The primary and secondary catalytic converters are both found in the mid-pipe assembly on Tacomas with four cylinders. You can either get rid of the secondary converter or both converters by using aftermarket mid-pipes.
High flow converters can also take the place of one or both converters. You’ll need some more hardware to trick the oxygen sensors if you opt to remove both converters. The check engine light will continue to be on the dash without these accessories.
The primary converters are integrated into the exhaust manifolds, while the two secondary converters are situated in the mid-pipe on V6 trucks. The secondary converters can be fully removed, resonators added, or high-flow converters can be used in their place with the help of an aftermarket mid-pipe. The oxygen sensors can be screwed into these pipes using bungs. As a result, the system can be used without the check engine light being on.
Consider the repercussions if you are fully removing ANY catalytic converter. These configurations are solely intended for usage off-road. In states with safety and/or emissions inspection programs, removing any catalytic converter may make your car ineligible for inspection.
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Do thieves target Toyota Tacomas while stealing catalytic converters?
However, not all catalytic converters are sought-after by thieves. Some models are more valuable because they include more precious metals. Other cars purify exhaust fumes more effectively, so the valuable metals in their converters aren’t rusted or tainted as much.
If you drive one of the following makes or models, you might want to adjust how you park or make a purchase to secure your catalytic converter:
Toyota Prius
For Prius hybrid vehicles manufactured between 2004 and 2009, catalytic converter theft reportedly surged 40-fold in 2020. In comparison to less than 0.1% in 2016, almost 6% of insured ’04-’09 Prius owners filed insurance claims for Prius converter theft over the previous 24 months. This is due to the regular second-generation Toyota Prius catalytic converter’s (CD3+EA6) average scrap price of nearly $1,000.
It’s riskier to purchase an older Prius because catalytic converter changes might be expensive as well. In extreme cases, a catalytic converter thief might also cause damage to other crucial parts, which might even cause the automobile to be written off. You obviously don’t want this to occur to you.
If you have an earlier Prius model, you might want to sell it and buy a more recent model that is less likely to be broken into. Even a 2017 Prius is a wiser purchase because it still gets good fuel economy and their catalytic converter can be scrapped for less than $500, making the risk of theft much reduced.
Trucks
Trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Tacoma are common candidates for converter theft because of their greater ride height. Thieves may simply slide underneath the car, remove the catalytic converter, and go on their way without having to jack it up.
Hybrid Vehicles
The most vulnerable vehicles to catalytic converter theft are hybrid SUVs and automobiles. This covers all hybrid automobiles, including the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, RAV4 Hybrid, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Always protect your hybrid car against cat theft by adhering to the advice below.
Catalytic converters for Tacomas are they stolen?
1 077 catalytic converter thefts were reported to Tacoma Police Department in 2021 as opposed to 191 in 2020. It is challenging to prosecute the offense since thieves may remove catalytic converters in just a few minutes, and automobile owners frequently don’t realize the theft occurred until hours later.
What is the scrap value of a Toyota Tacoma catalytic converter?
Oh no! I’m sad to learn that this is taking place in your community. When sold as scrap, Toyota catalytic converters can fetch between $75 and $700. Depending on the brand and model of the car, a catalytic converter’s value can change.
The Toyota Prius has some of the most expensive catalytic converters. These are among the items that are most frequently stolen because they are made of precious metals, such as:
- Palladium
- Platinum
- Rhodium
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How much is a catalytic converter for a Toyota Tacoma worth?
Replacement catalytic converters for Toyota Tacomas typically cost between $1,212 and $1,249. While parts are priced between $1,110 and $1,121, labor is predicted to cost between $102 and $128.
What can I do to keep my catalytic converter from being stolen?
Use a locked garage, regularly shift your car’s place, or park in well-lit areas close to exits for the general public. Install a theft prevention device. Install cameras and motion-activated lights in your parking area. Some local police departments even provide free painting programs to dissuade purchasers by painting your catalytic converter.
Why are catalytic converters for Tacomas stolen?
A catalytic converter is a component of the exhaust system of a car. Its function is to change the harmful exhaust gases that an engine emits into gases that are better for the environment.
According to NICB data, California is the most frequently targeted state for converter thefts. Although the profile is similar across the country, Californians favor hybrid vehicles due to high petrol prices and tight pollution regulations.
How simple is a Toyota Tacoma to steal?
Both a blessing and a curse stem from the success of Toyota trucks. They are capable, dependable, and robust. They have a high resale value. There are many components that can be used with other Toyota models. As a result, they are highly desired by many thieves.
It’s not extremely simple to steal a Tacoma. Exactly the same as any other contemporary pickup vehicle. However, due of their great demand, thieves are prepared to make the effort to steal them. Sadly, there are many dishonest people in the world who will do everything to make money.
Tacomas are stolen for a variety of reasons, not just because they are well-liked in other parts of the world. The fact that many of its pieces are interchangeable is another justification. Additionally, they have a reputation for lasting a very long time, making replacement parts more appealing. Replacement parts are in high demand since they are likely worth repairing even when they are worn out.
Toyota trucks are frequently stolen, moved to other nations, and then sold. In Canada, this was a significant issue a few years ago. All types of vehicles, including Tundras, Tacomas, 4Runners, Sequoias, and FJ Cruisers, were being stolen and sent abroad, primarily to the Middle East.
My acquaintance, who works at a Toyota dealership, informed me that one night four Tundras and a Sequoia went gone. Additionally, he claimed that the same night, several trucks were stolen from at least 2 nearby Toyota businesses. It was evident that a professional team had organized the scheme.
Another coworker of mine had his gorgeous black FJ Cruiser, which was also a manual, stolen while he was spending the weekend in Montreal. Fortunately, the cops located it; they discovered it at a loading dock, preparing to be placed into a shipping container alongside several other Toyota trucks.
The anti-theft measures used by Toyota today are quite good. I suppose they were. But thieves aren’t easily discouraged, and they developed new strategies for getting around these defenses.
Which automobiles are most susceptible to having their catalytic converters stolen?
Despite the fact that thefts of catalytic converters are frequently crimes of opportunity, many criminals target particular vehicles because of the cost of the catalytic converter, the prevalence of the vehicles, and the ease with which the catalytic converter may be accessed.
CARFAX discovered that the following automobiles are the most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft by consulting their partner repair facilities:
These are merely the models, though, whose catalytic converters are stolen most frequently. Depending on a few additional conditions, your car may also be vulnerable to catalytic converter theft. Here is an example of the car kinds that are even more vulnerable to catalytic converter theft:
Luxury vehicles
With a staggering price tag of $3,770 per unit, the Ferrari F430 wins the Most Valuable Catalytic Converter Award. Given that the F430 has two converters, they make for a sizable target for thieves.
Catalytic converters for Lamborghinis are likewise exceedingly expensive, costing on average $3,000 each.
Hybrid vehicles
The catalytic converter of a car tends to be more valued the more emission-friendly the vehicle is. The entire cost of these automobiles rises because they require more of the pricey metal palladium.
Older vehicles
Catalytic converters in larger, older automobiles are more valuable than those in newer, more efficient vehicles because to their concentration of valuable metals and general lack of environmental friendliness.
SUVs and trucks
Two factors influence the targeting of larger vehicles and SUVs. First off, a bigger engine translates into a more expensive catalytic converter. For instance, at a startling $2,000, the catalytic converters on the Dodge Ram 2500 are almost as valuable as those on Ferraris.
Second, their height from the ground makes it simpler for thieves to steal their converters.
Other models with valuable catalytic converters
Of course, there are vehicles that don’t fit into any one category but feature catalytic converters that are more useful for a variety of reasons.
Cars lacking catalytic converters can still be driven.
The catalytic converter works as a component of an automobile’s exhaust system to lessen air pollution. Driving without a catalytic converter won’t in any way harm your engine or your vehicle.
Which automobiles are the most difficult to steal catalytic converters from?
The likelihood of a catalytic converter being stolen from a car is far lower if it is installed in the engine compartment. Catalysts are often less valuable for many American and some Asian auto companies. You can also purchase a car that is older, electric, diesel, or without a catalytic converter.
Certain Brand Cars
Due to the lower value of their catalytic converters, American brands like Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler are less likely to be stolen. This group includes several Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, and Subaru cars.
Many brands employed cat-inspired designs that constrained the amount of precious metals present. The majority of thieves conduct adequate research to know to avoid using these brands.
Cars with Converters in the Engine Compartment
Instead of being further back on the vehicle’s exhaust system, the catalytic converter is often positioned in the engine compartment of some vehicles. It is significantly more challenging for a burglar to take it because of this design.
Theft will move on to a different model since no one wants to put in the extra effort to get to these kitties. This category includes numerous automobiles, including those made by Audi, BMW, Honda, and Volkswagen.
Cars Built Before 1974
You don’t have to be concerned about catalytic converter theft if your car was made before 1974. None of these cars are equipped with catalytic converters.
Following that, the authorities started cleaning up the pollution. Therefore, having a catalytic converter was required for all automobiles.
Electric Cars
Catalytic converters reduce the emissions from gasoline or diesel fuel. As a result, vehicles that run on electricity do not have catalytic converters.
There is nothing to clean because the car isn’t generating gaseous waste. There will be no use of gas or diesel power while the battery is charged by plugging into a power source. Popular options include the Tesla Model S, Volkswagen e-gold, and Audi E-Tron.
Diesel Vehicles
Compared to gasoline-powered automobiles, diesel vehicles employ a different kind of catalytic converter. The majority of converter burglars are aware that these aren’t as valuable as gas catalytic converters.
In most cases, rhodium, palladium, or platinum are not used in the construction of diesel converters or so-called particle filters. Thieves frequently abandon the diesel vehicle because they are after these rich metals instead.