Catalytic Converter - Steel Bash Plates

[Dmbleist]

Hey everyone - I have a BS Badlands edition. There have been an increasing number of catalytic converter thefts in my neighborhood. Besides obvious security measures I’m already taking, I was wondering if anyone was educated with the bottom of the Bronco Sport to ease my mind. Is the catalytic converter just as easily accessible in the BS as other cars? What about the Badlands with the steel bash plates under the body - does this cause more protection from easily accessing the catalytic converter? I’m hearing these thefts occur in less than ONE MINUTE!!!! And extremely expensive. Just curious, interested in the conversation! Thanks in advance!

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[PaulOinMA]

Fordtechmaculoco mentions in a video that some are having additional metal welded on either side of easily accessed converters.

 

[Dmbleist]

Fordtechmaculoco mentions in a video that some are having additional metal welded on either side of easily accessed converters.

I see other threads but no one seems to have a precise answer unless I missed it…but I’m mostly just wondering about the anatomy of the base of the vehicle and if it’s easy to get to

 

[PaulOinMA]

It's a video about F-150 converter theft on his youtube page. The thieves removed the pre-muffler instead of the converter. Pretty funny.

 

[FakeCowboy]

I see other threads but no one seems to have a precise answer unless I missed it…but I’m mostly just wondering about the anatomy of the base of the vehicle and if it’s easy to get to

It's very easy to get to the secondary catalytic converter. JCR Offroad makes a really nice piece that would ward off would be thieves. It's also a lot cheaper than the $1k plus it would cost to replace that with an OEM cat.

 

[Glamdring70]

The secondary cat is just hanging out right in view. You can see it by bending down and looking under the car. A lot of places have started making anti-cat-thieves devices. They're useless. I've seen pics posted where they just went through the plate or rebar before taking the cat.

Park in a garage when possible.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Hey everyone - I have a BS Badlands edition. There have been an increasing number of catalytic converter thefts in my neighborhood. Besides obvious security measures I’m already taking, I was wondering if anyone was educated with the bottom of the Bronco Sport to ease my mind. Is the catalytic converter just as easily accessible in the BS as other cars? What about the Badlands with the steel bash plates under the body - does this cause more protection from easily accessing the catalytic converter? I’m hearing these thefts occur in less than ONE MINUTE!!!! And extremely expensive. Just curious, interested in the conversation! Thanks in advance!

It’s very easily accessible. Get it protected if not parked in the garage. The JCR solution looks like a winner to me.

 

[69cuda340s]

JCR Offroad plate maybe add Blue Loctite to the plates bolt threads that makes thieves job tough they likely just move on to an easier vehicle....

 

[cprcubed]

I put the JCR Cat Skid on my Big Bend more for theft protection than offroad protection. Cheers!

 

[Maxwellian]

I don’t think think the real pros are going after our low yield secondary cat when there are hybrids, larger vehicles, and just accessible primary cats that are a bigger jackpot. I think the JCR skid adds enough time to make the average tweaker move on to an easier target. Anyone determined enough to get through that seems likely to pick a target that’s a part north of 2k new instead of 500 bucks

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I don’t think think the real pros are going after our low yield secondary cat when there are hybrids, larger vehicles, and just accessible primary cats that are a bigger jackpot. I think the JCR skid adds enough time to make the average tweaker move on to an easier target. Anyone determined enough to get through that seems likely to pick a target that’s a part north of 2k new instead of 500 bucks

Agreed, anything to slow them down is a deterrent. I’m not so sure about how smart they are about all the models. I’m sure they know the ones that are prime, but will they know the Sport one easily accessed is not? After all, we are not talking the best and the brightest here!

 

[69cuda340s]

Agreed, anything to slow them down is a deterrent. I’m not so sure about how smart they are about all the models. I’m sure they know the ones that are prime, but will they know the Sport one easily accessed is not? After all, we are not talking the best and the brightest here!

Some thieves are organized crime who know which vehicles are high value. Other thieves just steal at random for drug money.

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