Catalytic Converters - The New Gold

FastTrax

FastTrax

Well-known Member
 

Last edited:
It's been going on for a long time now.... and they're so fast these thieves..

The UK , has tried to stem the tide by making it illegal for any scrap metal or second hand car dealers to buy a used Catalytic converter.. but it's made little difference..
 
I like the video. Only problem here and in Miami-Dade County is the gangs are working with repo tow truck companies.
 
Here in Pennsylvania, we have had a lot of converters stolen. The last report I saw there was a short increase in 2022.
 
FastTrax said:
I like the video. Only problem here and in Miami-Dade County is the gangs are working with repo tow truck companies.
Click to expand...
Catalytic converter thefts started trending several years ago. And like most stolen autos and parts it usually takes corruption with in the auto industry itself wether it's towing companies, junk yards, shops etc. it takes someone in the industry in someway to make it profitable or easier.

Amateur theives/junkies tend to follow trends.
 
WhatInThe said:
Catalytic converter thefts started trending several years ago. And like most stolen autos and parts it usually takes corruption with in the auto industry itself wether it's towing companies, junk yards, shops etc. it takes someone in the industry in someway to make it profitable or easier.

Amateur theives/junkies tend to follow trends.
Click to expand...
Every once in a while the idiots kill them selves while trying to steal copper wires from electric transformer stations. Sort of poetic justice, except that in most cases the local power grid goes out due to the guy that was killed. A recent fatal accident involved a guy being crushed to death while under a van trying to cut out the convertor. The van was only supported by a single small car jack, which fell over on him. Some shops are now installing a steel cage that is welded around the convertor, to make it harder to steal. A replacement cat convertor can cost up to $2,000 to replace on a big engine SUV or pick up truck. JImB.
 
I remember in the late 1980s and early 90s air bag thefts became popular because they were so expensive to replace after an accident. If I'm not mistaken part of the reason for the steering lock was the air bag thefts being the bar covers it.

I've heard about the steel cage. The larger vehicles I'd get one because there already slighty higher. Some of the thieves get quick but the problem is many are one trick ponies and can't adjust if something goes wrong or realize the conditions will lead to failure ie the cars falling on thieves-oh well.
 
WhatInThe said:
I remember in the late 1980s and early 90s air bag thefts became popular because they were so expensive to replace after an accident. If I'm not mistaken part of the reason for the steering lock was the air bag thefts being the bar covers it.

I've heard about the steel cage. The larger vehicles I'd get one because there already slighty higher. Some of the thieves get quick but the problem is many are one trick ponies and can't adjust if something goes wrong or realize the conditions will lead to failure ie the cars falling on thieves-oh well.
Click to expand...
Another target for theft are the dashboard clusters from low mileage newer vehicles. The deal goes like this. A used car dealer has a good looking car, but the miles are way too high. Buy a used cluster, install and voila, the car now has a low mileage figure. In Ontario that kind of thing is easy to catch, because each time a vehicle is sold, either privately or through a dealer, the exact mileage in the dash board is registered with the Ministry of Transport, or the transfer won't go through the computer system.

Here if you buy a used vehicle the seller has to provide an official print out of the history of the vehicle and it's mileage, going back to the day it was first registered in Ontario. The work around is to move the vehicle to another Province, like Quebec, and register it there, with the new but false mileage numbers. Gone are the days of spinning speedos back using a electric drill. JImB.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top