Catalytic converter security shield

I am concerned about the 4 cats getting stolen off of my 2021, or at least the front ones (and my sons 2006 4Runner) in light of the exponential rise of such thefts around the country, especially in trucks and SUVs (and the friggin insane replacement costs), so I will be buying some cat plates. I will likely go with Desert Eagle Offroad in Dallas for my Tundra shield. I talked with the owner Kent. Seems a real solid, experienced guy. He said he's been making these for 9 years and he can barely keep up with demand, including dealer purchases. The total cost to me, including the security ("S") Torx bolts - delivered to me in Houston - would be $350. It is powder coated 10 gauge steel, 45 pounds, and mounts with four bolts between the two cross members. Per Ken, it will block removal of the front cats and the rear cats will be covered on the upstream front end side (so a thief trying to remove the rear ones is greatly impeded.

(1) Anyone installed a DEO shield?
(2) This is probably a foolish question, but am I safe in assuming that the 45 pound weight is of no concern in terms of sag, ride quality, or premature wear of components?

Feedback is appreciated from the Tundra family !

 

If I was you, I would go with the valhallas sheild, for the simple fact that the DE plate only does half the job. Your rear cats will still be completely exposed. If you are dead set on the DE plate, at a minimum, you should order the Valhallas rear extender plate to cover the rear cats.

 

If you’re going to go with full protection I would highly recommend all aluminum. It dissipates heat better than steel. Covering all four CATS also covers your transmission which could overheat if not properly ventilated.

This is what Toyota recommended for longevity of the truck.

 

^^

Also, Valhalla offers aluminum plates for more not heaviness.

 

I have the full steel setup and have had 0 issues with heat, even without a tranny cooler. However, I will be adding a tranny cooler soon anyway since it SHOULD be there anyway and cooler is always better. I have already bashed them pretty hard and the steel didnt even get a dent. I think the weight difference is pretty minimal in the grand scheme of things.

 

Thanks for the input MadMaxCanon. As I noted, unless I missed something, mounint a shield like this (between the two cross beams) covers the front portion of the rear cats and keep a thief from being able to cut off both ends of the rear cats.

 

got the Valhalla front and rear plate installed last week. I can park it knowing it will take a lot of work for someone to cut thru those plates. is your '21 a 4x4 or a 2x4? I recall reading that the Valhalla rear plate doesn't protect very well for a 2x4.

 

I looked at these folks' too:
Talons Garage | Catalytic converter protection |

 

Mine is a 2021 4x4 (not the TRD)

 

okay you will be fine.

 

There was a post on the Valhalla thread about a RWD Desert Eagle plate owner that had the plate installed and had the cats stolen, they just cut before and after the plate and snaked them out. The 2WD Tundras have a lot more empty space up there vs 4WD that fills the space with transfer case and front drive shaft and front diff.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/val...-and-ordering-post.84911/page-83#post-2490053

 

Dang

 

Don't give this guy your money... many different posts/threads on it.
Go with Valhalla. @Classy63 is amazing to work with, great communication, and an honest dude. Just look at all the posts in his thread. Dude does everything he can to be transparent and get you a great product. I have the thinner steel plates for front and rear. Feel safe leaving my truck outside and have not noticed any decrease in ride quality or mpg.

 

Why not? Has there been any issues with them other than he allegedly stole Valhallas design? Not being a smart ass or trying to start a debate, just curious if theres been issues with his product or customer service?

 

That, he's been unresponsive. Just seems shady. I'm not saying he is. But given the choice between supporting someone who is actively on this forum and is as open as Tyler is at Valhalla, and supporting some unknown entity that flaked after 1 post on this forum when people raised issues about their experience. I know where I'd put my money, and I did lol

 

I have the DE front shield and the Valhalla rear shield. The truck won't even notice the weight.

 

Yep. Go with Valhalla’s Shield front and back covers and spend the extra couple hundred bucks on your ‘21 truck (it’s worth it) and then rest easy!

 

He used to work for the old company known as OrFab. That's where his design came from. His communication was hit and miss. Sometimes he would respond to your text, sometimes not. One week he was making mass orders for dealers, the next week he says he wasn't going to any longer because he couldn't keep up. I have the DE shield because one of the other members on here had a lead to a dealer that had them in stock, and Valhalla was not on the forum yet at that time. Otherwise, I would have both Valhalla plates.

 

You folks are too cool. Thanks.

I also have had some frustration with correspondence with Talon's Garage.

I see on the Valhalla site...
Aluminum front cat theft deterrent/transmission plate (valhallasshields.com)

...that the front and rear aluminum shields are offered in 3/16 or a 1/4" . Who thinks that 3/16" aluminum plate be a bit on the bendable, "cuttable" side?

I reached out to Tyler at Valhalla and he notes that the use of just the front shield will leave the rear cats totally vulnerable (I was assuming that the rear cats would be partially covered if just the front shield was used)

BTW - Do thieves target the rear cats? It is my understanding that the front ones are the big prize in terms of precious metals that they can sell...

 

I have steel on mine. Yes, they will target front and rear cats.

 

I have the aluminum front and rear plate, 3/16. the front plate has a very very very slight wobble if you push up against it, other than that, it is durable. I took it to some med trail last weekend and nothing happened to it. And since you have the 4x4, make sure to remove the black case on your transfer case when installing the rear plates else you are going to notice vibration.

 

No issues combining the different brands of shields and fitment?

My dealer is putting some kind of shield on mine when my cats come in.
I don't know the brand name.
I would buy front and rear from Valhalla, but I can't wait for them.
Being my theft happened at my employment parking lot, I don't want to go one day without something covering something.

But I considered adding Valhalla's rear cover..

 

If you are from Texas, it is likely the DE plate. Ken said the dealerships in Texas were snatching up his plates fast. That also means your rear cats will be exposed.

 

Can you have your employer pay for the repairs since it happened on their property?

 

No issues at all. It's just a matter of drilling holes. I have mine where the bolts go through both plates. I did the same with the RCI. My front plate has 8 bolts total IIRC.....I'll have to look.

 

3/16 Aluminum here and they are going on tomorrow but just from opening the packaging they seem very strong and Tyler has stated that they are not bendable - nothing is 100% bullet proof if someone wants your cats but mine are bright red and relay the message to move on to the next truck…

 

I have front/rear 1/8 shields and front skid plate. I can tell you they work. Long story short, I parked in a unlit parking lot for several hours one night, someone tried to steel my cats. They tried to unbolted the rear shield and only got the rear right bolt out and gave up. I found the bolt and nut cast aside and reinstall it the next morning. Police came and told me how lucky I was to have the shields, if not I’d be waiting on new cats….

 

I'm glad I went with security bolts on mine.

 

I upgraded two weeks ago.

 

That's awesome kittyhawk. For the front and rear 1/8" steel plates, that is a total of sixty-some pounds. Do you notice that in the ride or handling?
BTW - I see a Buffalo Texas reference in your member info. Do you know any Burtons up there? I used to work with one of the sons.