Installed Catalytic Converter Plate Today - Found a great / inexpensive option

So I have seen several posts both here and on NextDoor about people, specifically Tundra owners, having their Catalytic Converters cut out and then the nightmare of dealing with Insurance and replacement wait.

So I came across a great guy locally here in D/FW that is selling an excellent plate for only $275 bare steel / $400 powdercoated.

GForce Metalworks
817.475.6905

Here's his ad:

And he isn't joking. While some other brands either won't cover the rear cats, or you have to buy a second plate to cover the rears, his covers the whole thing with (4) carriage bolts

So he cut me one in a just a few hours, bare steel and I took it home and installed it. Before I put it in, I did cover it in truck bed liner (I had some left over from another project). Don't know if this is a bad idea or not, time will tell.

Anyways, install really was only about 30 minutes once I had a battle plan.

Bare steel ($275 picked up)

bed-lined:

First, Install the two rear carriage bolts with rubber spacers:

Then I put the shield on a Harbor Freight furniture dolly, as Nathan recommended. I went ahead and built it up using spare lumber:


From there, I was able to hang the rears first, and then just pop the bolts in the front. I used a cordless ratchet with a 15mm head and went to town, they torqued up really well and there is no movement. I am going to re-torque everything in a few days.


I cannot describe the feeling of peace that I now have. Too many stories of getting hit at night, or in broad daylight. Sure, they are not 100% safe from a determined person, but it'll make enough noise and buy me enough time to get outside with my rifle.

So if you are in the D/FW area or passing through, definitely purchase this Cat shield. It is solid and comes with great hardware.

 

Looks good Bud.

 

Those rear cats are still easily accessible.

 

I don’t see how. They can’t possibly cut forward of either rear cat. There is still a big cross member in the way of a clean cut

 

Nicely done!

I was blown away about the piece of mind the protection brought.

 

If you guys see a weakness in my design, I am all ears. There is no way to get a saws all forward of the rear cats. My idea was to have a simple, effective design at a decent price. Once the a-holes see the plate, they are not going to devise a plan to bypass it, they will just move to the next Tundra. Thank you so much Brian for the good review!!

 

I think the idea is the really inconvenience/deter the general thief. If you live in a neighborhood, there are several other vehicles unprotected out there. At the very least this will deter the average cat thief. It looks stout too. Good job.

 

Looks great!

 

Thank you!! It is 11ga cold roll steel. I cannot imagine the noise there would and how long it would take if they tried to cut a 48x40 steel plate with a sawsall.

 

Sorry to derail this thread.

@Gforcemetalworks do you have a website? I did a Google search and see a location in both Haslet and Tolar but the companies seem different.

 

No problem. I am in Haslet. I do all of my “advertising” on Facebook and instagram(@Gforcemetalworks). I have a full time job and more metalwork business than I can keep up with. My wife says I need a webpage, I told her I need 40more hours in a week…lol. I do mostly art and custom signs. This project was born out of necessity when they hit 3 Tundras at my work in broad daylight on a very busy road.

 

Sounds good. I don't need anything currently. But it never hurts to know a good metal shop, and I'm always down to support forum members

 

Would you consider shipping this item? Rather thank picking it up.

 

Not as of now. If demand is high enough, I might consider it. I would have to source suitable boxes, etc.

 

I understand, thanks

 

I agree.
For the cost and if it's readily available, it's not a bad option.
I think it's bigger than most single plates out there..

Living in DFW if I didn't already have plates, I would certainly consider it..

 

Looks like a quality option. If you were in the Houston area I would definitely consider.

 

If you can round up 3 more people, I could meet you halfway for a small fee y’all could split. I already have another person in Houston that wants one

 

Grab me one while you’re at it.

 

Looks like a great design Nate. How does 11 gauge cold rolled steel do with rusting in Texas weather in the bare steel state?Any feedback from past owners experience with bare steel install with rust and corrosion? $275 bare vs $400 powdered to help with outdoor elements. “Decisions”

Awesome Work!

Mark

 

It will rust in no time. The bare steel is geared toward the diy guy that wants to save a few bucks. for the $125 powder coat, you get a zinc primer stage followed by a wrinkle top coat

 

Mark, I have not put one on a TRD Pro yet. Prett sure it will work. If you are in DFW, I would be more than happy to compare the frame cross members to the other trim levels. Pretty sure that part is the same

 

As long as he isn't running a 6" lift, the cat plate should have no issues mounting up. I have a different cat plate mated with the TRD Pro skid without issues.

But it never hurts for you to see it yourself so you can guarantee fitment.

 

Thanks for the info Robert! I figured if it does not work, it could be made to fit with minimal modification on my part

 

I’m sitting at 4” total lift give or take. Stock 2” with the Readylift SST+2 kit. Powder coat is a must in Corpus Christi Tx Bay Area. I like that your design is one piece for all four CATS. Talons Garage design has good views but it’s two piece design for all CATS. I also have AMP Research powered steps and they use the rear crossbar outer hole closest to rear door. my rear outer crossbar holes are already being utilized in my case with steps. Your plate uses inner holes is what I can tell by review. Thanks for info. If I can get that way in the future I’ll hit you up in advance . I have family in area and I was going to ask them to possibly pick it up for me. if they swing this way for holidays! But definitely want to make sure design will work for my 2020 Tundra TRD Pro.

 

Ever thought about making one for us Gen1 guys? There don't seem to be a lot of options out there for us.

 

I would be interested in this as well, my dad drives the first year the tundra was ever made, although I don’t know how desirable his cats would be? He straight up may go no emissions at all when his emission requirements expire in three years.

 

I can't tell from the pics where the front bolts are for your sheild, but this would be your only issue:

TRD Pros have, well, TRD skid plates.

Tundras all have the same frame cross members and holes, etc..
Although your front plate holes would need to match up pretty precisely with the TRD skid plate bolts.
The bolt nuts are already a bitch to get on and tightened with the skid plate.
I'd guess your cat plate would add to that.
Depending on the thickness of your plate, one may want a longer bolt..
Your bolt holes may already line up with the TRD skid holes..

Instead of front 'holes', other vendors have front slots.
One would loosen the TRD skid bolts, then slide the shield between the frame and the skid plate, then retighten the skid bolts after everything is in place.

Not criticizing or critiquing, just letting you know what would be different with a TRD Pro.

I have a TRD Pro skid plate on my non-TRD Pro.
Here are some crappy pics of it..

 

Thank you for the info. If someone in DFW wants to spend a couple hours at my shop, I am quite sure I could come up with a solution to mate with the TRD skid plate. Again, thank you for the informative and helpful post!!