Recommendations for anti catalytic convertor theft devices for 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 5.7L Hemi?

483 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by redwheelwells, 3 mo ago

redwheelwells

Does anybody have recommendations for anti-catalytic-convertor-theft devices for my 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 5.7L Hemi? I haven't consulted a shop manual or taken a very close look around/under my skid plates, but I've heard that my GC model has 2 or 3 convertors that would need such protection--and I figured that if anybody would have such recommendations, you folks would. Edit: I haven't found much online about such device availablity that is very confidence-inspiring.

I have an enclosed private 2-car garage within my condo complex, but my planned work on my dwelling will require full use of my garage for staging said dwelling work---and thus I'll most-practically be parking on the street overnight for at least a few nights. There have been multiple catalytic convertor thefts on that street in the past. I might end up parking several miles across town in a friend's available garage, but I'd rather avoid that.
Thanks.

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valiant67

· #2 · 3 mo ago

Many CDJ vehicles have the converters tucked up away nicely making them hard to steal. I know my last Dakota and the Wrangler/Gladiator is that way.
I’d look underneath to see if they are vulnerable.
But keep in mind any easy to install protection can easily be cut through using the same saw they use to cut the converter off.

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paullybob

· #3 · 3 mo ago

Try leaving your garage floor wet and running a 30 amp/240 volt charge along the floor with a kill switch INSIDE THE HOUSE....fried the little buggers where they lay!!!

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ImperialCrown

· #4 · 3 mo ago

A skid plate or belly-pan may obscure access to the cat enough to discourage theft? I'm sure that law enforcement & insurance companies have helpful solutions.

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redwheelwells

Discussion Starter · #5 · 3 mo ago

Thanks guys.

Apparently the included-factory-equipment skid plates on my GC Trailhawk still leave the convertors exposed, though slightly recessed from the plane of the skid plates---left exposed perhaps due to heat-related operation parameters of the convertors?

Law enforcement "tips" include etching the VIN number onto the convertor, but that hasn't been very effective in the case of past such theafts on my street! Some of the perps have been caught/penalized using VINs, but that's AFTER the convertors were cut out and stolen!

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Dave Z

· #6 · 3 mo ago (Edited by Moderator)

If the police catch them, there are fewer of them, so VIN etching is a good idea. Obviously going after the next step up in the theft chain, the fences, would help more!

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redwheelwells

Discussion Starter · #7 · 3 mo ago

VIN etching might be a better idea than doing nothing, but recovering from such a theft involves thousands of dollars of expense, days of inconvenience, etc.---It's not like, say, driving to the gas station and filling your tank back up with fuel!
I probably should just count on parking across town in my friend's garage for the applicable few days.

Another salt in the wound is that one has to pay for a permit to park overnight on the street here, or you get a hefty ticket. The police are very much better at giving those tickets than they are at preventing convertor thefts/catching the perps! I've often seen tickets on vehicle windows on my street in the morning!

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