2021 was a record setting year here in the US for catalytic converter theft and 2022 is shaping up to be no better.
You’ll read in the news of “most stolen” catalytic converters on cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Element. In reality, no vehicle is safe. I even had the catalytic converter stolen off of a twenty year old POS Honda Accord a few years back.
A typical Toyota Tundra has 4 catalytic converters. There are two “front” catalytic converters close to the engine, and two a little further back underneath your truck. With more converters to steal and the fact that its easy to get under a Tundra without a jack, the Tundra is quickly becoming the thieve’s favorite.
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How Many Catalytic Converters Does a Toyota Tundra Have?
Toyota Tundras fall into different generations depending on the trucks model year. Each generation has a different configuration of catalytic converters. Earlier models have 2 catalytic converters, and later models have 4 catalytic converters.
1st Generation 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra Catalytic Converters
A typical 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra has 2 catalytic converters. There’s a catalytic converter under the truck, inline with the exhaust on both the passenger and driver’s side, right about where the front doors are. These converters are fully exposed and easy to steal.
2nd Generation 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra Catalytic Converters
The second generation covers 2007-2021 Toyota Tundras. Due to significant changes, some people refer to their 2014-2021 Tundras as the 2.5 generation Toyota Tundra.
The catalytic converter configurations are similar throughout the entire 2nd generation. A typical 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra has 4 catalytic converters. The passenger side is two catalytic converters separated by a short run of pipe all welded together as one part. Toyota calls this a monolithic catalytic converter. The drivers side converters are two separate parts bolted togeher.
You’ll often hear them referred to as front or primary catalytic converters, and rear or secondary catalytic converters.
Much like the 1st Generation, these catalytic converters are fully exposed and easy to steal.
3rd Generation 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra Catalytic Converters
A 2022 Toyota Tundra has 4 catalytic converters. There are two fronts, and two rears.
However, Toyota made substantial changes in the 2022 Tundra. The two front (primary) cats are tucked further into the engine, making it very difficult to steal. The two rear catalytic converters are still fully exposed and easy to steal.
Unfortunately, Toyota made both front and rear catalytic converters a single part, called a monolithic catalytic converter. If someone steals the the rear cat, you’ll need to replace the entire part.
Toyota Tundra Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost
If you’ve had one, two or all four catalytic converters stolen off your Toyota Tundra you already know how expensive they are to replace.
If you haven’t priced them out yet, you’re looking at a cost of $4000 – $7000 at a dealer. Even aftermarket catalytic converters for the Tundra aren’t cheap.
Quality replacements from Magnaflow and Walker can run over $1K, or $2k if you live in one of the CARB states.
If it hasn’t happened to you yet, you should be doing everything you can to prevent your catalytic converters from being stolen in the first place.
Earlier this year, we covered some general strategies to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen. You can read all of that here, but to get to the point: You’re going to want to make it as difficult as possible for a thief to steal the cats from your Tundra.
One of the best forms of catalytic converter protection is to use a physical anti-theft shield on your Toyota Tundra to make it more difficult to steal.
A few years ago, Tundra owners were limited to devices like the CatClamp for cat converter protection. The CatClamp created a hard to cut wire cage around your catalytic converter.
Unfortunately, the CatClamp was a universal fit. It looks a little sloppy, can be difficult to install and you needed one for each catalytic converter. For better or for worse, the popularity of Tundra catalytic converter theft has led several manufacturers to make catalytic converter covers and locks specifically for the Tundra.
Toyota Tundra Catalytic Converter Anti Theft Shields
There are a few commercially available options for the 2nd Gen 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra 2008-2021 Sequoia, and the new 3rd Gen 2022-2023 Tundra.
My clear favorite is the MillerCat Shield for catalytic converter protection, but your specific needs may be different. Here’s a rundown on what’s out there and some quick details on each.
Miller CatShield for Toyota Tundra and Toyota Sequoia.
- 3/16” Aluminum
- One option to fully protect front cats with some protection for the rears, or a full rear wing option for all 4 cat converters.
- Security Bolts included.
- In stock NOW and Free Shipping in the US (at time of writing)
- Highly rated for quality, ease of installation and even customer service
UPDATE: MillerCat heard about us and has offered us a discount code for our readers. Order your CatShield direct and use Discount Code : GEARIST
Talon’s 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra 2008-2021 Sequoia – Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Plate
- 1/4” Aluminum
- Separate options to protect either front cats, rear cats or both
- Optional Security Bolts
Valhalla’s Shield
- Choice of 3/16” or 1/4” Aluminum, 1/8″ or 3/16″ steel with powdercoating options
- Separate options to protect either front cats, rear cats or both
- Available for lifted Tundras
- No Security Bolts
Desert Eagle Offroad
- 10 gauge powdercoated steel (about 1/8” thick). Depending on your use, steel may be a better choice.
- No real website with details available.
What’s the best catalytic converter shield for the Toyota Tundra?
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve got a favorite. MillerCat has quickly evolved from providing cat shields for vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Honda Elements, taking what they’ve learned and have expanded their product line.
Although the MillerCat Shield for Tundra is made of a heavy gauge aluminum, If you’re looking for a bomb-proof, rock crawling, skid plate for your Tundra, i’d say shop around for something that fits that specific need.
The Miller Shield acts as a mild skid plate, but Off-Road experts they’re not. They are really good at protecting catalytic converters though.
Photo by MillerCAT
Unlike a single, flat shield, the MillerCat CatShield for Tundra and Sequoia have extra “wings” to box in your catalytic converters.
The five things I like about the Miller CatShield
1) Designed for the Tundra and Sequoia
Unlike “one size fits all” catalytic converter cages like the CatClamp, or CatStrap, the Miller CatShield is specifically designed to fit the 2007-2023 Toyota Tundras and 2008-2023 Toyota Sequoia. Different models for 2WD and 4WD Tundras and those equipped with TRD Skid Plates. No hacks, no workarounds.
Photo by MillerCAT
The Miller CatShield fully covers your Tundra’s front catalytic converters, and protects the rears by covering access to the front of the rear converters, eliminating overkill in the shield design.
It just fits and looks clean, almost like a factory part.
Made of 3/16” aluminum, not only will this protect your catalytic converters from theft, but will act as a “skid plate” too.
2) Thermal Testing
When I first heard of the Miller CatShield I was looking at catalytic converter shields for a Toyota Prius.
Being a high target vehicle, there are a few manufacturers making shields for the Prius, and none talked about Thermal testing.
Catalytic converters rely on heat to do their job of converting hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide to less harmless exhaust. A lot of heat.
Catalytic converters are made to operate at a range of 500-1200 degrees fahrenheit. Unfortunately too much heat for too long can work in the negative and ruin your catalytic converter.
Miller Cat Shields have gone through iterations of testing to make sure that your cat gets proper airflow under operation to vent that extra heat, protecting your catalytic converter from damage.
3) Proprietary security hardware for fastening the shield to your Tundra / Sequoia.
Other catalytic converter protection shields use off the shelf hardware like standard bolts and rivets to attach the device to your vehicle. Miller uses tamper-proof screws on all mounting points. These are a patented design that you cannot purchase off the market. The hardware its recessed into the shield so it can’t be easily ground off.
Photo by MillerCAT
Here’s a closeup of the Miller CatShield tamper proof security bolts. These are a patented design that aren’t available off market. Added plus: They’re recessed into the shield so they can’t easily be ground off.
4) Easy Installation.
Professional installation is recommended, but if you’re comfortable working under your truck (and follow all safety procedures!!!) installation is pretty straight forward and should take about an hour using a few hand tools. Take a look at the instructions and see if it’s a DIY job for you.
If you don’t have one, you’ll need a riv nut tool and can pick one up directly from Miller or grab an inexpensive one from Amazon. Other than that, you’ll need some kind of a 1/4” bit driver for the hardware and a 12mm open end wrench.
An extra hand to hold the shield in place is a big help, but can be done without
5) Excellent support direct from a US based company.
Let’s face it, this is the kind of thing you never want to have to worry about ever again.
However, stuff happens along the way… a question about install, maybe damage during shipping or missing hardware. MillerCat is a US based company, with a US phone number with excellent customer service and support.
Overall
Don’t wait until it happens to you. Whatever device you choose to protect your Tundra’s catalytic converters, do SOMETHING to protect yourself.
With a bunch of choices, there’s something for everyone out there depending on needs.
None of these solutions are exactly inexpensive, but compared to the cost and hassle of replacing your Catalytic Converters, it almost seems like a bargain.
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