Because of the external location and the use of valuable precious metals
including _platinum_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platinum) , _palladium_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palladium) , and _rhodium_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodium) ,  converters are a target for thieves. The problem is
especially common among  late-model _Toyota_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota)   _trucks_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck)  and _SUVs_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUV) ,  because of their high ground clearance and easily
removed bolt-on catalytic  converters. Welded-in converters are also at risk
of theft from SUVs and trucks,  as they can be easily removed._[20]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter#cite_note-19) _[21]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter#cite_note-20)   Theft removal of the
converter can often inadvertently damage the car's wiring  or fuel line
resulting in dangerous consequences. Rises in metal costs in the  U.S. during
recent years have led to a large increase in theft incidents of the
converter,_[22]_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter#cite_note-21)
which can then cost as much as $1,000 to replace._[23]_
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter#cite_note-22)

they hit a storage lot for a car auction place around here and got 75 of  t
hem in one nite. just battery powered sawall and cut them out.  some are
bringingh big $$$   later  mark d

In a message dated 8/14/2011 11:19:17 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
thargrav@HIWAAY.NET writes:

Some people  will do a lot for $300 profit in exchange for for 30 minutes of
work,  particularly when there are drugs involved!

Thanks, Tom  Hargrave
www.stir-plate.com
www.towercooler.com
www.kegkits.com

-----Original  Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]  On Behalf Of
Don Hanson
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2011 9:45 AM
To:  vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: Re: Converter thieves pass me  by

On Sun, Aug 14, 2011 at 7:35 AM, Tom Hargrave  <thargrav@hiwaay.net> wrote:

> The are stealing converters to  sell to dishonest muffler shops & they
sell
> them as new  replacements to their customers. There is not much demand for
> Vanagon  converters because of the van's age.
>
> Thanks, Tom  Hargrave
> www.stir-plate.com
> www.towercooler.com
>  www.kegkits.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>  From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of
> Stephen Grisanti
> Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2011 11:15  AM
> To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> Subject: Converter thieves  pass me by
>
> Just got an email from our next door neighbor  alerting us that the
> catalytic
> converter was stolen from his  Honda Pilot some time in the last 48 hours.
I
> noticed exhaust  flatulence when he drove off yesterday morning and never
> suspected  that problem. My heart sank immediately, though, as I recalled
my
>  Westy up on ramps in the driveway butt out to the alley as the Pilot
also
> parks.  "Great," I thought, "I just should have left my  Sawzall plugged
in
> for them to make the removal quicker and  easier."  Guess they were
> brand-specific and not responding to  the "Cash for old platinum" ads on
TV.
>
> Took the van off the  ramps and turned it around so the tail is now
against
> the fence, just  in case, but it might have been worth it if they had
> removed
>  the entire exhaust system that needs to be replaced.
>
>  Stephen
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked  by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1382 / Virus Database: 1520/3831 -  Release Date: 08/13/11
>

That is just plain weird!  Of  all the things to steal, why would someone
crawl under a vehicle and saw  off the cat. converter?
-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked  by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1382 / Virus Database: 1520/3833 -  Release Date: 08/14/11