I have a 2011 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel. Last weekend, some dirtbag unbolted and removed my catalytic converter from my truck while it was parked in my driveway. I didn't discover the theft until I started my truck on Tuesday morning. While I was reporting this to the sheriff, he stated that these thefts were becoming increasingly common, especially in Dodge diesels. I did a Google search and discovered several news stories from the US and Canada regarding the sudden increase in Dodge diesel cat converter thefts. These in particular seem to be popular because they are easy to steal and are very large, and contain more precious metals than smaller ones. The replacement at my local dealer totaled $3300 dollars.Keep an eye on your truck, park it in your garage if possible, and report suspicious activity in your neighborhood immediately. The converter takes less than 5 minutes to remove, and can be done with just a ratchet.The dealer said that they have seen several of these thefts recently, and now keep the parts in stock. They also tack welded the new one on to make it more difficult to remove. I would suggest that you get yours tacked on as well. It couldn't hurt...On a side note; As I drove it to the dealer, without the cat, the truck got 23 MPG....

Thieves have been known here in North Texas to hit full shopping center parking lots. They park next to the target vehicle(SUV or Trucks), step out, duck and roll under the target vehicle with an electric Sawzall. They are done in a short minute or two and gone before anyone knows anything. It's done in broad daylight and most folks are too busy to pay any mind.With the economy in the state it is in, no jobs and people losing their homes .. more and more are turning to alternative methods of making money .. scrap metal, automotive and electrical parts, not to mention the copper wire, are all favorable targets. We've even heard of them targeting residential outside air condition units. It's time to take personal and home safety to a higher level of awareness.

Good luck finding mine......lol

Windsor-Monaco wrote:Thieves have been known here in North Texas to hit full shopping center parking lots. They park next to the target vehicle(SUV or Trucks), step out, duck and roll under the target vehicle with an electric Sawzall. They are done in a short minute or two and gone before anyone knows anything. It's done in broad daylight and most folks are too busy to pay any mind.With the economy in the state it is in, no jobs and people losing their homes .. more and more are turning to alternative methods of making money .. scrap metal, automotive and electrical parts, not to mention the copper wire, are all favorable targets. We've even heard of them targeting residential outside air condition units. It's time to take personal and home safety to a higher level of awareness.X2 - low life's have also been stealing pick up tail gates around D/FW .

RAM converters are hot items due to the Unobtainium material they are made from. :B

Sad to hear you were a victim DanKirk :(SOB's will probably get mine.It's on the street in front of the house.I had it etched in 10 places so hopefully when the a-holes take it the trace back will show it's mine.I did tack the clamp nuts and ran a weld bead along the U bolts so they'd have to make some noise getting it off.

Dodge Diesel Owners: Beware of Cat Thieves!!!

28 Replies

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2013
this got me to wondering (and that is dangerous).

Who is making the most money, the legal or illegal stealer.

Also I always assumed that any self respecting thief would be using a saws all instead of trying to take pipes apart.
jliveit
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
Another good reason I took mine off and stored it in the garage besides making it run better, better mpg and not making oil. Big waste off time crawilng under mine just for some pipe.
64thunderbolt
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2013
Great idea. Cats are a hot item on any vehicle they can crawl under. Especially late model stuff. Most are bolted on. Your ins picked up part of it right? You can also go to your homeowners ins as it was in your drive.
deleted-2
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
Sad to hear you were a victim DanKirk :(

SOB's will probably get mine.
It's on the street in front of the house.

I had it etched in 10 places so hopefully when the a-holes take it the trace back will show it's mine.

I did tack the clamp nuts and ran a weld bead along the U bolts so they'd have to make some noise getting it off.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Aug 23, 2013
RAM converters are hot items due to the Unobtainium material they are made from. :B
F105
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
Windsor-Monaco wrote:
Thieves have been known here in North Texas to hit full shopping center parking lots. They park next to the target vehicle(SUV or Trucks), step out, duck and roll under the target vehicle with an electric Sawzall. They are done in a short minute or two and gone before anyone knows anything. It's done in broad daylight and most folks are too busy to pay any mind.

With the economy in the state it is in, no jobs and people losing their homes .. more and more are turning to alternative methods of making money .. scrap metal, automotive and electrical parts, not to mention the copper wire, are all favorable targets. We've even heard of them targeting residential outside air condition units.

It's time to take personal and home safety to a higher level of awareness.

X2 - low life's have also been stealing pick up tail gates around D/FW .
srt20
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
Good luck finding mine......lol
Windsor-Monaco
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
Thieves have been known here in North Texas to hit full shopping center parking lots. They park next to the target vehicle(SUV or Trucks), step out, duck and roll under the target vehicle with an electric Sawzall. They are done in a short minute or two and gone before anyone knows anything. It's done in broad daylight and most folks are too busy to pay any mind.

With the economy in the state it is in, no jobs and people losing their homes .. more and more are turning to alternative methods of making money .. scrap metal, automotive and electrical parts, not to mention the copper wire, are all favorable targets. We've even heard of them targeting residential outside air condition units.

It's time to take personal and home safety to a higher level of awareness.

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Dodge Diesel Owners: Beware of Cat Thieves!!!

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