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

mich800
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
gbopp wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
RAM converters are hot items due to the Unobtainium material they are made from. :B

It cost the OP $3300 to have the Cat replaced. It sounds like it was imported from Pandora. :E

That is almost 100% more than my Ford DPF and I though those were expensive
powderman426
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
They hit a dealership near me in ohio and worked the whole weekend taking them off. Dealer said they were $6k each and they got dozens of them.
phenrichs
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
If they crawl under mine they will get a surprise.
BurbMan
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2013
JRS & B wrote:
Remember about 15 years ago when a device called "THE CLUB" was very popular to deter car thieves. It was the device that went on your steering wheel.

Then the battery powered saws came on the market. All a thief had to do was cut the steering heel in one place, push down on the wheel and slip the CLUB out.

Damn thieves are so ingenious. It truly is unfortunate that booby traps are illegal. Theft could almost be eliminated overnight.

Even before then the thieves figured out they could cut the steering wheel with bolt cutters.
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2013
OP lives in Kali and cannot register his truck without it!
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2013
Why would anybody be upset about their catalytic converter being missing? Many Dodge owners remove them on purpose for better power, mileage, and engine longevity.
JRS___B
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
Remember about 15 years ago when a device called "THE CLUB" was very popular to deter car thieves. It was the device that went on your steering wheel.

Then the battery powered saws came on the market. All a thief had to do was cut the steering heel in one place, push down on the wheel and slip the CLUB out.

Damn thieves are so ingenious. It truly is unfortunate that booby traps are illegal. Theft could almost be eliminated overnight.
gbopp
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
FishOnOne wrote:
RAM converters are hot items due to the Unobtainium material they are made from. :B

It cost the OP $3300 to have the Cat replaced. It sounds like it was imported from Pandora. :E
stuckinthesand
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
Cat thieves have hit my employer in south Dallas several times recently, their using one of those carbide cable saws, putting it in a backpack and walking off in the crowd.
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2013
I would consider a heavy skid plate to prevent a repeat!

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Dodge Diesel Owners: Beware of Cat Thieves!!!

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