Catalytic converter location??

I think in error, I made two posts on this and can’t seem to move soundbeta’s reply.

So.....ProdGirl Super Moderator I know I am new here-n-all but I have a couple of things to say about this topic.

Firstly KHOUSTON is right-on:

KHOUSTON said:

Unfortunately the passport has 3 catalytic converts, two are located in the engine bay which wouldn't be accessible from underneath the car. the third one is underneath the car integrated in the down pipe which could be stolen if someone really wanted to.

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As our new Passport Elite was just sitting garaged and waiting for PPF (paint protection film) prior to really driving it, I crawled under it to check out the cat convertor. Now I am a fat ole guy but I can do it What I looked for was the exposed cat and it is easy to find under there. The ideal cat convertor theft preventative IS the the armoring of the danged thing, but even then unless it is lock-hardened steel (could still cut w/a torch) they could get it... so I did the next best thing. Which might even "scorch off" - dunno yet. I wrote the last eight characters of the VIN on it in several places w/a black sharpie. I worked auto theft and questionable vehicle identification for over thirty years, and I know I can't prove as stolen what I can't positively identify. So boys and girls, not only lock your sh* t up but mark it with an identifiable (to the po-po!) marking ! That goes for your wheels as well. Mark the last eight characters of your VIN on the inside "barrels" w/a permanent marker. Locking lug nuts (i.e. McGard) only go so far.... and can be problematic later to you, gentle owners.

Cat convertor thefts have been fairly common in particular areas/regions of the USA. It's a superb way to make quick coke/crack/meth buy money. Most often it runs in spurts, and of course is dependant on willing-accomplice precious-metal buyers (unscrupulous scrap yards, dismantlers, auto parts suppliers, chop shops, whatevers).

There are significant efforts underfoot in several/many states to add the cat convertor to the state's listing(s) of "major component parts." Dating back to the early 2000's the vehicle manufacturers have recognized the cat theft issue but finding a viable methodology for marking them at the final assembly plant facility has been elusive. Let's face it, cats DO get replaced sometimes, so that adds to the conundrum. Airbag module thefts went first - years before cat theft prevalence. And that has been reasonably well-addressed (subject for another time). I have to believe, as precious metal scarcity and prices increase further, cat convertor theft and identifiability will be addressed. jmoicbw and ymmv

So that's the long diatribe instead of your Cliff notes 🕟🚮💤💤💤 Happy Motoring and hope the bandits get wrangled right away.


Edit: ProdGirl - one other thought. Maybe create a living "sticky" for 2019-202x Passport vehicle security/prevention/theft/component theft/owner parts marking/theft trends? A thread which could be annotated with moderator's approval.