How to Prevent Ram 1500 Catalytic Converter Theft
Worried about catalytic converter theft for your Ram 1500? Here’s what you need to know about 1500 cat theft—and how to prevent it.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
While the Ram 1500 isn’t as well known for catalytic converter theft as other popular pickup trucks, it’s still worth protecting this valuable part. You can purchase an anti-theft shield device or etch the VIN on your catalytic converter to deter “cat” burglars.
Worried that you will become a victim of catalytic converter theft? Or worse, if this has already happened to your Ram 1500’s cat—we’re here for you! In this article, we’ll dive right into how you can prevent a catalytic converter theft and what to do if it gets stolen—including what type of
car insurance
you’ll need to avoid paying high out-of-pocket replacement costs. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversIs it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Ram 1500?
Even though the Ram 1500 isn’t included on the list of
cars most targeted by catalytic converter thieves
, as a full-size pickup truck—we’d say it’s certainly possible. Full-size pickup trucks, like the
Ford F-Series
and Chevy Silverado
, are popular targets for catalytic converter theft because they have enough ground clearance—eight inches or more—underneath them that allows thieves to easily cut out the catalytic converter quickly. It’s not just heavy-duty trucks, but SUVs, like the Toyota Sequoia
and 4Runner
, too. Why are Ram 1500 catalytic converters stolen?
Catalytic converters are major targets for one simple reason: their value.
In order to convert harmful pollutants out of your Ram 1500’s exhaust pipe, these hazardous emissions must first be filtered through precious metals, like palladium, platinum, and rhodium. Thieves can take a stolen catalytic converter to a metal recycling plant or scrapyard where they can effortlessly make up to $300 or more, depending on the type of cat converter.
As of March 2022, here’s what each of the metals in your Ram 1500’s catalytic converter is worth:
- Platinum: $1,128 per ounce
- Palladium: $2,938 per ounce
- Rhodium: $20,000 per ounce
Ram catalytic converter replacement cost
Although catalytic converter theft isn’t as prevalent for Ram 1500s, it’s still a costly loss for any Ram owner to bear if the unthinkable does happen.
How costly? It will end up setting you back between $2,221 and $2,255 to replace a Ram 1500 catalytic converter. You might be able to save with an aftermarket replacement, but no matter how you cut it, it is often an expensive fix that usually requires cumbersome labor.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Ram 1500
Now that you know how much a catalytic converter theft will cost you, let’s look at a couple of catalytic converter anti-theft tactics to further protect your Ram 1500:
Park in a secure area
Make it harder for thieves to access your truck unseen by parking your Ram 1500 in a garage or driveway with motion sensor lights and video surveillance. Giving your truck a bright spotlight will make catalytic converter bandits think twice about messing with your property.
MORE: How to tell if a parking garage is liable for a stolen or damaged vehicle
Buy a catalytic converter security system
Another great option to combat a possible cat theft? Purchase an anti-theft device, like a catalytic converter anti-theft security system, to protect your front or rear cat.
Need a few suggestions? There are many great catalytic converter security systems on the market, including the
CatClamp
and CatStrap & CatEye
. The CatEye, in particular, is a fantastic addition, as it immediately sounds an alarm if someone is trying to steal your catalytic converter.Not only are these effective cat security systems, but installing one might earn you a discount on your insurance policy.
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Another easy way to prevent theft is to simply etch and tag your catalytic converter with your vehicle’s VIN. This way, it will make it a lot harder for thieves to sell this valuable part on the black market!
Keep an eye out for the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)’s regular catalytic converter etching events or take your Ram 1500 to a local muffler shop for this service.
MORE: How to check and decode a Ram VIN
Invest in comprehensive insurance
No—it won’t prevent a catalytic converter theft from happening. But it will possibly save you thousands if a thief happens to steal your precious Ram 1500 cat. With comprehensive coverage, you can at least file a claim for catalytic converter theft to avoid footing the bill for the expensive replacement costs all on your own.
What to do if your Ram 1500’s catalytic converter is stolen
If your Ram 1500’s catalytic converter was stolen: contact the police immediately. If it was stolen while parked in a parking lot, law enforcement might be able to pull security footage to find a suspect.
Even if a suspect can’t be located right away, you can still file a police report, which you’ll need when you contact your insurance provider. If you have comprehensive coverage, as we mentioned before, you can simply file a claim for theft so your replacement costs are covered, though you will likely have to pay your deductible first.
Your insurance company will also help you schedule repairs with a nearby mechanic to replace your stolen catalytic converter.
Don’t have comprehensive insurance? Then you’ll have to pay to replace the catalytic converter yourself. You might be able to save money with a mechanic who is inclined to use aftermarket parts.
Can you drive a Ram 1500 without a catalytic converter?
You can technically drive a Ram 1500 without a catalytic converter, but it would not be advised!
Driving around without a catalytic converter would not only be harmful to the planet, but you won’t pass an emissions test either. And soon enough, you’ll also have to contend with an increasingly loud and poorly running engine, which could end up costing you more down the line.
If your catalytic converter gets stolen, follow our advice above and get it replaced immediately— for your sake and for the sake of the environment, too!
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