F53 Welding modifying frame Contacting Ford

7997redtail · 02-28-2021, 06:48 PM

Recently the Catalytic converter was stolen off my 2008 F53 Sightseer. I was thinking about creating a deterent to future theft. So two questions

Im thinking about attaching a skid plate over the area but expect that there are constraints to welding or drilling the frame. Im sure i have come across something on this but cant find it nor who to contact, other than regulare customer service, for information on modifying the frame.

Second question is to poll all the intelegent people out there to see what you have done. Ive seen the CAT device for around $700 USd and can build something for way cheaper. Ive seen a skid gaurd device. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

tderonne · 02-28-2021, 07:34 PM

This has some guidelines for modifying Ford frames:

SVE Bulletin: Guidelines for Modifying Ford Light Truck Wheelbases

7997redtail · 02-28-2021, 07:50 PM

I’ve seen that document once upon a time. Thanks for the link as on the last page is the phone number I need.

I planning on either welding, pop riveting or screwing a skid plate over the access area for the CAT. So most concerned about that.

Thanks much appreciated.

FIRE UP · 03-01-2021, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7997redtail

Recently the Catalytic converter was stolen off my 2008 F53 Sightseer. I was thinking about creating a deterent to future theft. So two questions

Im thinking about attaching a skid plate over the area but expect that there are constraints to welding or drilling the frame. Im sure i have come across something on this but cant find it nor who to contact, other than regulare customer service, for information on modifying the frame.

Second question is to poll all the intelegent people out there to see what you have done. Ive seen the CAT device for around $700 USd and can build something for way cheaper. Ive seen a skid gaurd device. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Well Sir,
At the risk of sounding a bit blunt, your coach is a 2008, correct? In my book, that's an almost 11 year old coach. Why are you worried about what Ford would think about messing with a frame, on an 11 year old coach? Unless you have some sort of lifetime warranty from Ford, I'm pretty sure they could care less what you do at this time in the life of that coach. Unless I'm mistaken, it's YOURS not theirs.

And, if that's the case, weld away partner. Build what you want and add it to protect your investment. Battery powered Sawzall's (Milwaukee, DE Walt, Makita etc.) are powerful and fast. We used them in rescue operations on the FD. We'd slice 1/2" thick door hinges in less than a minute. If thieves want something bad enough, they're gonna get it.

So, maybe a skid pan *might* help if, IF, it was constructed correctly and attached in such a way that security bolts were used. I thought stealing CAT's was a thing of the past. Until I read of it on here, I hadn't heard of any being stolen for years.
Scott

7997redtail · 03-01-2021, 10:21 PM

CAT thefts are rampant and our gov. Isnt doing enough.

As for Ford, I do own the RV but welding and penetrating a frame can cause strength problems. Where and how you weld have been a concern since auto builders started thinning and engineering frames.

For instance, if you put a hole in the middle of a beam you can destroy its integrity. But if you put that same hole in the first or last third of the beam it will be fine.

I’m just trying to make sure I fix and not cause damage.

**creativepart** · 03-02-2021, 08:27 AM

This CAT theft thing is really increasing from what I read. I mean I guess I’ve heard small mentions in years past but in Feb it seems to have hit very big levels.

I wonder if the RV storage lot is a prime place for CAT thieves to hit? Mine is tucked away from prying eyes off a main road but there must be 40 gas C’s and A’s there.

Easy to slither under too.

JCM · 03-07-2021, 05:12 PM

Wrap it and some of your tailpipe with barb or razor wire. Make it hurt them if they want to hurt you.

peggwn · 03-07-2021, 05:33 PM

7997redtail has a valid concern. I remember when in the service (late 60s), welding on the frame or cutting a hole in the frame of any vehicle would almost always qualify that vehicle for salvage. Those vehicles were probably on sturdier frames than similar types nowadays. Might check with Ford or Itasca/Winnebago.

Good luck.

NeilV · 03-08-2021, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7997redtail

CAT thefts are rampant and our gov. Isnt doing enough.

As for Ford, I do own the RV but welding and penetrating a frame can cause strength problems. Where and how you weld have been a concern since auto builders started thinning and engineering frames.

For instance, if you put a hole in the middle of a beam you can destroy its integrity. But if you put that same hole in the first or last third of the beam it will be fine.

I’m just trying to make sure I fix and not cause damage.

Indeed you do not want to em-brittle the frame and cause stress cracks by welding in the forbidden zones. Security bolts in existing holes would be the best choice however you would have to ensure the design does not trap heat from the cat between the anti-theft device and the bottom of the coach.

7997redtail · 03-13-2021, 03:54 PM

Top to bottom,

I tied the number at the bottom of the page but its for "re builders" wrong term but the commercial people like Winnebago. When I called Ford customer service and asked my question she very bluntly told me that was a question for a ford dealer. So my next step is to go to Ford.

I love the barbed wire option. One of my concerns if obviously weight. I had thought about expanded metal or something that a battery powered jigsaw or saber saw would have trouble with. Kind of a looser is better idea. I could wind it around the frame and around the cat. Hummmm

Might need some puncher proof gloves and heavy leather arm protection and ........

I have considered the heat aspect and trapping it between a sheet of aluminum and the bottom of the floor doesn't appeal to me. Its in my mind but good to mention here for everyone to consider.

Thanks for the answers I'll keep you informed. Not much going to happen for a while. An injury has taken me out of any under RV work for a good long time. Maybe I'll hire someone to wrap it in barb wire

7997redtail · 03-13-2021, 04:01 PM

Here is an cut and past out of an article out of eastern Canada (March 1, 2021) regarding Cat metal prices. I've put the link in if you'd like to see the whole article. I doubt this is any different in the USA as they are worldwide metal prices.

__________________________________________________ ________

According to the website for Montreal-based Kitco Metals, which buys and sells metals and also reports on market trends, palladium is currently selling for just over $2,800 Cdn an ounce, although the Kitco 2021 outlook says it could rise to $3,000 by the end of the year.

Platinum was selling for $1,500 an ounce on Monday, while rhodium was going for about $30,000 US an ounce at the end of February.

An example of a catalytic converter. Thieves typically crawl under vehicles to cut them out. (Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press)
By comparison, an ounce of gold is currently selling for about $2,200.

__________________________________________________ __________

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitch...elph-1.5927734

Elkman · 03-25-2021, 11:17 AM

The storage yard I use has night lighting and CCTV and a entrance gate that requires using a keypad to enter and to exit. There is also a manager living on the site.

Whatever a CAT thief has to remove the converter can also be used to remove any shielding as well. It is a problem with our dismal economy but the really destructive thieves work for Wells Fargo and Chase and the other banks. They steal people's homes. So long as we are happy to have families thown out onto the streets with their children left to go cold and hungry there will be petty crime as with CAT and air bag thefts. We have 40 milllion children living in poverty in this country and that is what should be the concern.

Converter thefts rose roughly 400% during the pandemic but this is still only a total of fewer than 4,000 stolen in the United States each year. With more than 280 million registered vehicles in the USA the odd of being struck by lightning while using the outdoor shower sprayer of your RV is far greater than of losing the CAT from it.

For me it is a matter of the inconvenience if the theft took place during a trip and I had to interrupt our travel to get a nen CAT installed. So long as parts recyclers buy the converters there will be people who remove them from vehicles. Similar problem with airbags being stolen.