My co-worker got his catalytic converter stolen from his '95 4Runner. It was parked on street, and someone must have gotten under the truck and took it during the night. He only had the 4Runner for less than a month. Is this common part to get stolen? He has not replaced it yet, but do you guys do anything to prevent it from being stolen? Also, are any good (cheaper) sources for genuine Totota parts? Appreciate any information.

Yes, VERY common. Cat converters contain rare metals such as platinum. Meth heads steal them and sell them to the scrap yards for $75-$100 a pop.

x2; b'turds. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/ Free shipping for you '48 guys. Friend of mine up here just got a new brake booster for his Cruiser this past week; came up in 3 days. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Have him do a price compare between these guys and NAPA. I know NAPA wants like a $5 core for them these days.

Thanks for the info. He hasn't repaired it yet as he's concerned that it may get stolen again. Are there anything he can do to prevent another theft? Welding? I guess they can still cut it off, but if anyone know good deterrent, please let us know.

Garage. Welding won't matter necessarily. That's what a sawzall is for. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

Maybe wrap and weld some big chains around the cat and exhaust so that it would take the theif longer to cut it off and maybe he would go to the next vehicle?

Heavy skidplating that covers the cat.....

Where they would try to cut the skidplate off, heat that metal to bright red and quench it with water.. That will temper the steel beyond what any blade can cut.... Tack the nuts on the bolts that hold the plate on with the welder..

Above from learning the hard way to not water quench steel I've just welded that needs later drilling or cutting... Stuff ends up harder than any bit or blade will cut... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Yup thats exactly what i did with the gear on my rear window motor that kept wearing out, so i tig'd the gear, then quenched it as you said, and no problems with it yet!

Cat stolen tho... geez, you could straight-pipe it, which would be alright but it wouldnt pass emissions.
If he is really worried, put a "test pipe" in, with flanges on each side, then get a cat with the same length/flanges, so when you need to do emissions you unbolt the "test pipe" and bolt in the cat.
I passed just fine with an aftermarket magnaflow cat.