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The Ford Raptor, the highest-performance version of the F-150, is particularly vulnerable to catalytic converter theft. But you can lower your Raptor’s risk by investing in anti-theft devices, marking your catalytic converters with your VIN, and parking your vehicle in secure areas when possible.

Catalytic converter thefts have risen exponentially nationwide over the last several years. So if you’re concerned about catalytic converter theft with your Ford Raptor, you have good reason to be, as F-Series trucks see some of the highest rates of cat theft.

But there are steps you can take to keep your Raptor protected—read on to learn about its primary risk factors, how to reduce them, and what you can do if your Raptor ends up a victim of catalytic converter theft.

Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Ford Raptor?

In a word: yes. As a proud member of the F-150 lineup, the Ford Raptor is one of the vehicles considered most likely to have its catalytic converters stolen.

2022 CarFax report

shared in November listed which vehicles were most at risk of having a catalytic converter stolen—and Ford F-Series trucks topped that list.

What makes the Ford Raptor and other F-Series trucks like the

F-250

and

F-350

particularly at risk is that they have two catalytic converters, and both are located on the vehicle’s undercarriage.

And since trucks naturally have a higher ride height than other vehicles, it’s easier for thieves to access them. The

Chevrolet Silverado

ends up on this list for the same reason.

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Top Ford Raptor years that catalytic converter thieves target

Based on CarFax’s data, Ford F-series trucks with model years spanning 1985 to 2021 are most likely to have their cats stolen—which basically spans the entire existence of the Ford Raptor.

Since F-150s are the top-selling vehicle in the United States—and have been for quite some time—that increased exposure gives thieves ample opportunity to get familiar with these trucks.

MORE:

Cars most targeted by catalytic converter thieves

Why are Ford Raptor catalytic converters stolen?

Who would want a catalytic converter in the first place? Plenty of people, apparently.

The reason why is that catalytic converters contain a variety of precious metals, including rhodium, platinum, and palladium. These metals play an important role in converting harmful exhaust emissions into less harmful substances. But in recent years, they’ve skyrocketed in value, making them a hot target for thieves looking to score an easy profit.

As of March 2022, these were the average selling prices for those metals:

Platinum: $1,128 per ounce

Palladium: $2,938 per ounce

Rhodium: $20,000 per ounce

Granted, a catalytic converter wouldn’t contain a full ounce of any of these metals, but that has yet to deter thieves.

Then, there are the vehicle-specific factors that make the Ford Raptor and other F-150s a common target: location and ride height.

F-Series trucks generally have a dual-cat system on the undercarriage: one catalytic converter near the front end of the vehicle, and one located near the rear.

The Ford F-150 also has had a ground clearance of 8-12 inches, depending on its model year, trim level, and other configurations. That’s already a generous amount, but new Ford Raptors take that even further with 12 to 13 inches of ground clearance.

While that’s great for off-roading purposes, it’s also more convenient for catalytic converter thieves to access the Raptor’s converters. That extra room means they wouldn’t need to jack up the car to access the converters, making it easier to quickly get away with the parts.

Ford catalytic converter replacement cost

The major problem with catalytic converter theft for truck owners is that they’re extremely expensive to replace.

A Ford Raptor catalytic converter replacement can cost about $1,500 on average. Broken down, that’s about $1,400 for the replacement converter and around $100 for labor costs. These numbers will vary depending on the replacement part(s) used, labor costs at your auto shop, and other factors, but one thing is certain—these replacement costs are no pocket change.

MORE:

How to fix a catalytic converter without replacing it

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How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Ford Raptor

Despite the Ford Raptor’s high risk factors, there are steps you can take to better protect your catalytic converters. Here are a few suggestions:

Park in a secure area

Parking your Ford Raptor in a secure garage, if you have one, is the best way to protect your truck. It can also help to park in well-lit areas when parking streetside or in lots (ideally in areas with video surveillance), or to install motion-sensor lights and a security camera in your own driveway.

The more difficult it is to tamper with your vehicle without going unnoticed, the less appealing it will be to thieves.

MORE:

How to tell if a parking garage is liable for a stolen or damaged vehicle

Buy a catalytic converter shield

Anti-theft devices are another protective measure you can take to keep your catalytic converters secure. Catalytic converter shields are one option that essentially function as a cage or covering that prevents tampering with your converters—just be sure the one you select is designed to fit your make and model.

Similar devices like the

CatClamp

use cables rather than a shield to keep your cat secure

Dash cams and tampering security alarms are a couple other additional options worth considering.

MORE:

The best anti-theft devices to keep your vehicle safe

Put your VIN on the catalytic converter

Marking your catalytic converter with your vehicle’s VIN will make it easier to trace back to you if it’s ever stolen—and it will also make it more difficult for thieves to sell to reputable dealers.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) as well as some law enforcement departments host occasional catalytic converter etching events, which can be a convenient option if one takes place nearby. Otherwise, you could schedule an appointment at an auto shop that offers the service.

MORE: Ford F-150 V6

Invest in comprehensive insurance

Car insurance won’t prevent a cat from getting stolen, but it will protect your wallet if it does occur. However, you need to have the right type of insurance coverage in place on your policy—otherwise you’ll need to pay for the entire catalytic replacement yourself out of pocket.

Comprehensive insurance

covers damages after a range of unexpected events, including theft and vandalism—and it could save you from reaching into your emergency savings if a worst-case scenario occurs.

When selecting a policy with comprehensive insurance, you’ll want to

choose your deductible

wisely—this is what you’ll have to pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the remaining replacement cost, so you’ll want to make sure you choose one that’s reasonable for your budget.

MORE: No deductible car insurance, explained

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What to do if your Ford Raptor’s catalytic converter is stolen

If your Ford Raptor ever is stolen, the first thing you should do is contact local law enforcement. It might be possible for them to access area security footage to find out what happened.

Filing a police report will also be helpful for the next step: filing a claim with your car insurance provider. If your policy has comprehensive coverage, submitting a claim could help you reduce how much a catalytic converter replacement will cost out of pocket.

Next, you and your insurance company will coordinate scheduling a catalytic converter replacement at an auto shop and paying for the service. In most cases, you’ll likely need to pay your deductible out of pocket, and your insurance will cover the rest.

If your car insurance policy doesn’t cover catalytic converter theft, you’ll need to prepare to pay for the replacement in full. If you’re looking to reduce replacement costs, you could consider using aftermarket parts—you’d just want to make sure they’re compatible with your Raptor and that they wouldn’t inhibit your ability to pass an emissions test.

MORE:

How to know if your catalytic converter was stolen

Can you drive a Ford Raptor without a catalytic converter?

Technically, you might be able to drive a Ford Raptor without its catalytic converters, but it wouldn’t be practical for the long run.

For one thing, Federal law makes it a requirement that vehicles on the road must be equipped with a catalytic converter. For another, your Raptor would be releasing more harmful emissions.

If you live in a state that requires emissions testing to register your vehicle, not having a catalytic converter—even if only one was missing—would prevent you from being able to pass the test and keep it current to avoid future penalties.

While a Raptor could technically be functional without a catalytic converter, it’s still necessary to replace them when they go missing.