aftermarket cat?

[The Cold War Kid]

I replaced both o2 sensors. Last night the !@#$%^&*()(!! check engine light came on again, of course. I haven't had this truck very long but so far I notice it cuts me no slack... Maybe I'll sell it, and cut my losses. It's really starting to **** me off!

I'm scrambling to get this thing going for winter. Days are getting way too cold to be working on it. I ordered a $5 spacer for the rear o2 sensor. Maybe that will spare me looking at those glaring lights all winter. If not, maybe a hammer will work.

Has anyone tried aftermarket cats? When spring comes I guess I'll change it IF I don't have to buy one from a stealership. (I'm sure they want $9,000 for the part.) I dunno why - this state does not do smog inspections. I just tend to do things right. After many years I have found you can't bull**** a machine... Just can't do it.

So, if someone will share their experience, I would appreciate it?

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

I replaced both o2 sensors. Last night the !@#$%^&*()(!! check engine light came on again, of course. I haven't had this truck very long but so far I notice it cuts me no slack... Maybe I'll sell it, and cut my losses. It's really starting to **** me off!

I'm scrambling to get this thing going for winter. Days are getting way too cold to be working on it. I ordered a $5 spacer for the rear o2 sensor. Maybe that will spare me looking at those glaring lights all winter. If not, maybe a hammer will work.

Has anyone tried aftermarket cats? When spring comes I guess I'll change it IF I don't have to buy one from a stealership. (I'm sure they want $9,000 for the part.) I dunno why - this state does not do smog inspections. I just tend to do things right. After many years I have found you can't bull**** a machine... Just can't do it.

So, if someone will share their experience, I would appreciate it?

What code are you getting? I assume you used Denso sensors. I'll also assume you have a Cali system (2 cats). What is the spacer for in the rear?
As far as replacements converters go, they really are cost prohibitive ($2000+ for both). And for the record, if you want to talk frustration, if you have any rust factor, the 3 flange bolts that mount the front cat to the crossover pipe will provide plenty more.

 

[AntleredRuin]

I have the single cat setup ('99 non cali) and I used the Walker 53287 with success. I'd assume the 2 cat setup from Walker would be of equal quality, but I don't have the part number(s).

And yes, those flange bolts are a PITA, specifically one of them. 2 came off easy for me (no rust in Texas) but the 3rd wasn't accessible with a breaker bar with extensions or with any useful length of box end wrench. I wound up having to sawzall the cat off to get the pipe out of the way.
I don't own any swivel sockets, but I'd bet that would make it a lot easier. FYI

 

[brillo_76]

I have the single cat setup ('99 non cali) and I used the Walker 53287 with success. I'd assume the 2 cat setup from Walker would be of equal quality, but I don't have the part number(s).

And yes, those flange bolts are a PITA, specifically one of them. 2 came off easy for me (no rust in Texas) but the 3rd wasn't accessible with a breaker bar with extensions or with any useful length of box end wrench. I wound up having to sawzall the cat off to get the pipe out of the way.
I don't own any swivel sockets, but I'd bet that would make it a lot easier. FYI

I ended up cutting a notch in the Sway bar bracket to get that flange nut on my 97 5 speed. I even have the swivel impact sockets.

OEM Cats are very pricey. However, if you have Toyota do it. They will lifetime warranty your exhaust. You will spend some serious $$ to do that though. Last time I priced an OEM exhaust for a 3rd gen 4 Runner. I think the cost was going to be 3K from the header all the way to the tailpipe. :-(


It would probably be best to heat those nuts up to red hot and hit them with penetrating oil a few times. I also believe those are supposed to be replaced every time you take them off as they are special nuts that grip the stud to hold the flange tight.

On my 97, they came right off. Which is surprising as I and the truck spent our lives in the rust belt. I was thankful.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Are you noticing any antifreeze loss?

Antifreeze in the CAT is one thing that will cause the dreaded P0420 code.


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[gamefreakgc]

There's a few 49 state options out there. Last I checked Toyota charges $1,200 for a replacement rear cat, that's just for the part.

Magnaflow sells a high-flow cat that's around $250.

 

[brillo_76]

Are you noticing any antifreeze loss?

Antifreeze in the CAT is one thing that will cause the dreaded P0420 code.


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If Antifreeze is getting into the exhaust don't we mostly see the white cloud smoke coming out the tailpipe? Well that what I had when the head gasket leaked on one.

 

[Ed_C]

What year and does it have a single or dual cat system? Mine has the dual cat system, replaced both spring 2015 with Walker OEM replacements and so far so good.

 

[brillo_76]

What year and does it have a single or dual cat system? Mine has the dual cat system, replaced both spring 2015 with Walker OEM replacements and so far so good.

The early years 96 -98 federal ones have one cat with 2 sensors. Front sensor is air/ fuel sensor. The back is the o2 sensor. I believe 99 -02 are all 2 cat systems.

It's an old trick to put a few gaskets under the 02 sensor to basically fake the ecu out that a cat is burned out. I have a 02 Camry with a burned out cat. I just check the cel light from time to time to make sure there isnt anymore codes .

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[2ndhandyotaman]

I used Bosal cats on my '99 about 2 years ago, they have worked well and cured the constant P0420 codes that I was getting. The truck just passed it's 2nd emissions test since I've owned it.

 

[pluton]

It would be helpful to all if everyone on this forum created a signature that lists the 4Runner(s) that they own: year, 2WD/4WD, Engine, Trans, major mods, etc.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

If Antifreeze is getting into the exhaust don't we mostly see the white cloud smoke coming out the tailpipe? Well that what I had when the head gasket leaked on one.

This is my specific scenario. My engine form the 96 I put in the 97,engine bay. It had issues since the accident. It ended up being a bad liner.


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[Ed_C]

The early years 96 -98 federal ones have one cat with 2 sensors. Front sensor is air/ fuel sensor. The back is the o2 sensor. I believe 99 -02 are all 2 cat systems.

It's an old trick to put a few gaskets under the 02 sensor to basically fake the ecu out that a cat is burned out. I have a 02 Camry with a burned out cat. I just check the cel light from time to time to make sure there isnt anymore codes .

The question was meant for the OP

I hope your Camry's converter isn't actually damaged to the point where the core has broken apart...probably not since it would've caused poor drivability.

 

[The Cold War Kid]

Sorry - mine is an 01, v-6 2wd.

I'll check into the walker parts - thanks. If the spacer works maybe that's all I will do. #3,000 it will not be - that's for sure!

Thanks for the replies

 

[HiLife]

A scum bag stole the OP's cat while he owned it. An aftermarket cat was already there when I purchased it 5 years ago. So far so good.
I agree with you, my rig fights me all the way while I'm wrenching on it. And the good side is it's has been rock solid reliabile afterwards.

 

[AntleredRuin]

The early years 96 -98 federal ones have one cat with 2 sensors. Front sensor is air/ fuel sensor. The back is the o2 sensor. I believe 99 -02 are all 2 cat systems.

It's an old trick to put a few gaskets under the 02 sensor to basically fake the ecu out that a cat is burned out. I have a 02 Camry with a burned out cat. I just check the cel light from time to time to make sure there isnt anymore codes .

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Nope 1996-2000 Federal was a 1 cat system. Cali was always 2 cats, regardless of year.
In 2001, Federal adopted the 2 cat setup, and there was no more specific 'cali style'. Everyone had 2 cats then.

 

[brillo_76]

Nope 1996-2000 Federal was a 1 cat system. Cali was always 2 cats, regardless of year.
In 2001, Federal adopted the 2 cat setup, and there was no more specific 'cali style'. Everyone had 2 cats then.

Oh so its 2000 instead of 1999. Alright. my mistake. :-D

 

[clearock]

I have removed the upper cat on a few cali systems and haven't had any issues (no codes). U have to move the mount point of the 02 sensor 1 (up steam) to down in front of the lower cat. I have also replaced cats in the 3rd gen with ones i've pulled from other vehicles (makes/models) and ran them without issue, along with any # of aftermarket brands (just make sure to use something that will not restrict flow). There is nothing magical about cat composition between other gas vehicles.

 

[TheDurk]

Nope 1996-2000 Federal was a 1 cat system Cali was always 2 cats, regardless of year.
In 2001, Federal adopted the 2 cat setup, and there was no more specific 'cali style'. Everyone had 2 cats then.

The early years 96 -98 federal ones have one cat with 2 sensors. Front sensor is air/ fuel sensor. The back is the o2 sensor. I believe 99 -02 are all 2 cat systems.

It's an old trick to put a few gaskets under the 02 sensor to basically fake the ecu out that a cat is burned out. I have a 02 Camry with a burned out cat. I just check the cel light from time to time to make sure there isnt anymore codes .

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The bolded is incorrect. 1999 and 2000 were transition years and 2-Cat systems were sold in California and several other (mainly Eastern) states, while the rest of the country got the old 1-cat system. 2001 was when the Cali. 2-Cat went 50-state. Prior to 1999, even the Cali. trucks had the 1-Cat "Federal' system.

My New Jersey 1999 came new with a Cali. 2-cat system.

Also, the 1 cat system has O2 sensors front and rear. Only the Cali. 2-Cat has the wideband air/fuel sensor in front.

 

[brillo_76]

The bolded is incorrect. 1999 and 2000 were transition years and 2-Cat systems were sold in California and several other (mainly Eastern) states, while the rest of the country got the old 1-cat system.

My New Jersey 1999 came new with a Cali. 2-cat system.

That's why i said I believe... I wasn't 100% sure. Thanks for the correction TheDurk.



My 2001 is a 2 cat system. (I don't have a 1999 or 2000 one) My 97 and 98 ones are 1 cat system.

Also, the 1 cat system has O2 sensors front and rear. Only the Cali. 2-Cat has the wideband air/fuel sensor in front

Good to know.



So to be 100% accurate 1996- 1998 federals are all one cat systems. While the 1999-2000 Federals could be one cat or 2 cats. Then by 2001-2002 all Federal are 2 cat system.