California Cat... how to tell on 00 4Runner?

[p621806]

have an 00 4runner.... know the Cat is bad (check enging light is on, can hear it rattle and been told about a year ago that it was bad)... now, inspection coming up and I need to get it fixed.... question is, how do I tell if it's a California emission model or not? I hear by the 8 character in the VIN or something like that, but, I'm not sure. I need to know so I can order one w/o paying dealer price.

Thanks!!!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Look under your truck oin the passenger side and you should see two cats if your's is a CA truck. Mine is and I have a cat right at about the rear of the front tire and then another about a foot behind it.

 

[p621806]

thanks... will do when I get home.

 

[2DaMtns]

If yours came from the factory with CA emissions, there should be a decal on the underside of the hood that says CA emissions model or some such stuff. Don't trust the decal inside the drivers' side door post. That one says federal on mine, but it says CA under the hood and has the 2 cats.

 

[Tomsriv]

You don't need a Toyota Cat to pass the smog test, FYI. You can buy a universal cat for about $70 and weld it in there.

On my runner the front cat is on a bend in the pipe:bash: I hope I never need to replace that one.