Need a cheap catalytc converter replacement.

P

Perrone

New member
So someone had some big balls yesterday. My wife was at work at the hospital and the 4Runner was parked in the hospital parking lot in the front row right by the main street and someone climbed under and chopped my cat converter right off. I just recently had to fix the drive shaft so I have literally no money to fix this, but it has to be done somehow. I don't care if I put in a new converter because I know someone will just steal it again so I'm looking for the cheapest fix for now until tax time comes and I can fix it a better way and maybe put a lock on it or something.

I was looking at test pipes, but I still need something else since they cut off the spots where I would be able to just bolt the pipe right on. I'm not sure what the part of the exhaust from the engine to the cat is called so if anyone could help me out with that it would also be appreciated. They also cut off the muffler side where I'd be able to bolt something on so I'm guess I'll need a new muffler too?

Also if I did somehow put a test pipe in, how would I put in an o2 sensor and would I need just 1 or both?

Thanks for the help ahead of time. Sorry for the rambling. I'm pretty pissed about this.

(I did some searching, but haven't found much helpful info)

EDIT: Forgot to add that I have a p0125 code now. I climbed under and checked again and noticed my rear o2 sensor is still there but they chopped off the front one. Instead of unplugging the sensor, which was super easy to get to, they cut the wire. They even cut the rubber hanger in half rather than just popping it off.
 
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Sorry that this happened to you, that sucks. The thing I don't get is that used CC's aren't even worth $50 last I checked here in Denver. There are much easier and valuable things that could be stolen... but that doesn't put a CC back on your truck.

Honestly, the aftermarket cat market seems like a major roll of the dice. Since the f-t@rds cut off the flanges, your best bet is to have an exhaust shop weld in a universal cat and hope for the best in terms of your Check Engine light staying off.
 
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check with your insurance (if you have full coverage) they will pay for a replacement, probably a full exhaust, mine did had the dealer do the replacement and insurance didn't go up... doesn't hurt to check they do require that a police report be done on the theft.....I don't know about Denver but in TX the price for the precious metal in the converter will fetch about $300.00 dollars that is why they steal them....
 
jc1kz said:
check with your insurance (if you have full coverage) they will pay for a replacement, probably a full exhaust, mine did had the dealer do the replacement and insurance didn't go up... doesn't hurt to check they do require that a police report be done on the theft.....I don't know about Denver but in TX the price for the precious metal in the converter will fetch about $300.00 dollars that is why they steal them....
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I checked with them and they said since I don't have comprehensive coverage that they won't do anything. I have the bare minimum coverage because It's all I can afford.
 
call them back and ask how much it would be to have "comprehensive" added on w a $100 deductible. If thats not too much, ask how much the $0 deductible would cost. "Comp" will cover anything other than a collision. so, wind, fire, theft, vandalism, hail, etc.

its worth a call for the future.

rock auto has em for 165 or so.
 
I know I'm pushing my luck, but even $165 is too much right now. Is there a cheaper option that can last a few months that won't screw anything else up?
 
cordrayj1 said:
a piece of exhaust pipe and a welder.
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If I did this would I still need a front o2 sensor? I read something on here about doing this would not get the proper back pressure, but I don't know jack about that so I'm not sure if it's true or not. Also would it be insanely loud like it is right now or would the muffler help get rid of most of the noise?
 
you would still need an o2 sensor, but unless yours is a cali emmisions model (probly isn't) then you could have the shop cut the section with the rear 02 sensor in it off and weld up closer to where it should be. the front sensor if im not mistaken is the most important. i "think" the rear just makes sure the cat is working, if it isnt it gives a code, which you know. this way, all you have to buy is a section of tube and find someone willing to work with you.
 
Whitson Metalworks said:
you would still need an o2 sensor, but unless yours is a cali emmisions model (probly isn't) then you could have the shop cut the section with the rear 02 sensor in it off and weld up closer to where it should be. the front sensor if im not mistaken is the most important. i "think" the rear just makes sure the cat is working, if it isnt it gives a code, which you know. this way, all you have to buy is a section of tube and find someone willing to work with you.
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I guess it can't hurt to try since this is my cheapest option. It's not cali by the way so I don't have to worry about that. Thanks for the advice.

If anyone else has any ideas I'm still open to hear them.
 
let us know how that affects performance. i have a busted up cat that needs replacing but i didnt want to pay for a new one. was gonna do the pipe for time being...
 
cordrayj1 said:
let us know how that affects performance. i have a busted up cat that needs replacing but i didnt want to pay for a new one. was gonna do the pipe for time being...
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I'll be sure to follow up if this is what I end up doing. Either way I have to wait until I get paid on friday so it won't be until this weekend. There goes more christmas money for my daughter.

Thanks, to the *******s that did this. I hope karma comes back around on you.
 
When my cat was stolen i went up to the auto parts store and got this weird flexible exhaust pipe and some pipe clamps. Cut the thing to size clamped it on and was fine until i replaced the cat about a week or 2 later.
Never through any codes/ check engine light.
But it is still loud as Fu++. And theres barley any back pressure so i just drove slow and never floored it.
This was under 20$

EDIT: Just rememberd how close to the sensor they might have cut so my method might not work for you, and that pipe your asking about is called the down pipe i think. From manifold down.
 
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Suprareal said:
EDIT: Just rememberd how close to the sensor they might have cut so my method might not work for you, and that pipe your asking about is called the down pipe i think. From manifold down.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's what it's called thanks. It might be cut at too much of an angle to use. Won't be sure until I get a pipe. What diameter pipe did you get? I might have someone willing to weld it for free I just need to wait until payday to get the stuff. I hope it's not too loud. Last thing I need is a ticket on top of this all.
 
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