Need advice on cats (converters)

[T4Rscott]

Hi all,

Need some advice on catalytic converters.

I need to replace the rear cat on my 99 4 Runner. This is because of rust not a malfunction. Because of said rust, I'm looking at replacing both. The joints are just too far gone. I found some on eBay going for 270.00 for both. Does anyone have any experience with these? Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[gamefreakgc]

It really does depend on your state's smog rules. I have no idea how strict they are in Maine. CA is the most strict in the nation, so if it's doesn't work like it should then it will fail smog 100% guaranteed. But that's my state, I'm assuming yours is nothing like that.

Some states don't care what kind you have on there, as long as there's one on the vehicle.

 

[Konkordmusk]

Any cat will work fine. They label a lot of cats as 49-state legal; that only excludes California.
Walker is a pretty well known and popular brand.

 

[TheDurk]

Any cat will work fine. They label a lot of cats as 49-state legal; that only excludes California.
Walker is a pretty well known and popular brand.

No. Just No. California spec exhaust systems were sold in many states in 1999 and 2000, and ALL 4Runners in '01 and '02 had Cali. spec systems. If you try to install a 49-state cat on a Cali-spec 4Runner, you will fail inspection. Federal law requires all states to adhere to the spec the vehicle was originally built to. They go by the VIN. An example is my bought new in NJ 1999 Cali.-spec 4Runner.

There are some Cali-spec cats that are 49-state; those meet the Cali specs according to the manufacturer but have not been tested and approved by CARB for sale in California.

Of course, if you live in an area with no emissions inspections at all, you don't have to worry about this. You will probably have to live with a permanently lit Check Engine Light, though.

Some have had good results with the cats made by Eastern Catalytic. They won't last as long as OEM, though.

 

[Konkordmusk]

No. Just No. California spec exhaust systems were sold in many states in 1999 and 2000, and ALL 4Runners in '01 and '02 had Cali. spec systems. If you try to install a 49-state cat on a Cali-spec 4Runner, you will fail inspection. Federal law requires all states to adhere to the spec the vehicle was originally built to. They go by the VIN. An example is my bought new in NJ 1999 Cali.-spec 4Runner.

There are some Cali-spec cats that are 49-state; those meet the Cali specs according to the manufacturer but have not been tested and approved by CARB for sale in California.

Of course, if you live in an area with no emissions inspections at all, you don't have to worry about this. You will probably have to live with a permanently lit Check Engine Light, though.

Some have had good results with the cats made by Eastern Catalytic. They won't last as long as OEM, though.

Consider me learned. I was not aware that cali-spec 4runners needed to comply with CA emissions even when sold outside California.
Any replacement cat will need to comply with an EO. I found an approved list here: https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/CatalystSearchTool.aspx

 

[TheDurk]

Consider me learned. I was not aware that cali-spec 4runners needed to comply with CA emissions even when sold outside California.
Any replacement cat will need to comply with an EO. I found an approved list here: https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/CatalystSearchTool.aspx

Again, this part of the BS applies ONLY in California. Elsewhere, any Cali-spec parts can be used, EOs or not. EOs are produced by CARB.

Here is a perfectly good Cali. cat (front) that has no EO and is legal for sale only outside California. I could use this on my 1999 Cali here in NJ but not if I lived in California.

https://www.amazon.com/Eastern-40364-Catalytic-Converter-Compliant/dp/B000CGTI14/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1468753866&vehicle=1999-76-1005-968--9-9-8-3995-1793-1-1-2006-199-3-0&sr=1-5&ymm=1999%3Atoyota%3A4runner&keywords=eastern+catalytic+converter