Replacing Cat Converter in California

[keith.z]

Last night some scumbag sawed off and stole the catalytic converter off my 97 4Runner Ltd. The bad part is that I live in California and am being told that I cannot replace with an aftermarket part. I'm getting estimates of anywhere from $1000 to $1700 to fix. Does anyone know what my options are in California? I cannot afford that kind of money and might be forced to sell my car if this is the case.

Help!!

 

[Stick Figure]

As far as i know that is the law here. I know if you try and even look the part up an aftermaket parts website like Autozone or Napa it won't let you add it to the cart with a CA shipping address. Factory Toyota part only. Now if you found someone at home in their garage to weld one in for you and were able to order it for an older vehicle that the factory no longer offers a replacement for, it would fix your current problem, but you may have issues at your next smog check. I'm in a similar position in that my 4runner barely passed last time, and after long periods of slow driving (off road for example) it throws the catalytic efficiency code. I haven't figured out a permanent solution for mine yet.

If you do decide to sell, let me know, i need to find a new vehicle for my parents, and where its going i wouldn't even need to put a cat in. I still would of course, but it wouldn't be a million dollar repair.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Just wondering... who told you that you can't use aftermarket? I've got an aftermarket cat in CA...

Maybe it's just a V6 thing?

 

[brian2sun]

I know lots of people with aftermarket cats in CA that still pass smog - on all types of motors. OP, where are you in CA? I might be able to help you out with a used '97 OEM cat..

 

[keith.z]

I'm in Pleasanton, CA. This whole thing is proving to be a huge hassle for me as I keep getting different stories about my options. I called the local muffler shop and they seemed to want no part of putting on anything but a cat bought from Toyota. Something about emissions, blah blah. I was checking online and no one will send to California. I don't have the means to put it on myself so I'm kind of in a position here. I honestly cant afford to pay any more than $400-500 to get it fixed. Anything more than that and it's going to be a while before I can cough up the cash.

Also, do you guys know if it's going to be more of a hassle to replace since they sawed off the original converter?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[TheDurk]

Walker is one of the only after-market manufacturers with CARB approval for the V6. Here it is (Part No. 81712) for the '97 V6 4Runner (no Cali. exhaust in '97, only 50-state) $150:

Walker 81712 Universal Converter | eBay

Here's the Walker Catalog that states it has CARB approval for your truck:

Walker New Product Coverage

Walker CalCat Converters for WalkerExhaust.com
Last Updated 06-01-2011

Applications listed in the California (CARB) catalog are designed for use on Pre-OBDII and OBDII vehicles registered in the state of California.

In the state of California, as of January 1, 2009, it is illegal to install a catalytic converter based solely on physical shape, size, configuration, or pipe diameter.

For vehicles registered in California, installation of only the CalCat part - specifically cataloged for the vehicle, is legal.

Application of these products to any vehicle registered in the state of California, that is not specifically catalogued here, is illegal.

For vehicles registered outside the state of California, please use our EPA Applications Catalog.


1997 - Toyota 4Runner
3.4 Liter V6

For sale and installation only in the state of California; Engine Family # VTY3.42JG2GK N/A Universal 81712 1

So it IS legal. What I cannot guarantee is whether it will in fact defeat the P0420 and for how long. Actually, I can't guarantee anything--but it SAYS it's CARB legal and e-bay WILL ship it to CA. To be 100% sure, compare the Engine Family Code above to the one on the emissions label under the hood of your truck. I think CA makes them guarantee it for 5 years.

 

[keith.z]

Thanks so much for that info!!

 

[raidernation]

Buy one from AZ or NV.....

 

[bikerjosh]

FYI walker cat

Just had the 81712 or whatever too tired to scroll up welded up on Friday. Carb Approved $180 from local napa, about 150 shipped from out of state. Smogging next week but should be good to go.
I feel your pain lots of bs and conflicting stories out there.
Josh

 

[Stick Figure]

Aftermarket Catalytic Converters

there is the actual circular logic of a law that they have here.

 

[SinGarage]

Well my cousin just had his Honda cat replaced 3 months ago. What the local muffler shop said is that you cannot just replace it with any aftermarket type catalytic but a California approved catalytic. So they welded a new aftermarket Califonia approved catalytic for his Honda for $285 + tax. This was down here though in SoCal but I don't believe it should differ to NorCal.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Well my cousin just had his Honda cat replaced 3 months ago. What the local muffler shop said is that you cannot just replace it with any aftermarket type catalytic but a California approved catalytic. So they welded a new aftermarket Califonia approved catalytic for his Honda for $285 + tax. This was down here though in SoCal but I don't believe it should differ to NorCal.

Exactly, you can use an aftermarket, just has to be CARB legal. I have an aftermarket, CARB legal cat. It was $300 instead of $50.

 

[J0hnMata]

so what did you end up doing?

 

[Deb]

Sorry to hear that same thing happen on my daughters 2000 in Baldwin Park ca
ask Mufflerville in Baldwin Park 626 338-9534 charged 250. Also see Star Hi-tech 888 415-7489 Good luck

 

[Deb]

Sorry to hear that same thing happen on my daughters 2000 4 Runner in Baldwin Park ca. ask Mufflerville in Baldwin Park 626 338-9534 charged 250. Also see Star Hi-tech 888 415-7489 250.00Good luck

 

[Deb]

Last night some scumbag sawed off and stole the catalytic converter off my 97 4Runner Ltd. The bad part is that I live in California and am being told that I cannot replace with an aftermarket part. I'm getting estimates of anywhere from $1000 to $1700 to fix. Does anyone know what my options are in California? I cannot afford that kind of money and might be forced to sell my car if this is the case.

Help!!

Sorry to hear that same thing happen on my daughters 2000 4 Runner in Baldwin Park ca. ask Mufflerville in Baldwin Park 626 338-9534 charged 250. Also see Star Hi-tech 888 415-7489 250.00Good luck

 

[Deb]

ppl r stealing it for scrap metal from high trucks n cars. Report to police on line so they can identify where the criminals r n can hopefully catch them.

 

[pabrinton]

I had mine stolen out of my '98 V6 4Runner, single cat not dual.

I had a shop throw an aftermarket on. BY FAR these guys are the cheapest in the Bay area that I could find. $400 out the door

Broadway Muffler
2596 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
(925) 933-4373

It is definitely legal to use an aftermarket cat in CA, they are just hard to come by and very particular about installing it properly etc.

I looked the OEM route as well and was disgusted - $2300 and they wanted to replace the whole system headers to muffler. BS :gun4:

 

[pandaemonium]

I've pretty much decided that if I ever again have a problem with catalytic convertors in California that I will bite the dust and keep my vehicles out of state registered. I'm not going to jump through that hoop fest they set up for smog and emissions for as long as they continue to give food stamps to the homeless for their freaking dogs. (this is not a joke)

On a side note, Eureka is a bad place to have a Toyota. If it's not garaged or locked up, pretty much expect to wake up one morning with half the rig gone.

 

[thebrandon]

What a weird thing to steal.