Stolen Catalytic Converter

[cutlass]

It happened to me at work. After work, I start my 4runner to go home and it scared the crud out of me it was so loud. They got part of my muffler too.

I would like to replace the converter with the most reliable I can. I can't afford Toyota's price so it's either a used one or aftermarket.

Anyone with advice on where to turn? Almost every junk yard doesn't have the license to re-sell them so that's not an option. Mine is a 2000 3.4L with federal (non-California emmissions) single cat system.

Thanks

 

[pluton]

Make inquiries at local muffler/exhaust shops. Also, if you have a regular repair tech, they might be able to make a suggestion. I will need to get a cat in 1.5 years for our state's smog, so I haven't had to get one for my 4Runner yet.
The aftermarket cats are almost certainly not going to last 16 years like the OEM one. One aftermarket cat I had, on my old '91 Toyota truck, didn't quite last until the next smog test two years later.

 

[amalik]

*******s.

 

[chasingmagiclight]

Bummer! that happened to me here in Cali when I was parked at the airport. It's pretty easy to get at the cat with a Sawzall, but still doing it right in the parking lot!? My local muffler shop got me an inexpensive aftermarket that passed smog no problem.

 

[cutlass]

Make inquiries at local muffler/exhaust shops. Also, if you have a regular repair tech, they might be able to make a suggestion. I will need to get a cat in 1.5 years for our state's smog, so I haven't had to get one for my 4Runner yet.
The aftermarket cats are almost certainly not going to last 16 years like the OEM one. One aftermarket cat I had, on my old '91 Toyota truck, didn't quite last until the next smog test two years later.

When you say one aftermarket didn't last, are you saying the catalytic converter rusted through, stopped passing smog, or became clogged?

 

[Millerad1651]

A Magnaflow aftermarket cat was installed on mine a few months before I bought it (it was stolen from PO). Its been almost 6 years and still no problems.

$111, plus installation at a local shop, you'er looking at around $200.

http://www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-990...automotive&vehicleId=5&vehicleType=automotive

 

[cutlass]

A Magnaflow aftermarket cat was installed on mine a few months before I bought it (it was stolen from PO). Its been almost 6 years and still no problems.

$111, plus installation at a local shop, you'er looking at around $200.

http://www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-990...automotive&vehicleId=5&vehicleType=automotive

Isn't the magnaflow louder than stock? I'm looking to have it no louder or sporty sounding than stock.

 

[ShannanC]

It happened to me in my driveway of the rent house we lived in a few years ago. BOTH of the 4runners. Insurance paid for the repairs though. I keep full coverage on everything we drive.

 

[Millerad1651]

Isn't the magnaflow louder than stock? I'm looking to have it no louder or sporty sounding than stock.

If you go with a magnaflow muffler, then yes. Just using a Magnaflow cat will not make it any louder than stock. You mentioned you'll need a new muffler as well, just have a shop install a standard replacement. You'll be just as you were before the theft.

 

[cutlass]

If you go with a magnaflow muffler, then yes. Just using a Magnaflow cat will not make it any louder than stock. You mentioned you'll need a new muffler as well, just have a shop install a standard replacement. You'll be just as you were before the theft.

So you haven't had any 02 sensor or related codes since the magnaflow install? Also, has it begun to rust out yet?

 

[Millerad1651]

So you haven't had any 02 sensor or related codes since the magnaflow install? Also, has it begun to rust out yet?

Not a single issue. I haven't had any codes with it (haven't had any codes for anything) and it's still in good condition. It has a bit of surface rust, but no more than any other exhaust parts. They use a lot of salt here in Indiana during the winter. If something were to happen to the cat, I wouldn't hesitate to replace with the same.

 

[Rocky5000100]

I just had a Walker Cat installed on mine. Was a simple bolt on, but I paid a family mechanic to install it on his lift so I didn't have to deal with the rusty bolts falling in my face.

$177 for exhaust, $50 install. I also gave him nice new bolts/nuts for install.

I would probably spray paint the cat with high temp paint next time before install to prevent any rusting (mine hasn't rusted yet).

No issues with the O2 sensor.

This is what I got:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AGN71C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01

Sometimes walker runs a rebate deal where you get $50 visa gift cards.

 

[SnowLizard]

go on rockauto.com and look at all the cat's and exhausts, there are different ones for emissions and what not... get the right one, then take that part number to amazon. you'll get close to that price but free ship.

 

[trovergraywilson]

Like the idea of heat-resist black spray paint for the second cat. They're stolen everywhere in Chicago and mostly by low-rung thieves and boosters. Looked into a cat locker and it's not worth it, with our setup they just cut further back. May spray paint/undercoat the cat and exhaust on mine as well.

 

[RS Dude]

Mine was stolen about 3 years back. Local muffler shop charged me $180 plus about $30 to weld in new Walker cali spec cat. Ironic thing is that my original cat earlier just squeaked by the infamous Cali smog test, and would not have passed the upcoming smog test. The new Walker cat was smog tested just one month after it's installation, and the smog dude almost wet his man-thong because my smog test results looked as good a new car! :yo:

 

[16nine]

this happened to me twice (!), before amazon & others offered the less expensive solutions. was forced to pay OEM cost & my insurance wouldn't cover it... after it happened the 2nd time I found something called a "Cat Clamp" and installed one of those. No more problems

 

[SnowLizard]

that's a cool product! thanks for sharing.

 

[kball]

I made my own kitty leash for $12 The things we do for our T4R's...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/109444-my-kitty-got-new-leash.html

 

[pluton]

When you say one aftermarket didn't last, are you saying the catalytic converter rusted through, stopped passing smog, or became clogged?

Failed the next smog test, two years later.

 

[99LTD]

Happened to me a couple years ago. Had towed the boat to the lake and got back to the parking lot at dark. I was the only vehicle in the parking lot and as I walked to my car I passed a shady looking fella but didn't think anything of it. Started her up and noticed a weird sound but assumed I was just hearing my exhaust louder because the tailgate was open to back the trailer down the ramp. After struggling to pull the boat home with much less power I looked with a flashlight under the car and the shady jerk from the parking lot had gotten halfway through my exhaust on the engine side of the cat before I must have (almost) walked up on him in the act. Had a buddy weld the cut shut so I got lucky. Shame what people do for some cash...