Cats stolen, now I’ve got decisions to make

I searched and found this is a common predicament, however, the forum was light on solutions. “Get OEM if you can afford the cost and the multiple month wait”, and “cat shields are a good idea (too bad they don’t make them for first gens)”.

I’m here for the wisdom I wasn’t able to find using search. I have a Rockauto.com cart loaded up with Walker cats and intermediate pipe (the dung heap that did this cut the flange off the intermediate pipe).

The truck is a 2003 Access Cab 4.7 SR5 TRD 2wd, stock, and likely to stay that way. Anybody use Walker (or another brand) and recommend it? Anybody put cat shields on?

 

Hate to hear about your loss, I just went thru this with my 2014.
Filed a claim on my comprehensive auto insurance.

It was an 8 month wait for parts and I did buy Vahalla shields.

Most say after-market cats will throw check engine light codes.

Sorry, I'm no help to your situation with your Gen 1..

Welcome to your first post on the forum..

 

This topic just got touched on with another newbie over here, with warnings about non-OEM cats, MAF, and O2 sensors, and woes that come with failing to buy OEM: https://www.tundras.com/threads/pro...-stolen-catalytic-stolen.110474/#post-2850551


About protections....

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-cat-protection.107470/

About aftermarket cats and protection...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/oem-vs-aftermarket-catalytic-converters.102021/

More about protections...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/need-a-cat-cage-for-2004-sr5.95407/

More cat protections...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/cat-protection.92342/

Even more cat protection info...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/cat-protection-for-1st-generation.102089/

Last thing I'll link ...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/catalytic-converter.69380/

Nope, one more covering the Talon's Garage shield they were making for us:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-cat-shield-from-talons-garage.125632/

Have fun. Sorry to hear about your luck.

I'd recommend checking for OEM again, since some supply chain issues are having wrinkles ironed out. Or consider going with the Summit models from that 1st link I shared in the 1st paragraph of this reply.

 

Thanks for your replies. I will add JBA 3” cats and muffler system to the list, as replacing everything as opposed to all but the muffler pipe may make sense. Magna flow as well. Some of the comments on CEL troubles clearly relate to other components, O2 sensor and failed battery were mentioned, so aftermarket is still an option I need to rule out before jumping on OEM.
As soon as the repair is complete, I’m intending to put in a plate or cage.

Any 49-state (TX) 1st gen trucks use JBA 3”, Magnaflow, or Walker with success?

 

I run magnaflow high flow 2.5” cats, but only for emissions testing, so not sure how they would fair for a daily driver.

 

I use a Walker. Have had no issue in 2 years of driving. I couldn't see spending the money on OEM, so I went with the Walker.

 

Here's some Magnaflow feedback from the resident yotamech.

 

I got a permission error when I tried your link, is there another way to see it?

 

Ah. Yeah, you need more post count to be able to see or enter the Marketplace. Here:

 

Did your insurance co. give you a rental vehicle until the cats were replaced? I've always thought they should / would, if you had comp and the vehicle was un-drivable.

 

Do you have inspections in your state?

 

I got Toyota to foot my rental (it's been 3 weeks and counting). My wife did some front end bumper damage to the truck so I had it towed to the Toyota dealer. They don't have an auto body shop so they had it towed to the shop they send all their customers to. My cats got stolen while at the shop. I went to the Toyota dealer and they said the cats were on backorder (and have been since at least January).

 

I'm sure they're more lenient on a 2 year old truck vs a 18 year old truck

 

The dealership put me in one of their 2021 Tacoma loaner/rentals the day I dropped my truck off.
My insurance has a $1200 limit per claim for rental fees, which paid for about 1 month of the 8 months.
The dealership then told me Toyota would cover the rental fees that the insurance didn't cover.
That is exactly what they did.
I'm sure Toyota wrote the fees off, but if I would have had to pay them, it would have been over $9000.
It only cost $6000 to fix the truck, parts and labor.

When I picked up my truck after 8 months, I only had to pay my $200 deductible and my toll fees.

 

Yes on the inspections. Unfortunately, we had only liability on this vehicle - I will be going aftermarket, so any anecdotes or experience is much appreciated.

 

Update: I ordered the Walker cats and intermediate pipe and set my sights on protecting them once installed. I ordered the Skid Row skid plate and cat con extensions, and buried in the confirmation email was this: If you ordered our Tundra/Sequoia transmission skid plates with the catalytic converter guards, they are currently selling out as fast as we can make them. The lead time on those can be 6-8 weeks, although we're working to shorten that lead time.

 

I filed this today, let's just see how this goes....

Hello Attention Consumer,


The Smog Referee provides Catalytic Converter recommendations based upon the information you (or a licensed Smog Test and Repair Station you have hired) provide them. Below is a list of commonly requested information that will aid the Smog Referee in determining the appropriate part for your vehicle.


Expect a call from a Smog Referee in 7-10 days. This call will come from a BLOCKED or RESTRICTED number. Please plan to answer all blocked/restricted calls during the designated window.

If your phone does not accept calls come from a BLOCKED or RESTRICTED number, please work with your cell phone provider to temporarily allow blocked or restricted calls. Or call us and provide a different number that will allow blocked calls.


You must have this information ready for when the Smog Referee calls you. If you need assistance finding this information, please hire a licensed Smog Test and Repair station to verify this information.

1. Engine Family Number (EFN) or Test Group Number.
   1. This is required for all cases.
   2. Here is a video on how to find the EFN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3SnZFmr5Ds

1. Exhaust diagram from the dealer by VIN.
   1. Must highlight which converter or converters you are seeking.
   2. This needs to come from the dealer by your VIN and not from an online source as every vehicle is different.

1. Picture of the Emissions label.
   1. This label is normally under the hood or affixed to the passenger side valve cover.
   2. Here is a video on how to find the Emissions Label: https://youtu.be/a3SnZFmr5Ds
   3. If label is missing or obsolete, please notify the Referee at time of call.

1. Number of Catalytic Converters that need to be replaced.

1. Verification whether the vehicle requires a rear oxygen sensor.
   1. Sometimes oxygen sensor wiring is cut, so you will see loose wires.
   2. Here is a video on how to locate the rear oxygen sensor https://youtu.be/dVumgUW50Ho

1. Digital pictures of your exhaust system and catalytic converter locations.
   1. If stolen, pictures of where the converters were.
   2. Here is a video on finding the location of the oxygen sensor and catalyst: https://youtu.be/eZE_YEoItXo.

1. You may be required to provide a diagnosis and have a recent failed smog test on record.
   1. This does not apply to stolen catalytic converters cases.
   2. The diagnosis must identify what part(s) need replacement and be completed by a licensed Smog Test and Repair station.

Disclosure: Smog Referees give catalyst recommendations based of the information that is provided to them, therefore it is imperative that you (or your Smog Test and Repair station) provide accurate information. It is the responsibility of the consumer of their Smog Test and Repair Station to ensure the information provided to the Referee is accurate.


If you need assistance identifying any of this required information, you will need to hire a licensed Smog Test and Repair station to verify this information.


Thank you,


Smog Referee Scheduling Center

 

This may be too late and not of interest, but at least in CO, OEM cats are available at junkyards for $500.

 

Thanks, CO is a restrictive state, however, I’ve been told in TX junkyards aren’t even allowed to sell used cats.

 

I brought the parts to a national chain muffler shop instead of an independent muffler shop because the independents look like their main business is to sell worthless cars to poor people. The chain actually took in cars and turned them around the same day, the independents were littered with carcasses of non-running vehicles nobody would want except if you have no options.

The national chain removed the old exhaust, breaking or leaving the old header studs useless, unable to complete the job. Now my wife and I have to choose from the two sole proprietor muffler shops that have a bunch of dead cars in their lots.

Really, I’m ready to say put all the addicts that steal cats in prison, because their $100 narcotic high defeats a federally-mandated original equipment emissions system and is going to cost me multiple days out of work and multiple $ thousands in parts and labor. I believe excellent trucks are being totaled or sold for next to nothing, essentially non-running, tow-away vehicles because of this drug addled behavior enabled by a crime-tolerant judicial system.

 

I get the frustration. I've had a number of talks with a couple of guys at my local precinct the last time the thieves swept through our area. They caught them, but the issue was, it was a pack of 6 dudes, and they traveled here from NC with the sole intent to steal cats, and scrap them on the way back. Last time they caught someone, several rounds of cat theft waves ago, the crew was from AL. For us, it's neither locals, nor junkies looking for a fix. It's a convenient story for sure, but its' sadly more organized than that.

Here's the thing though, and I think what you're missing. Even if they managed to catch these guys, and throw the book at them, like feral cats, someone will just replace them. Why? Because the problem is whoever is creating the demand, the person looking to buy them and melt them down. If you want to solve problems like this, you don't target the guys on the ground doing the dirty work. You take down the guys buying the stolen goods, who are providing the thieves with a means to make money off what they're stealing.

Unfortunately, these guys are carrying the cats across state lines, to other states with less recycling restrictions, and outside of the original state and local jurisdiction. So it's virtually impossible to pop them, and extremely difficult to tie things back to the original crimes. Until there's a mandate and enforcement at the fed level, this will continue. And even then, there will be recycle shops who will risk it, operating despite the legality, until caught.

We have plenty of LEOs on this forum. I'm sure they can probably share similar stories to what my local PD shared with me.

 

I bought the Walker cats from Rockauto and installed along with new O2 sensors (also from Rockauto). That was 4 years and around 40k miles ago. Have had no issues with them except for one of lock nuts on the manifold to cat flange came loose and went away. The bolt was still there, tho. Was not tightened completely, I guess. The new lock nut has remained in place for roughly 30k miles, so it was probably just me!

 

Yall got pics? I've been eyeing the walker exhaust for a bit. Did you paint before install or just slap her in raw?
https://youtu.be/aDL0HJNvKXY

 

Well, I have no pics at this moment. I can snap a couple, when it stops raining. I never even thought about painting them, since they're under the truck. We raw doggin it on this Tundra!

 

I'd appreciate some. Just put a drawn in line or something where the OEM pipes stop, and the walker pipes start.

How's the rust after so long?

 

Does this look like the muffler you've got? @TurdFerguson
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4310469&cc=1357938&pt=5872

 

I still don’t have the truck back from the dealer… one O2 sensor was hit by the bad guy, and another one failed 3 miles from the shop, so back it went.

Cats get incredibly hot, that’s the whole point… nobody paints them. They are shiny when new, and Turd can probably tell you how they look used.

Walker cats and resonator bolted onto OEM muffler sounds the same as OE. If you’re looking for more sound, you’ll probably have to step up to Magnaflow.

 

I bought that one before we went on our cross country trip. Got it on Amazon it was about $130 then. It doesn't come with the special clamp for clamping the two halves together. I just used a regular exhaust clamp since people had a lot of trouble with most the ones I found. I don't plan to spend any time in the salt to check rust but it's still in good shape at the moment.