Exhaust manifold leak

186k miles on my 2010 with the 6. It looks like the exhaust manifold has rusted through and these buggers are expensive! Anyone had this happen? Is this a rust belt issue? Wondering if it would be advisable to find one a junkyard down south...or somewhere outside of rust belt areas...thanks for any input!

 

The reason they are so expensive is the catalytic converters are built into them, you can try a junk yard but I don't think they are allowed to sell used converters due to EPA regs unless you can find one in a pick and pull but if your in the rust belt it's likely to be just as rotted.

 

Depending on where you live.
This might be an option.
Of course you’ll only be using it for off-road if you run them
https://urdusa.com/urd-spec-u-lt-headers-for-1gr-fe-tacoma-4runner-fj-cruiser/

 

some options:

-buy a good used one
-use cutting and welding tools to make your own

supposedly headers get too loud at least if combined with catback and supercharger