Calling all 2.7 exhaust Masters

09 extra cab 2.7 2wd auto 206k : *Never knew till today some Tacos made in Califonia were all made to pass Cali Emisions Vs those made in Tx were not. *Per the Smart Kid at the muffler shop. So on a whim we happen to be looking at the factory Emisions sticker and it is a Cali truck. Why does this matter ??? i have. P0420 code & need a new cat converter. I asked him to take a look at my converter asembly (looks just like the one in my picture.) I ask him how many converters does it have he said two BUT only the front unit was "measuable" meaning it can pass TX emissions. So far so good so long as his info is acurate wich explains this post....Does any forum member know for a fact that based on this young mans words the 2nd gen 4CYL Taco needs only one Converter to pass EMISSIONS MINUS CALIFORNIA ? QUESTION PT TWO : Can a HOME MECANIC cut in a new converter and clamp it in place or pipe strap it at least till I can get it to a welder ?

 

The mechanic is correct. The downstream sensor is ahead of the secondary cat, so it's not measured in catalyst efficiency.

You could go the route of having a new universal cat welded in place of the failing primary one, but usually it comes out to almost the same cost (with labor) as a replacement Walker midpipe assembly.