2.7 Bad Catalytic Converter?

Update: it’s definitely the catalyst broken apart. I took the heat shield off and banged on the cat with my hand and can hear the loose pieces inside.

Question now, what’s the most cost effective fix?

 

Walker cat from RockAuto should be sufficient enough.

Or a URD Power Pipe with rear O2 spacer if your state doesn't do visual inspections lol

 

I’ve heard of people using the walker. I definitely want something that’s not restrictive and going to last. I’m in Missouri and they do visual inspections here and I think they might look underneath not 100% sure cause I could just go the power pipe and spacer route.

I’d like to do the job myself, truck is an 2008 with all original exhaust so I don’t know how hard the 02 sensors would be to remove. I also am not sure how it would go with where the cat pipe connects to the muffler pipe…it’s so corroded and cancerous idk if it will even mate back up without leaks. The bolts are so far gone too.

 

When I replaced mine, I let some Kroil soak the threads before spinning the O2 sensors out. I did that AFTER the exhaust was dropped, though. To get the exhaust down, I simply torched the bolts off at the flange, and used new hardware from the store. I also used new spring bolts for the forward connection, and made sure to anti-seize EVERYTHING.

Worst case, if you break the front AFR sensor off- it's a Denso 234-9128.
The rear O2 sensor is a Denso 234-4927.

Being that you have 172k, if those are the OE sensors- I'd recommend replacing them anyways. Then you also don't have to worry about getting the old sensors out. Simply disconnect the wiring harnesses from them, torch or cutoff wheel the rear bolts, loosen the spring bolts and swap in new.

When I did mine, the entire process took less than a half hour (after letting the sensors soak in some Kroil for about an hour, but I was reusing my sensors since they had less than 5k on em). Very easy job to do by yourself, as well.