Catalytic Converter Question

My muffler just went bad so I purchased a new cat back exhaust. I did this before looking under the truck and seeing that the connection is all kinds of rusted together and not going to be salvageable after the new exhaust.

So, the question. It looks like I have two catalytic converters on the truck.
Do I need both. The 2nd one or the one closest to the muffler has an 02 sensor in it before the cat and one after the cat. I didn't see on up closer to the motor.

Did who ever owned this before me just really like Cat's or is this normal on this year?

 

There are to cats in tacomas, im pretty sure you need both to pass emission checks

 

Early model 1st gens had one catalytic converter, later models had 2. I can't remember exactly when they switched to 2 cats.

But yes, if you like in an emissions testing state you will absolutely fail without cats, or without working cats. Also, if you strip the cats the truck will sound awful and pump out tons of smog...I don't mean that in a "save the trees kind of way" but in a "no one will want to be standing anywhere near you and your truck" kind of way.

Also, OEM Toyota cats are stupid crazy expensive, over $2k for both. Magnaflow makes solid aftermarket options for way less $$$. If you live in CA, your options are limited as CA has strict rules about cats.

 

Are you sure you can't get them apart without ruining the cat? I did my cat back, and although it was a rusty mess under there, I'm still running the OEM cats.

Also, NY follows the CARB (California Air Resources Board) rules also. If your truck is CARB certified, you have to keep it that way in order to pass NYS annual inspection. Although my truck originated in Maine, it has CARB emissions, which makes the cats more expensive to replace. Check the sticker under the hood.

 

I'm in FL so no Carb check but don't want to stink things up either.

This truck was in IL before I owned it and this is the original exhaust. It's time for new pipes.

 

What's your mileage? I'm at 170K on my '03 with no problems with the OEM cats.

 

just run catless if you live somewhere that doesn't care about emissions. no point on spending 4 bills on a cat

 

About to hit 90,000.

 

Wow. She's just a baby. Good luck with the repair.

 

Yeah, she's in great shape and just trying to keep her that way.

I have a serious case of OCD which is good until it's not good to my wallet. Looking under my truck created a long list of things I'm looking to replace.

 

What state are you from?? Is it one of the salt belt states

 

there "should" be an emissions sticker under the hood. That will tell you if she was built to Federal Standards (FED), California (CAL), Canadian (CAN) and what it left the factory with... HOS(2) = 2 heated Oxygen Sensors, CAT + CAT = 2 Catalytic convertors or CAT for one.