Replacing stolen catalytic converter in California

I got back to my car after work Friday (I drive part way and then take public transit) to find my catalytic converting missing.

After reading around a bit I guess I'm lucky they only unscrewed it instead of using a saw!

It seems like it should be as simple as getting a new one and screwing it into place (they even left me the bolts/nuts), but I wasn't thrilled by the $630 + gaskets quote from the local Toyota dealer. Is there a cheaper way to get this replaced that you guys could recommend?

The car is a 4 cylinder 1998 Tacoma.

I live in California, which seems to limit my options quite a bit from what I've seen googling around (most of the third party parts seem to be legal everywhere *but* California).

 

Insurance cover it?

 

heck Bear River Converters and talk to Lorin. He's the one that offers the TW discounts for the WickedFlows but I believe they have replacement stock converters.

http://www.bearriverconverters.com

and
http://www.bearriverconverters.com/CatalogCategories.aspx

 

apologies for getting off topic, but why do people steal cat. convertors?

 

because of the platuminum in them

 

I believe the reason is because scrap metal dealers will buy them for the tungsten (reference, although I first heard this from the guy I talked to at the Toyota Dealership).

Thanks for pointing me to Bear River Converters Toucan, I'll take a look.

STLharry I believe the insurance has at least a $500 deductible, but I am going to check into it.

 

did not know that....but now I do.

 

I saw an episode of Trucks! that featured a cat lock thing. They said Tacomas and 4runners are the most targeted for cat theft... that sucks man. You could always just leave it dump after the headers

 

screw it! run it like it is! louder=better

 

a couple of months ago someone left a flier on my truck that said that tacomas, tundras, 4runners where getting their cat's cut off while students where @ school...i drove around n only taco's n 4runners had papers on there windshield...
sucks to hear man

 

i catch any1 under my car or near my car, im gonna stick their fuckin heads up on my exhaust and ask if they want my cats now!

 

cut all the cats, throw in some long tubes, and befriend someone that runs a smog shop

 

for reals man...lol.

 

Or move to Kansas...

 

bump, my co-worker lives in Cali and drives a 2000 I4 Tacoma and just had his cat stolen yesterday, any updates on tips or places to go to get another one? straight pipes isnt an option