Rear Catalytic converter removal/install

[White_4x4Ranger]

Hello, My 2003 ranger 4.0 is having problems-super low on power and sub 10MPG, so I took it into a shop and they told me the problem is a plugged up rear cat.. They told me that they came to this conclusion by loosing the exhaust upstream of the rear cats and the truck ran just fine, leading them to believe that problem is the rear cat. They quoted me $2000 to replace it. That’s a lot of money, so I decided to see if I would be able to do it myself. I found the new cat on summit racing for $630, but I’m wondering how hard it is to remove the old one and install the new one.

 

[Josh B]

Why not get under there and look. Also search internet for clues to why it costs so much to change.
I have no clue what you have under there but I suppose just nuts and bolts holding it together, could be more so check it out good before you start tearing it apart
Also if you have the emissions tests there may be some official paperwork needed when getting one replaced, I really have no clue, ask at the parts stores about it, sometimes they can be helpful on some matters

 

[superj]

holy cow, that is a ton of money to change a cat. and to buy a cat. they are usually fairly cheap for a generic cat and then just have a shop weld it in place for 100 bucks, if you don't weld

 

[White_4x4Ranger]

Why not get under there and look. Also search internet for clues to why it costs so much to change.
I have no clue what you have under there but I suppose just nuts and bolts holding it together, could be more so check it out good before you start tearing it apart
Also if you have the emissions tests there may be some official paperwork needed when getting one replaced, I really have no clue, ask at the parts stores about it, sometimes they can be helpful on some matters

I've been doing some internet searching and it looks like I could get a replacement cat assembly for around $630 from Magnaflow. the problem is that it looks like it would be difficult or impossible to replace without getting it on a lift and removing the cross-brace. I'm in Washington so I don't have any emissions crap to worry about.

 

[White_4x4Ranger]

holy cow, that is a ton of money to change a cat. and to buy a cat. they are usually fairly cheap for a generic cat and then just have a shop weld it in place for 100 bucks, if you don't weld

I know how to weld. courtesy of school shop classes. Unfortunately, I don't have a welder, and am no longer in that shop class. I have found a Magnaflow direct fit cat assembly that would work, and that's $630. Still not cheap, but compared to what the shop wants, it's a good deal.

 

[Josh B]

How many cats it got? If it has one in front I might just make that one sneeze

 

[Josh B]

I used a little Freight Harbor Tools welder to build my trailer, using 1/8 X 1 1/4" angle. 8 of those come together at the tongue. I broke the trailer in by doing 4 600 mile/ 1200 mile RT loaded to the hilt

The welder could be hooked to either 110 or 220. It's been 18 years and it was less than $100 then. It worked fairly well in 220 mode too