missing/hollow 4.0 ohv rear cat's

[blackhawk2k7]

Took my '99 4.0 ohv to a local shop today to figure out why my CEL was on,and found out that my truck had nothing inside of the catalytic converter housings in the rear. Just, empty nothingness, which was causing this weird empty hallow exhaust note. Anyway, I was wondering if there was a cheaper alternative to buying a new rear cat? (Under $200). I searched local yards, and they all said that they only had 2.5's and 3.0's and that they wouldn't sell used cats (wtf??). Is there a universal cat I can use instead that works almost the same? I am a welder by trade, and can do metalworking at my shop on my rig. Would a stick of 2.5" exhaust tubing, and universal cat clear my CEL?

Thanks

 

[kunar]

Pretty sure its an EPA thing about selling used cats. Something about having to test and certify them before they can legally be resold. Anyways, last I knew you could get a universal spun cat on eBay for around $50. Don't know for sure if it will clear the light... It should, but ya never know I guess...

 

[AgPete139]

Depends. Get a universal cat for a truck if it can be specified.

I thought Ranger exhausts were 2.25".

It's a crap shoot with whichever cat you buy. I've done it before with success. Go for it.

And yes, because of the metals and elements, it is illegal for resale or profit.

 

[RonD]

yes, 2.5" would be fine

As long as it is working, a universal cat will clear the code.
The computer on OBDII vehicles have an O2 sensor(downstream) behind the cat or cats, computer compares the lean/rich numbers from upstream O2 sensors to downstream O2 sensor, this determines if cat is working, cleaning the exhaust.
So working cat = no CEL............if that is the only issue.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Summit has universal 3-way cats starting around $45-$50.

I had one of my cat's come apart before. Might want to check out the rest of your exhaust and in the muffler. Happened in my '94 GMC, a chunk wedged sideways in the tube. All the sudden the truck had NO top end and made this "woosh"ing sound past 2000 rpm...

There were 2 more bigger chunks that made it behind this one...
(hopefully Photobucket resized it)