Cat recycling (1 Viewer)

[Pitch]

So I struck out several times with local/traveling metal scrappers whom offered next to nothing for my old 80 series catalytic converters.

My current 80 has about 240k on the clock, and while I loved the quiet stock exhaust, it was starting to get smelly, and I figure that it was on borrowed time. Took it to a local exhaust shop, got everything new from the y-pipe back, and kept the old cats.

I found an online recycler, Rockaway Recycling Inc, who gave me an excellent quote for the cats, and the process was super easy. I boxed em up, got a label for free shipping on 19# of metal, and 1.5 wks later got a check for $560.

this was $265 more than I got for selling identical cats from another 1997 80 series only 5 mos ago. It nearly paid for my new exhaust .

Most of us have probably heard about catalytic converter theft recently, and it’s because the prices are waaaay up. I was happy to get a preventative “upgrade” just about paid for. Food for thought with anyone else whose 80’s still run an aging stock exhaust.

Rockaway Recycling - New Jersey Scrap Yard & Scrap Prices

Scrap Yard in Rockaway, New Jersey buying all types of scrap metal; Copper, Brass, Wire, Cable, Aluminum, & more. Updating Today's Scrap Prices Online.

rockawayrecycling.com

 

[Just Diddly]

What exhaust system did you end up going with? I've been looking around because my exhaust has gotten smelly enough that my friends don't particularly like following me on trail runs. I replaced a ton of stuff under the hood, OEM O2 sensors (wow those were not cheap for a 93), and the smell has gone down a lot but is definitely still there. I took like the quieter ride of the stock setup, but would like to allow things to open up at least a little bit and not have to plug my nose when I walk behind the rig while it's running.

 

[LongDuck]

I can't be the only one who thought of this...

 

[Living in the Past]

Curious did you have to provide any proof of ownership for the vehicle the CATs were off of? End of 2007 CATs thefts were up and I sweated having my 100 series and 4th gen 4Runner sitting in our driveway in Phoenix when in a few weeks would be moving with plenty of garage space. Hopefully this vendor is following the rules. I know scrape yards in Phoenix got caught we no proof of where the CATs came from. Remember one news story of a scrap yard caught with a City of Phoenix man hole cover with Phoenix cast into it.

 

[TWILLY]

I just replaced the exhaust system on my 94, from the manifold back. There was another 80 being worked on the same day--I bet that was yours, Pitch. But I had no idea I could get cash for my old cats.

Coincidently, my brother called the day mine was completed; he'd just had the exhaust on his '91 Toyota pickup replaced after someone had stolen his cats in the dark of night, in his front yard, and in a pretty nice neighborhood in Denver.

As part of that job, the Denver shop welded in a protective cage to deter future theft. Apparently that's now standard operating procedure in Denver given high rates of theft there.

 

[Living in the Past]

I just replaced the exhaust system on my 94, from the manifold back. There was another 80 being worked on the same day--I bet that was yours, Pitch. But I had no idea I could get cash for my old cats.

Coincidently, my brother called the day mine was completed; he'd just had the exhaust on his '91 Toyota pickup replaced after someone had stolen his cats in the dark of night, in his front yard, and in a pretty nice neighborhood in Denver.

As part of that job, the Denver shop welded in a protective cage to deter future theft. Apparently that's now standard operating procedure in Denver given high rates of theft there.

View attachment 2681959

I wonder how the solid plate compares to an open cage design. Maybe not an issue in Denver but sitting in traffic in Phoenix not sure how much heat is reflected up. They have a heat shield above the CAT but because heat rises don't think I would want any extra heat being reflected up.

The FJ62 has two CATs from the factory. If that was a well know fact think it would be high on thieves list two CATs less than a foot apart.

 

[Pitch]

@Just Diddly , after the first oxygen sensor, the pipes got bumped to 2.5 inches, into a single, generic, 3-Way catalytic converter. Next, the second oxygen sensor, then into a Dynomax 17615 turbo muffler, custom tail piping out the back to a small resonator. It is a touch louder than I would like, but overall pretty good, and I’m happy with it.

I did NOT go over the frame, but with the cat horizontal, and tucked closer to the frame, I still picked up about 2.5” of clearance.

 

[Pitch]

Curious did you have to provide any proof of ownership for the vehicle the CATs were off of?

Well, whenever I have sold them, a driver’s license is required. That’s it.

 

[Living in the Past]

Well, whenever I have sold them, a driver’s license is required. That’s it.

That really a big part of the problem, this makes it too easy to cash in on stolen CATs. Just a fake ID and someone turns in bunch and recycler doesn't care as long as he has something to right down in his records. Sure his makes a ton on CATs and doesn't care how the seller got it. Problem will solve itself in the future. No CAT on electric vehicles.

 

[Just Diddly]

@Just Diddly , after the first oxygen sensor, the pipes got bumped to 2.5 inches, into a single, generic, 3-Way catalytic converter. Next, the second oxygen sensor, then into a Dynomax 17615 turbo muffler, custom tail piping out the back to a small resonator. It is a touch louder than I would like, but overall pretty good, and I’m happy with it.

I did NOT go over the frame, but with the cat horizontal, and tucked closer to the frame, I still picked up about 2.5” of clearance.

Awesome, thank you!

 

[DSRTRDR]

I can't be the only one who thought of this...
View attachment 2681056

exactly - when I read the thread title, I immediately though: "this is going to raise animal welfare concerns"