FJ62 Custom Exhaust. Reinstall Catalytic Converter...

[MCTurman]

So I'm buying this:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1988-fj62-in-hillsborough-nc.860239/

The truck is in NC where vehicles older than 1995 are exempt from emissions testing, and I'm bringing it to Denver where vehicles older than 1981 are exempt from emissions testing. (It's paid for but it's not here yet...)

I has a custom exhaust and I just found out that the Cat was also removed.

My question are:
1) What modifications were most likely done to disable the O2 sensor and prevent the check engine light from signaling?
2) How difficult is it to reinstall a Cat and O2 sensor and get the sensor reconnected?
3) How much is this going to cost?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[MCTurman]

After doing some more research I see now that there are actually two O2 sensors and they're most likely still intact as removing them would probably cause some performance issues. I guess I'll be buying at least one Cat though... Does anyone know of a good, bolt-in, manifold back exhaust for the '88? I'm not turning up much on Google.

 

[dbleon]

Am exhaust shop should be able to help you out...if you don't have a welder and some time.

Run the cat if you can. They make the air easier to breath for those behind you on the road and on the trail too. You will not notice much of a performance gain on a tractor engine without one...of course unless it's clogged

 

[MCTurman]

I didn't think I had a choice in the matter as I have to pass emissions. And even if I didn't I'd still want a cat for the exact reasons you mention.

Am I correct about the O2 sensors? Can they be bypassed without a check engine light and performance issue or are they most likely intact?

 

[Output Shaft]

AFAIK, the 3FE ECU meters the fuel (rich, lean) based on the feedback from the O2 sensor. I think it is a necessary component regardless of smog and the engine would probably run like ka ka without it. O2 sensors are relatively easy to install. Drill a hole. Weld a bung. Screw it in. The custom exhaust in your new cruiser probably has an O2 sensor already installed.

 

[MCTurman]

let's hope so. Would make this much easier. Should I be concerned about the jankity way they welded the exhaust to the existing manifold connectors?

 

[Output Shaft]

I'd be more concerned about someone stealing it. That thing's sweet.
Once you get it, just drive it around and enjoy it (once it passes the smog Olympics).
Everyone's cruiser has some issues going on, minor or not so minor. That's what makes them fun.
You'll find things to tinker with, be it the exhaust, or the color of the front grill.....

 

[MCTurman]

I know. Cannot wait to get it here. I'm actually thinking about taking it back closer to stock. Factory wheels, less aggressive tires, remove the rack. I'm debating the bumpers. I love the way this one is built but I'm nostalgic for that classic look. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Output Shaft]

Yeah,
If your ego (or driving terrain) is not dependent upon big rubber, smaller thinner tires drive SO much better on the road. Those big Mickey Thompson mud tires are gunna be kinda loud, suck the power, suck the braking distance and mpg. A roof rack is great, but if you're not needing one right away, take it off. They whistle on the freeway and make the car lean more when it turns.
Also, if you do decide to go with smaller tires, check the length of the rear shackle. If it's longer than stock, get a stock length. It will drop the rear a bit and improve the shackle angle for a smoother ride.

 

[MCTurman]

only the spare is a Mickey. The others are BFG MT's. I'll stick with 33's but probably a standard AT. I'm getting rid of a 13 JKU Rubicon so this will be my DD but I do still plan on wheelin it, too.

 

[MCTurman]

So, I just got the truck home about a week ago and things are worse than I thought. It turns out the O2 sensors and cats were removed by the PO.

I pulled the ECM codes:

21: Heated oxygen sensor (H02S) 1 circuit
25: Mixture control -continuously lean
26: Mixture control -continuously rich
28: Heated oxygen sensor (H02S) 2 circuit
41: Throttle position (TP) sensor -circuit

At this point I'm wondering if it would be easier/cheaper getting O2 sensor mounts and cats added to this custom exhaust or purchasing an OEM setup...

The truck runs surprisingly well without these components and mpg doesn't seem to be affected at all.

 

[overhanger]

A A Performance Muffler & Brokers
3898 S Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113
(303) 806-8634

Scott will hook you up with a great system at a not-unreasonable price. Many folks in the Rising Sun sing his praises.

 

[MCTurman]

Thanks for the reference, overhanger. Does anyone make a good after-market bolt-in system? Also, I can't seem to find where o2 sensors connect to the engine. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[cruisermatt]

Nothing bolt in. When you say "removed" the O2 sensors, can you elaborate on this?

Slee sells O2 sensor bungs. See if your states regulations will low you to only have 1 cat instead of 2.

 

[MCTurman]

Hey, cruisermatt. Thanks for chiming in. I've been following your build thread for quite some time now. It's one of the reasons I decided to jump into this mess.

Anyhow, by "removed" I mean they aren't installed. No mounts, no nuthin'. As I mentioned above, I can't seem to figure out where they would connect on the engine side so I'm not sure if the connectors have been clipped or not. Thanks for the tip on the O2 sensor bungs. I didn't even know something like that existed! There aren't any issues here with using a single cat, however, the current system has both pipes running directly into the muffler so I'd need two if I went that route.

Overhanger, I talked to Scott at Performance Muffler. Super friendly and really seems to know his stuff. He quoted me ~$750 for a complete exhaust with a single cat after the Y-pipe. That includes the O2 sensor mounts but not the O2 sensors so I'm looking at another $120 or so for new OEM ones. He said that's the typical setup he does for the 60-series. Does that seem like a reasonable price?

 

[cruisermatt]

I'd pay that if its quality work. I think the O2 sensors are NLA, but there are aftermarket ones easily available. You can't find the connectors on the engine harness?! That's not good.

 

[MCTurman]

It's not necessarily that they're not there, I'm just not sure where to look. Can you point me in the right direction?

 

[overhanger]

Hey, cruisermatt. Thanks for chiming in. I've been following your build thread for quite some time now. It's one of the reasons I decided to jump into this mess.

Anyhow, by "removed" I mean they aren't installed. No mounts, no nuthin'. As I mentioned above, I can't seem to figure out where they would connect on the engine side so I'm not sure if the connectors have been clipped or not. Thanks for the tip on the O2 sensor bungs. I didn't even know something like that existed! There aren't any issues here with using a single cat, however, the current system has both pipes running directly into the muffler so I'd need two if I went that route.

Overhanger, I talked to Scott at Performance Muffler. Super friendly and really seems to know his stuff. He quoted me ~$750 for a complete exhaust with a single cat after the Y-pipe. That includes the O2 sensor mounts but not the O2 sensors so I'm looking at another $120 or so for new OEM ones. He said that's the typical setup he does for the 60-series. Does that seem like a reasonable price?

Where in Denver are you located? My 62 has an exhaust created by the pros at AA Muffler that you could take a look at and the O2 sensors too. I saw an ad recently for, I think, Denso sensors for around $35 each. The exhaust was built ten years ago and is still in great shape.

 

[MCTurman]

I'm in the DU area. You?

 

[MCTurman]

I'm in the DU area. You?