So it finally happened. Always read about this online, but did not think it would happen to me (really my dad). Its a pretty old van, but its in good shape. Its very valuable to my dads business because it is actually a Baker Equipment bucket truck, only has 50k miles!

I am trying to figure out the best bolt on replacement cat.

I found this one:
More Information for WALKER 54437

Here is the complete exhaust diagram:
More Information for WALKER 53521

Rockauto list several cats as direct fit for a 1999 E350 5.4L, but this one looks most like the stock one, if I can remember. They were nice enough to not chop of the triangle shaped flange, so I will reuse it. Any input before ordering would be much appreciated.

I quickly looked at the Ford Parts site, and the list price on this thing from them is like $1700! Going to spend the extra money and replace the muffler and tailpipe while im at it. Thanks!

 

More Information for WALKER 16203

This is the other Walker cat they list. Seems its for vans under 9500 GVW. I assume that this van has the maximum GVW as it was converted to a bucket truck when new.

BUT it is $200 VS. $400 of the larger cat. Would it be that wrong to install this one? This van will be maintained and kept forever, so we have no problem getting the right part, just curious.

 

Door Tag should give you the right GVW, other than that sounds like a good plan. As for the Thieves they'll wait a few weeks or a month and come back for the new one too!

 

I will double check the GVW then, its gotta be the right cat, I remember it kinda looking like a peanut. And if its wrong Rockauto is pretty easy with returns, still $200 less then the local parts store.

The rest of the exhaust is pretty clean being parked most of the winter, but I dont want to add a filler piece, so just going to do the whole thing fresh.


Any ideas on preventing this? I was think of tack welding on 4 lengths of chain, or purchasing something like this that sounds an alarm if cut: Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft | CatStrap? I think the fact is if you have anything over the cat the criminal is just going to move to the next car. There is also, cat clamps, and they are like $600!!

Think we will be better off just parking it behind my dads office, and not behind this offsite building anymore. What a damn shame, seems almost silly.

 

Can you tell what tool/s they used to remove the cat?

Can you fit a skid plate to hinder access?

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles

 

Yeah real clean cut with a sawzall, Ill get a few pics when I go over to my dads place in a bit. Thinking about buying four lengths of square security chain, for the top, bottom and both sides. Would cost me about $70.

Security Maxx Chain 3/8

 

Well if they come back and you armor it up, they'll be pissed off and break out your windows and or slash the tires......LOL, Take it home, put it in your Shop, get a RV parking place at a local gated storage lot. Your on the shopping list now!

 

I don't why anyone would bother stealing any scrap metal. The prices for just about all scrap metal suck right now.

Here you go.

CatClamp Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Lock

Let them try to cut through this stuff!!!

 

Hey thanks!

 

Here are some pics:





Sure enough it has a 9500 GVW




Hey and I had one one question about the front brakes: when you buy the complete rotor and hub assembly, are the new bearing races already installed? More Information for MOTORCRAFT BRR23

 

Well if you don't have emissions testing where you're at, count your blessings and put a straight pipe there

 

Pretty clean Van, It's illegal for a muffler shop to permanently remove a cat, but if the cat is already gone most of them don't have a problem with (helping) you out. The Rotors should have new Races and be ready to go out of the box...........

 

Cool thanks for the input on the rotors. Cant really beat $105 each for Motorcraft parts and not having to deal with removing the old hub. Any rust you see is strictly surface, and I am going to power wash it, then coat it completely with chassis coat. All in all going to be putting a few grand into the van in the next few months doing basically everything, and then the thing is getting fresh paint, decals and hydraulic hoses for the bucket.

Cat is definitely going back on. I was under the impression that on a fuel injected vehicle it would run rich without one.

 

Everything went pretty smooth, those rearmost duel muffler hangers are a real PITA!! Had to cut the old tailpipe off the old muffler to get it out, something I did not have to do on my 2004 F250. Going to make final adjustments today, and make sure it does not rattle.

The Walker stuff is nice for the money (all made in USA), would highly recommend for stock replacement. Be sure to install a new triangle gasket, and I used 3/8"x 1.5" galvanized bolts to replace the ones I cut off.



Oh, and I posted somewhere that I was confused about what transmission this 1999 van had, definitely a 4R100.

 

Nice work, money spent on equipment like that is never wasted. I can't even imagine how much a new rig like that would cost...........