I'm in between big projects at the moment and trying to handle some smaller stuff that I can do without spending money. I think that gutting the cat falls into that category. Do I just pull it down and pound all of the crap out of it and bolt back up? Is it more complex than that? Eventually it will get a pipe through it but for now I just need to open it.

 

Just remove the rear pipe, pound the crap out of it and fire up the engine. It's fun to watch all the stuff fly out of there .
Some weld a pipe from end to end into the cat to help with exhaust gas flow.

 

X2 On what Cuda jim said. Also, I take the cat out of the truck and knock the guts out with a crow bar or something similar. It is a little calmer way to do it but which ever suits you is just fine. BTW, you will love having no cat!!!!!

 

Just take the pipe off the back side and use a hammer and a prybar or something along them lines and nock the guts out of it then start it up and blow the loose stuff out

 

Thats what I was hoping to hear. I was gonna do it today but had some trouble getting the pipe off of the back of the cat. Soon as I can get someone else to get down there and give me a hand I'll get er done