So I bought a 99 build of 3/98, with 120k in Idaho, traded in my 10 for some cash back and no payments, plus I can work on the 99 without needed a shop to remove cab. Anyway, truck has no CAT converter, and in order to register it here in CA I have to pass smog. CA says the pre 12/98 build 99 model year superduty must have a cat. Not having any luck except 2300 for an OEM replacement. Truck was bought from a dealer in Idaho, so I would imagine it would have to have any factory present emissions equip to legally be sold, but I'm not 100% on the laws. Any suggestions.....

Pics will follow soon as I can get a non rainy day to take some (yes it's actually raining in sac today)

-Nick

 

Look on the underside of your hood for a sticker like this. Most do not require a cat. Mine is a 2002 CA model with no cat. All the smog techs I have used go by the sticker.

Is yours AT or Manual? Any engine mods? Passing smog is not that hard, but visible mods will make the techs look harder or charge extra.

 

No VECI sticker is present. Has an intake, but it is by AFE and they are listed as carb compliant, filled out their request form for a new sticker to go one intake. Not sure what all has been done to tuck other than turbo back exhaust and an edge programmer, that I will most likely have to remove.

Going off my talk with the smog tech today, won't even look at truck until I get a CAT as the ca air resources board's book says that a 99 model year manufactured prior to 12/98 is required to have a cat, a 99 model year manufactured after 12/98 is not unless it is a stick. Mine is an auto with a build date of 3/98.

Bought truck from a ford dealer out of state, I have contacted dealer with what smog tech said and asked if they can produce a VECI sticker that says its non-catalyst, or what they would be willing to do to help me out.

I think they are obligated to disclose if the emissions system is missing parts prior to sale, wich they didn't. I'm not sure on the laws but I think they could be in some hot water, as I had to sign paperwork stating the vehicle I traded to them had not had the emissions tampered with it I would be liable for cost of repairs or required to buy it back. I would imagine this is a two way street.

Hoping for them best....but so far I am afraid I'm about to get the shaft.

 

Have you tried a muffler shop, they should have cheaper aftermarket cats. For my gasser car, spent $200 for a new cat. Not as good as OEM, but good enough to pass smog.

 

If all else fails try this website: Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

With a bit of patience you can find most parts there and they usually ship nationwide.

The e99 truck in my sig had a cat from the factory and it was a non-CA model...spent all of its life in the SE.

 

Only if he finds a nice shop that doesn't look close.

CARB laws state he has to have an OEM cat for his truck, made for his year truck, with proper numbers. It cannot be an aftermarket cat, and it can't be a cat from a newer truck (made to fit) like from a 6.0 PSD.

Stewart

 

Seems like making a sticker would be a good idea
I'm in Michigan.... What do I care




Seriously though, if this thread is up long enough someone who upgraded may be able to help you out.

 

A good used one has to be out there. I had my cat sitting in my side yard for more than ten years before putting it back on. Mine's a 10/98 CA truck.

 

Well per my conversation with the owner of the dealer I purchased feom, he will have a meeting with his service manager and see what they can do to help make it right. Not getting my hopes up, if anybody knows of one I can get my hands on, perhaps we could arrange a trade.

 

"CARB laws state he has to have an OEM cat for his truck, made for his year truck, with proper numbers. It cannot be an aftermarket cat, and it can't be a cat from a newer truck (made to fit) like from a 6.0 PSD."

I was told at one time this very thing and to add to it, it needs to be installed by the dealer as well to be legal. Not sure if that is fact though.

 

Your right side valve cover sticker will tell the story. I know we have several '99 trucks in our California fleet and they do not require the cat....but I don't know what their build dates are. Here are photos of each type of '99 valve cover sticker.

 

I believe the cutoff date is 99.5 (not sure of actual date) - 03.5 (end of 7.3 production)

 

I think auto nation ford had them for 1500 or so. A little saving at least. But if its an out of state truck I believe some didn't require it so if so you would have to go in front of the carb or dmv for a waiver. Your vin should tell you where it was built then go from there. Hope the dealer helps you out. If not report them to there Department of highway or what ever and let them know. If you have a copy of what you signed about smog with the trade in, that should help out on who to call.

 

As Hydro posted, I do believe all E99 rigs, no matter where they are from, came with cats from the factory.

Stewart

 

OK, I live in the LA area, and here is what I know from first hand experience:

1. On my gas car, I just had an aftermarket cat installed by my local muffler shop, and it immediately passed smog at a test-only star station, my old cat was toast, it was an oem cat with 200k miles on it.

2. The smog tech told me not to go to the dealer, because oem cats there a very expensive, but they also last much longer than aftermarket cats.

3. Aftermarket cats are absolutely allowed, if they are CARB approved for the vehicle they are being used on. So maybe this is not true for this model year truck, that I don't know.

4. Only licensed shops can install cats. Cats can't be sold individually to the public, a licensed shop has to install them. You also can't buy a cat on the Internet and have it shipped to a CA address, at least not legally.

5. Used cats are 100% illegal to sell, use, buy, and install. I tried to buy one, and everyone I asked said the same thing.

6. A 49-state cat may not be CARB-approved in CA, apparently they have CARB approved cats and Federal (49-state) cats, and they are not interchangeable.

Some more suggestions:

1. With your VIN go to a Ford dealer, and ask them if that under hood emissions lable (VECI label?) is available for your truck. Or, ask them to look up your truck by VIN, and check to see if it originally had a cat from the factory.

2. Call a few muffler shops and ask them if they have aftermarket cats for your diesel truck, if yes how much.

3. Go to another smog check station, and ask them the same thing, if your truck really needs an oem cat then you'll have no choice but to go to the dealer. If your Idaho dealer is willing to help, maybe they can arrange something with your local dealer.

You said you haven't had much luck, so maybe you already tried these things. In that case sorry we can't help more, living in Cali sucks sometimes. I feel your pain, I once got stuck with $2500 worth of DMV back-fees, that I wasn't told about. I either payed them or I park the truck. . .