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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

My '99 Toyota Tacoma puddle jumper Check Engine light came on. Took it  
to the Phoenix dealer who charged me ninety-five dollars to tell me  
the catalytic converter needs replacement. Estimate is nearly twelve  
hundred dollars. I called the Toyota dealer service manager in West  
Plains, Missouri, for whom I have high regard. He says they will do  
the same job for just over eight hundred dollars. Being frugal and  
having many building projects waiting for dollars, I pressed on. He  
says no harm will be done to the engine if the converter is not  
replaced. There will only be the annoyance of the light staying on. As  
I intend to register the truck in Missouri, which has no smog  
requirements, that is the option I choose.

He also divulged that he cannot legally remove the converter but that  
some muffler shops will do that, sans service ticket.

Anyone have experience?