I haven't had any issues lately with the truck not starting up, I guess I fixed that part. I still have the issue where I loose power for a few seconds after driving for a minute or two...usually it happens just after pulling out of a parking lot. I took a closer look at the cat and it doesn't sound like anything is loose in there.
Working on getting the O2 sensor out...that thing is a pain. I tried with the pipes warm, a brand new wrench and some rust spray...stripped the nut. I can't get the box end of the wrench over the connector either...I think I need to find that slotted socket set.
By the way, with the O2 unplugged, my engine light came on...would that come on if the O2 sensor was bad, or does it not always know when it is bad.

 

When my front O2 sensor went bad my light came on. Be careful not to spay too much penetrating lube on it, It might make it's way onto the O2 sensor and compromise it. Then you'd REALLY need to change it. Best of luck!!!

 

Stoners on the hood? well quit storing your weed in the windshield wiper pocket... jeez..

Oh... never mind.. I red that wrong... carry on...

 

Still can't get the O2 sensor out, even with a new slotted socket...used a torque wrench (because it was long and I could get good leverage) and it stripped the nut, I guess I have to bring it to a shop.
Also, now the sputtering is lasting a lot longer. I am noticing that the sound is coming further from the front than the cat.
Also, the brake light and ABS light come on sometimes...I don't know if that is related or not.
The check engine light stays on now, it has been on ever since I unplugged the sensor, but after plugging it back in (because I can't get it out) it stays on.
Grrrrrrrrr

 

I don't know if you were planning to reuse the sensor but this is when I would go to the Vise-Grips ... actually, I would have done it before getting a new socket.

The CEL can always be reset. I use a reader but someone here said that resetting the PCM will clear it ... never tried it myself. Disconnect the (-) terminal on the battery (you should do this any time you work on the truck anyway) and try to crank it over for 20 or 30 seconds.

 

If you have a good old fashioned pipe wrench that will work too, and you can smack it with a hammer (or put a pipe on the end of it, if you have room). I had the same problem once a 2000 Dakota. The threads will probably get f'd up, so buy an 18mm thread chaser.

 

Finally got the O2 sensor out. New 22mm wrench, new 22mm O2 socket, and vise-grips didn't work. Warm pipes, a hammer and a new 10" pipe wrench did the trick...I think I even did a little dance. Got 3 new tools out of it. Disconnected the battery and cranked it over for a while reset the CEL. Thanks.
Going to try running it with the new sensor, hopefully it fixes my problem.

 

Update:
Replaced the O2 sensor a few days ago...didn't do any other exhaust work yet. Haven't noticed any problems since the sensor was replaced
Thanks for the help.