any tips/tricks to getthing the sensor off? its covered in mud and doesnt want to budge. I know sometimes these things get hot enough to basically weld themselves on.

 

Chemicals, a pipe wrench, and a BFH.

 

I fixed that for ya!

 

hahaha any harm to just cutting the whole cat out and just replacing it with some pipe and a new O2?

 

Not if you don't have emission inspection there.....

May get O2 code, but you can use the O2 sensor trick with the anti fouler adapter.

 

I gotta say if the engine seems to run fine and the rpms just climb without the transmission shifting why do you guys think its a plugged cat?... sounds to me like tranny related issue..... what happens when you shift manually through the gears?
if its just having trouble on inclines that one thing but just not shifting out of low gear is another all together....

sounds like the tranny is in limp home mode to me.... governor soleniod likely plugged with shavings.... one reason never to use OD while towing or carrying a heavy load...

 

I still havent been able to get the O2 off. This is probably a stupid idea but is there a way to cut it off and trick the computer into thinking its still there?

@AugieDoggy - that is sure as hell what I thought too but after taking it down the street the other day with a cold engine, everything seemed fine. Shifted well and all. Im going to replace the MAP and try and get rid of this cat/O2 problem and hope that solves the issue.

 

Run the truck so the exhaust is nice and toasty warm. Put the biggest pipe wrench you got on it, and SMACK it with a hammer. It'll come loose.

You don't really want to get rid of the pre-cat O2.... that is what has the most profound effect on your fuel economy. (or lack thereof, as the case may be....)