Toyota Repair: Check Engine Light on 98 Landcruiser, toyota landcrusier, prestige factor

Question
Ted,

I have a 1998 Toyota Landcrusier with 126,000 miles. I bought it used with 58,000 miles because it has great reliability and it can hold my large family and not as much for the prestige factor. Two days ago the check engine light came on. I stopped by my local repair shop and they told me it is probably an 02 sensor. The truck is running fine. I also have a rattle coming from the catalytic converters. I saw a previous service bulletin that you had responded about. My question is this - it feels like the Toyota dealer looks at someone who drives a Landcruiser as Mr. Money Bags and the repairs can be expensive. I got an initial quote of $300 to replace the 02 sensor. Is there a way that I can check the truck myself and is this an easy repair that I could handle? Also can the heat shields on the catalytic converters be welded to stop the rattle?

Answer
There are two O2 sensors that need to be replaced but $300 sounds reasonable, they are not easy to get to so I don't advise this as a do it yourself repair, the heat shields are normally replaced because of the rattle noises, you may want to contact a muffler shop and ask them if they can be welded on to eliminate the noise.