Old-Raptor-guy
FRF Addict
In my experience, I have performed the desulfurization procedure that Ford published with mixed results. I have seen about 50% of those vehicles return and Ford says immediately put a cat in it. I will say however that I have had customers not want to purchase the Ford cat due to cost and availability and go with a cheaper aftermarket cat and have had very poor results with them.
Ford wants the catalyst oxygen storage value to be under .500, with bad cats I usually see them in the .700-.800 range. With aftermarket cats (cheap ones) I have seen them come back with under 5,000 miles on them with values in the .900 range.
I have not had any experience with some of the "higher end" aftermarket and performance vendors such as SPS to know how they hold up.
Long story short keep "good" gas in it, maintain your truck (poor oil change history can lead to excessive ring wear and other drivability issues) which can lead to catalyst contamination. If you get a P0420 or 430 it wouldn't hurt to try Ford's desulfurization procedure and if it returns (or doesn't help) I would go with a Ford cat or at least a higher quality aftermarket.
-Joe
I don't know who this guy is or what he does, but he knows EXACTLY what he is talking about!!!
Aftermarket cats are hit or miss. At my shop we are all but done dealing with Aftermarket cats.
You get what you pay for!!!