Fin decided to change the wife's transmission fluid and the damn catalytic converter is right under the damn trans pan, I've already got the pan pulled, thought I could drop the pan without removing the cat, boy, was I wrong, Grrrrrrrr.....

I'm to the point of dropping the whole damn exhaust from the header back!

What year are you working on Knight? Zophar is a Ford tech, maybe he knows a trick or two.{I hope}
List engine as well please. 

That looks rough.  I would advise asking Zophar, he and I have had many conversations about cars over the years, he knows his stuff, really well, and has worked on a lot of stuff.  If anyone could help you, it is him.
 
I heard nothing good about that era of exploder, some family has had them, mostly not so good, but the earlier models from the late 80s and early 90s did really well, my uncle had like 400k miles on his before he gave it up for an excursion, 5 kids dont fit in an exploder so well.

I got an Impala last year. Worst decision ever, already spent 1500$ to get freaking transmission fixed. I don't know but American cars suck hard. Next car is going to be a Japanese one.

Prob look into "wife"  getting a newer generation Jeep SUV "2000-2010" , mother-n-law drives a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, she says shes never had a prob with it, good MPG, but when i drive it, too many blind spots, father-n-law drives a 2010 Ford 250 and has been in the shop 4 or 5 times already. Im loving my 91 XJ Cherokee, and im looking forward to the straight six rebuild/all new bushings  super eazy to work on.......
 
Back to the Evil....
Looks like Ill have to drop the exhaust from the Header and the way to the muffler or tip. Or just cut the exhaust pipe before and after the cat, reinstall the trans pan, and go see the Muffler Shop down the road, to have re-weld the the pipes.
 
 

In the long run I bet it is best to have your Local Muffler Shop do it.
Faster and less time on your hands for them to do it.

knightsilver
Spend what free time i have to rebuild the Jeep this summer. And on that note, who makes/builds a good wide body_ish SUV, 2000-2010_ish, and under $5K?

Toyota. They won't jump out and bite you, but they are out there. Guy on my Landcruiser Forum just picked up a '97 80 series for $2,500.

Look at the 4Runner's......a Landcruiser is a bit overkill for your wife lol.