Have a 97 standard cab 2WD, replacing entire exhaust system. I am having issues where the cat assemblies will not quite reach the exhaust manifolds, there is a very small gap on both sides. The right pipe has the crossover pipe as part of it, and there are two mounting flanges with studs on them. They attach to a bracket assembly that is attached to the back of the transmission. It looks like that bracket has rubber insulators on the two L-shaped parts that mate to the crossover pipe, and if I could slide the two L-shaped brackets forward a bit, that might get the cats closer to the engine, but they are not budging. I am not seeing this mounting bracket on any parts diagrams that I can find. Has anyone had this bracket issue? Can it be removed so I can get it freed up again?

 

I would say remove them.