steeldirigible
Jul 10 2008, 04:19pm
Just got my new Gibson Exhaust on, took picture so thought I'd make an article over viewing the install and the troubles that I had. this exhaust is the dual rear exhaust, only available for ext cab, but I made it work on my reg cab with out too much extra work.
First thing to do is empty out all the parts and see that you have everything.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044347_7810.jpg
Now we take off the old exhaust. Just remove the two bolts at the flange between muffler and cats, unbolt the hanger at the tailpipe, and unbolt hanger at the muffler or just cut it. However, DO NOT cut the rubber or anything above it because you do reuse the top part of the hanger. Easiest thing for me was to unbolt the entire hanger from the top using a 1/2" closed end ratchet and then cut the metal so I could slide the rubber hanger off the muffler itself. I didn't take pictures until after the old exhaust was out, sorry if it is somewhat unclear.
I did have to cut the tail pipe to be able to work it out over the axle, where you can see in the picture right at the tailpipe.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044348_8151.jpg
This is the new muffler hanging in place. The new hanger is the part clamped around the muffler up to the T, then from rubber up was re-used. That is what NOT to cut when removing old exhaust. Just work the including metal hanger into both of the rubber hangers, back and forth, whatever it takes, it isn't too hard.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044350_8669.jpg
Put the over-axle pipes into the muffler with clamps lightly tightened. Then hang them in the back from the frame.
On the driver's side, where my trailer hitch was installed, it used the bolt hole that the hanger should use.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044351_8946.jpg
Hold the tailpipe in place to see which hole in the hanger you want to use, then drill it out to fit over that bolt. You may or may not need to do that, depending on if you have a hitch or if it is different or whatever.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044355_24.jpg
On the passenger side tailpipe, there was a hole, actually two, in the frame that I was able to use. I used the hole farther from the hitch because in the one closer, it would not pull up to the frame properly because of the hitch.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044361_1684.jpg
Now you can attach the exit pipe to the overaxle pipe using another clamp. there will be two clamps here, one looped through the hanger and one clamping exit pipe on. You may choose to weld it if you like, I don't have a welder, and exhaust clamps work fine if tightened properly.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044359_1135.jpg
I left the pipe from muffler to cat off, because I have a reg. cab. That pipe is made for extended cab, and is too long, and because of the bend, not easily able to cut shorter and fit in. I chose to take it to the exhaust shop. If you have the extended cab, I presume it would fit just fine.
Here is the muffler-to-cat pipe:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044357_565.jpg
And the empty space where it goes:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044349_8406.jpg
I tightened up the hanger on front of the muffler to where it wouldn't fall, but not all the way tight. Check over the system make sure everything is in the right place, minus the muffler-to-cat pipe if you left it out. Make sure it is away from fuel lines brake lines, shocks, etc. by 1" as recommended by Gibson.
Tighten all exhaust clamp bolts with an impact wrench. If you don't have one, you need to buy one, borrow one, be super strong, or just weld it, because it has to be tight enough to clamp the pipes down on whichever pipe is inside it. It isn't really necessary on hanger pipes, but you should still get them good and tight.
As you tighten, make sure the system stays in place. It might help to have a second set of hands to work it in place and keep it there. when you have tightened down all the clamps and everything, attach the Stainless tips if you haven't already. they just need to be tight enough to where the don't fall off.
I then took it to the exhaust shop, running out through cats and dumped under the cab. It isn't too awful loud. At the exhaust shop I just asked them to put in a piece of pipe where it was needed, they welded it in for me for $35, not bad, but if you have access to a welder and some exhaust pipe it's cheaper to do it yourself.
Here it is welded in:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044362_1952.jpg
The exhaust isn't a whole lot louder than stock, it does sound better though, but not like the muscle car sound i hoped for. I know it's hard with a V6. It isn't ricey though. I can't hear any sign of an exhaust leak either.
And for some reason the driver side tail pipe was farther to the side than passenger side. (They weren't centered evenly) It could be fixed I suppose, but I let it slide. You can sort of see it here:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044353_9475.jpg
And here's my Ranger on the lift:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044358_843.jpg
Please let me know any corrections to my methods. It worked out alright for me, but I probably left something out.
First thing to do is empty out all the parts and see that you have everything.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044347_7810.jpg
Now we take off the old exhaust. Just remove the two bolts at the flange between muffler and cats, unbolt the hanger at the tailpipe, and unbolt hanger at the muffler or just cut it. However, DO NOT cut the rubber or anything above it because you do reuse the top part of the hanger. Easiest thing for me was to unbolt the entire hanger from the top using a 1/2" closed end ratchet and then cut the metal so I could slide the rubber hanger off the muffler itself. I didn't take pictures until after the old exhaust was out, sorry if it is somewhat unclear.
I did have to cut the tail pipe to be able to work it out over the axle, where you can see in the picture right at the tailpipe.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044348_8151.jpg
This is the new muffler hanging in place. The new hanger is the part clamped around the muffler up to the T, then from rubber up was re-used. That is what NOT to cut when removing old exhaust. Just work the including metal hanger into both of the rubber hangers, back and forth, whatever it takes, it isn't too hard.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044350_8669.jpg
Put the over-axle pipes into the muffler with clamps lightly tightened. Then hang them in the back from the frame.
On the driver's side, where my trailer hitch was installed, it used the bolt hole that the hanger should use.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044351_8946.jpg
Hold the tailpipe in place to see which hole in the hanger you want to use, then drill it out to fit over that bolt. You may or may not need to do that, depending on if you have a hitch or if it is different or whatever.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044355_24.jpg
On the passenger side tailpipe, there was a hole, actually two, in the frame that I was able to use. I used the hole farther from the hitch because in the one closer, it would not pull up to the frame properly because of the hitch.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044361_1684.jpg
Now you can attach the exit pipe to the overaxle pipe using another clamp. there will be two clamps here, one looped through the hanger and one clamping exit pipe on. You may choose to weld it if you like, I don't have a welder, and exhaust clamps work fine if tightened properly.
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044359_1135.jpg
I left the pipe from muffler to cat off, because I have a reg. cab. That pipe is made for extended cab, and is too long, and because of the bend, not easily able to cut shorter and fit in. I chose to take it to the exhaust shop. If you have the extended cab, I presume it would fit just fine.
Here is the muffler-to-cat pipe:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044357_565.jpg
And the empty space where it goes:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044349_8406.jpg
I tightened up the hanger on front of the muffler to where it wouldn't fall, but not all the way tight. Check over the system make sure everything is in the right place, minus the muffler-to-cat pipe if you left it out. Make sure it is away from fuel lines brake lines, shocks, etc. by 1" as recommended by Gibson.
Tighten all exhaust clamp bolts with an impact wrench. If you don't have one, you need to buy one, borrow one, be super strong, or just weld it, because it has to be tight enough to clamp the pipes down on whichever pipe is inside it. It isn't really necessary on hanger pipes, but you should still get them good and tight.
As you tighten, make sure the system stays in place. It might help to have a second set of hands to work it in place and keep it there. when you have tightened down all the clamps and everything, attach the Stainless tips if you haven't already. they just need to be tight enough to where the don't fall off.
I then took it to the exhaust shop, running out through cats and dumped under the cab. It isn't too awful loud. At the exhaust shop I just asked them to put in a piece of pipe where it was needed, they welded it in for me for $35, not bad, but if you have access to a welder and some exhaust pipe it's cheaper to do it yourself.
Here it is welded in:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044362_1952.jpg
The exhaust isn't a whole lot louder than stock, it does sound better though, but not like the muscle car sound i hoped for. I know it's hard with a V6. It isn't ricey though. I can't hear any sign of an exhaust leak either.
And for some reason the driver side tail pipe was farther to the side than passenger side. (They weren't centered evenly) It could be fixed I suppose, but I let it slide. You can sort of see it here:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044353_9475.jpg
And here's my Ranger on the lift:
http://photos-324.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v295/80/32/779609324/n779609324_1044358_843.jpg
Please let me know any corrections to my methods. It worked out alright for me, but I probably left something out.