Hi, I need to replace 1996 f150 muffler hangers. Now most of the hangers are broken or missing. All hangers are welded. I have no welding or the muffler change experience. The hardest thing I did so far is basic tune up.

For example, I see a L shaped rod with rubber insulator and this is welded to the muffler pipe. I can't reproduce this.

Can I get several strap type of hangers and bolt them the best I can to the car frame?

Having said this, is it possible to tackle replacing whole exhaust system, down from the manifold outlet, without welder?

Thank you in advance for the advice.

 

Are the brackets broken at the pipe or at the frame? If they're just rusted off at the pipe then replace the piping. You can replace the whole exhaust without welding if you buy pre-bent piping. I got my mustangs factory bent exhaust piping at Discount auto parts, and it was fairly cheap. It was 2 parts, one pipe from the manifold halfway back which already had a cat welded in, and a second piece donut gasketed to it that ran to the muffler area. You can buy a muffler clamp and clamp your own muffler on. If you buy everything in stock specs it will bolt up with donut gaskets just like the original stuff, and the mounting brackets will already be there. However for the money you'll spend and the effort, its worth spending like 150 at a muffler shop and having them repipe it. The cost comes out to be about the same, and they can use bigger diameter piping and help out a little performance wise. Just my 2 cents.

 

You can take it to a shop and have them weld the hangers on the right way and then do the system yourself

 

Thank you both for the advice. I think going to the muffler shop is the smarter choice. But I remember going to these shops, Midas,etc., and having the muffler or the tail pipe rust off within the year. I'll do the research and decide if I am going to try this.
Another thing was that Autozone around here (northeast NJ) was not well stocked for muffler repair (not much parts on display to give me ideas) and helpers didn't know much about it. On line, is web store like the Autopartswarehouse.com the biggest around? Thank you.

 

I've never had much luck with the Midas's of the world either. If you can, find a reputable, privately owned muffler shop. I happen to have one about 3 blocks from (I know, I'm lucky) and he does the BEST exhaust ever. Shoot! My guy even stocks Flowmaster! Anyway, call around, ask around and see if you can find a local "muffler" shop. That's how you'll get the best product and the best price.

 

Agreed, stay away from midas, any reputable muffler shop will stock plenty of decent mufflers. I had a hooker muffler on my mustang, it was high temp powder coated, that shouldnt rust off anytime soon. Unfortunately I got rid of that car....

 

Good time to go to the Y that goes up a size to a single high capacity Cat (allowed for F-series). Followed by a non-restricted muffler. The Cat provides the small amount of back pressure required to ensure proper valve closure (This is what Muffler shops have always told me. I used to ski behind blown gas boats w/ straight stacks. They always made it the 1/4 mile, weather I did or not.)

 

You don't even need the cat really. depending on the motor, usually all you need is one bend in a pipe. On the straight 6 the exhaust manifold is restrictive enough, with one bend in the pipe you have all the back pressure you need. Not to say it wont sound terrible doing that. I'd ditch the cats and just run pipe to a decent muffler. My truck only had one cat anyways, the first compartment that looked like one was just a hollow collection chamber.

 

Less is more, depending or your local Smog Regs.

 

true, i keep forgetting about that. They don't have emissions in florida anymore, so I'm free to enlarge my carbon footprint.