I have to do something about the muffler on the truck I bought a couple weeks ago, it's far too quiet. It's a 95 Supercab 4x2 5.0 auto.

From inspection, it looks like it has the original exhaust and it's in pretty good shape. My objectives are to install something that will provide a bit of rumble, but not so much that I'll shake things off shelves as I pass by someone's house, get fellow hunters angry if I drive by to retrieve a deer, or wake the dead when passing a cemetery. I also don't feel the need to spend huge sums of $ on this, it's not my DD, not a show truck, and I outgrew the need to race others at stop lights a decade or so ago. I will use it for hunting, runs to Home Depot/Lowes, occasionally towing a 3500 pound boat, but not for long distances, and sometimes taking my redneck daughter to soccer practices.

After much reading, I've yet to encounter a compelling reason to remove the cats, so I plan to leave them intact. Since the muffler and pipe past it are welded together, I'd like to simplify the setup by removing everything from the cat back and then adding a new muffler and the necessary tubing and hangers to have it exit in front of the rear passenger tire.

The questions are:
1) Would it be worth going with a dual output muffler, or is this largely a style thing?

2) Same question with the muffler output size, is it worth having one with a larger output, or stick with the input diameter?

3) For the muffler, I see lots of recommendations for Magnaflow and Flowmaster, with Magnaflow getting the nod for slightly better performance, and Flowmaster perhaps a bit better for sound. I'm leaning toward Magnaflow, but have no idea how to choose among what seems like hundreds of models. Any suggestions?

4) I need is a straight piece between the cat and muffler. Then I need an angled piece from the back of the muffler to exit past the side of the bed. Is this something I could typically find at a parts store, or should I have a muffler shop fabricate something to the exact dimensions I need?

5) Any suggestions for how far back from the cat I should put the muffler?

Any other thoughts?

 

Just did this exact thing, bought straight section of pipe 2.25"x4' a flowmaster 40 series 2.25" in/out and just put a turndown on the end of the muffler infront of the rear axle. Sounds great and I don't think it's too loud. They do make much quieter models tho. I wanted to have it exit in front of the rear tire but decided against it because in order for the muffler to be tucked up where I wanted it in the frame I would have needed a custom made exit pipe (i do not have a welder) and i just wanted to get it done and back on the road. i do not believe you need dual out unless you want it and usually the outlet matches the inlet size on performance mufflers.

 

For questions 4+5, you can just buy the straight sections (got mine from jegs) the exit pipe you can make by buying the bends you need and welding it or just have an exhaust shop make one. As far as where you put the muffler the choice is yours, I put mine where it was easy to support with the hangars (should have a hangar before and after the muffler) hope some of this helps.

 

Thanks. Hadn't thought of just letting the exhaust end under the bed rather than having it come out the side. That certainly would simplify things. Are there any potential long term issues related to that? What about water vapor condensing on the underside of the bed leading to rust?

 

Your concern of the moisture in the exhaust causing rust is correct.

Having the exhaust dump under the truck will and does cause rust. Not to mention if you live where it gets cold at all its that much worse.

It's very easy to have it exit in front of the passenger tire and sounds much better in the cab of the truck to get the exhaust sound out from under the truck.

 

I suppose it could but for what its worth the system I hacked off was set up the same way and had been on there for two winters, I didnt notice any additional rust under the bed in that area. The snow / salt is what is rusting my truck but mostly the body panels. And yes I could have had it exit the side fairly easy with a 90 degree bend but like I said not with the muffler where I wanted it. I would have had to have the muffler hang down a bit and I didnt like the way that looked. Purely my preference. Also, I put a longer than normal turndown on it and have it angled slightly so the exhaust vapor mostly comes out the wheel well, it doesnt seem to collect under the bed any.

 

Thanks to both for the input. I'm OK with having the pipe exiting in front of the tire so I think I'll choose the safe route. I'll get under the truck to figure out the best muffler location and figure out pipe dimensions from there. Depending on what I find, I may end up having someone fabricate the right pipes for me.

 

Excellent idea! I have done quite a few exhausts on these trucks and I know what works and what doesn't.
It's not the bottom of the bed that the exhaust will speed the rust up on, it's things like brake lines,fuel lines/filter, brake bleeder screws, spare tire and its mounting hardware.
Things like that.

I think you'll find that a nice custom bent pipe exiting in the location you stated will be worth the minimal cost in the long run.

 

Spintech mufflers FTMFW!!!

 

Did some research on them. Sounds like they'll be a bit over the top!