i have a 2002 F150 Regular Cab Short Box with a 5.4L Triton. The muffler is shot, rusted out and full of holes. The pipe back from the cat to the muffler is fine, as is the pipe from the muffler to the end that comes out behind the passenger rear tire. I have zero ability to weld and I'm ok with a wrench.

Is it possible to replace the muffler without having to weld it in? I am an old US Army veteran, who has ringing in my ears constantly. I don't want loud, or desire any extra HP. What would a good replacement be for this application? I'm hoping I can find a muffler with a bit of a larger pipe that I can put in and clamp it to the existing pipe. Is this possible?

Thanks

 

Yes, you can use a Walker Mega Clamp instead of welding. A lot of newer cars come with the band clamps from the factory now.

 

I had a muffler shop put on a new "quiet as can be" muffler for $106 with tax. Your not finding parts for much cheaper. Just have the muffler shop do it, especially if you want quiet.

No big deal

 

I'm an old Army veteran also with ringing in the ears, bad eyes, a bad back and numerous of other medical issues. I still enjoy working on my truck and don't like a lot of road or engine noise. I went out and bought sound deadener tape ind installed in the doors and on the floor boards along with new door seals and it made a big difference where I can actually hear and understand the radio. Regarding the muffler, I haven't changed mine yet but have looked into it and found some great deals on quiet Walker mufflers at Rock Auto where you can buy the muffler and all the pipes for as low as $150. In the past I have changed just the Muffler but found that for the added work of separating the pipes and the low cost of replacing all the pipes from the pipe that comes out of the catalytic converters (about $50), I would rather just replace all the pipes. Especially if the exhaust pipe goes bad in about a year (this happened to me) and I was back under the vehicle doing the work and spending the money all over again. If you can get at the connections and apply heat to get them red hot, they separate without much effort.

 

Thanks for the tip! I went to the pick and pull got a decent muffler, and I bought two clamps at the parts store. I had to get an extra clamp for the hanger that was welded to the muffler, but I was up and running for under $30 bucks. The muffler shop wanted $142! I love this forum and all the help!

Thanks!

 

Great, and I hope everyone else around you enjoy the exhaust that is escaping your connections. Just because you cant see it, does mean it isn't there.

 

First time I heard someone putting on a junk yard muffler. Most of the time these rust from the inside out, so you cannot see how bad a muffler actually is until there is a hole. Brakes and exhaust are something I don't skimp on and I would be surprised if that used muffler lasts very long or the joints are sealing that well. Bet you will be back underneath doing exhaust work next year.

 

I live on a fixed income. I have lived in MN most of my life except when I was in Saudi, Korea, Germany, and Afghanistan. While I appreciate your knowledge, I don't have the money to put new parts in an eighteen year old daily driver. As white89gt said, "you can use a Walker Mega Clamp instead of welding. A lot of newer cars come with the band clamps from the factory." The muffler I cut off looked almost new. So, I can put in 4 of those for the cost of a new muffler. For me it's simple economics. It doesn't leak, and it sounds a lot better than the POS I replaced.

 

What's it like to be so smart mapleleaf1773? I suppose life is a lot easier for you. I used the clamps that white89gt suggested, and FYI they are used on many of the new cars coming out today. I don't have any leaks, and it's a heck of a lot better of a set up than what I had before. Thanks for editing your post. I certainly didn't deserve to be called the pejorative that you called me.

 

Don’t sweat it. It’s a darn exhaust pipe and whatnot. It’s not like you’re being called out for a 350 swap or dropping an engine with four dead cylinders in your truck.