i want to get a different muffler on my 98 ram. can this be done with having to weld it.

 

You mean "without" having to weld it? Yeah, you can just buy some exhaust clamps at autozone or where ever. They're like $3.00 a piece. you need 2.

Or you can use JB weld if you don't have access to a welder. Either will work just fine. I used clamps just for the convienience.

 

oops sorry.. yea without.. so the jb weld would work good then?

 

I was told it might crack.

 

I just replaced the entire exhaust pipe that ran between the cat and the tail pipes with 3" exhaust tubing I bought from NAPA. I bough 5ft for $19. I was going to clamp it in but an exhaust shop just charged me $15 to do that. Anyway I was told that these engines run better with a certain amount of back pressure so I ordered a Flowmaster Super 40 muffler with the 3" center in/out. I got under the truck and measured where the muffler was going to go, got a sawzal and cut out the section and clamped in the muffler. No leaks or problems. If you want a better "clamping" buy yourself some band clamps and crank them down until you see the outline of the joints where the muffler was inserted indent in the clamp.

 

I'd imagine. Just apply it generously... and I'll give you my reasons

1.) I had a cracked heat shield and it use to rattle like a mother ****er. The JB has held up just fine on it.

2.) I have actually know someone who jb welded a cracked head together (yeah, seriously. and no i didn't think it was a good idea) but to this day it's held up fine. and there's way more heat at the head then in the exhaust pipe.

 

By chance do you guys own Volkswagen Bay Window Busses? I'm talking the ones made from 1968 - 1979, because this is a real hack way to install an exhaust system and as such sounds like something a Bay Window owner would attempt.

 

NO! JB WELD WILL NOT WORK!! I tired it on my dakota and it lasted for about 20 miles and then it all cracked off.

Just use the $3 clamps from any auto parts store. As long as you aren't trying to join 2 pipes at an angle or on a curve, they will work perfectly. I've had no issues with doing this on my ram. Seriously, DON'T use JB weld. The stuff works great on most things but not on anything that is heated and cooled often (like exhaust pipes)

 

it probably has more to do with the exhaust vibrations and sound deflections etc. that make the jb weld crack. but i too recommend using exhaust clamps. they work perfect and you can remove them rather easily. and get a flowmaster muffler. i love the sound but the best part is they are insanely durable. you can take it off one car and put it on another lasts forever.

 

Just use clamps and be done with it. This is a topic that should last, no more than 5 minutes...