I have a 2001 dodge ram 1500 with a 5.2l magnum. I plan to change my muffler on my car but I wanted to first see if I can get the muffler off without having to cut anything. The problem is that for 2 weeks I will have to run it without a muffler because I am getting a custom setup ordered for it but its cheaper if I don't use an adapter and such. The thing is I don't feel comfortable running the car without a muffler because I have heard and read here that back-pressure drops greatly and the truck will run like crap. Also, would the heat from the pipe damage anything underneath?

 

Welcome to DF

Why not just leave things alone till the new parts get to you. I would think that yes you will be cutting when the time comes.

 

The truck will run better. You'll be fine.

 

Thank for all the replies. The only reason I wanted to take off the old one was so that I wouldn't have to by any adapters and all I would have to do would be to slide the new muffler and tailpiece in and be done with it.

 

also, will the truck be to loud during idle or will it just sound a little louder. I don't feel like getting a ticket for the truck sounding too loud when idling like I did for my 69 firebird with its 743hp 454 big block.

 

Just don't stomp on it and you'll be fine.

 

so then, removing the muffler will help the truck run better?
will the exhaust heat damage anything under the truck like the drive shaft?
How hard is it to get that muffler off - looks like it should just slide off right?

 

Well, 'easy' isn't exactly a word I would use here..... consider where the muffler hangs out, and all the crap that it has to deal with, not to mention how many years it has been hanging under there...... if it was clamped with the u-bolt style clamps, they tend to crimp the pipes, so, no, it won't just slide off.... not without some serious application of heat. (as in: Getting it glowing red.....)

Bit the bullet, and just cut it off. You will save yourself a lot of frustration that way...

 

And lots of luck not getting a ticket. I would just wait until parts arrive then cut it off and put the new exhaust on it.

 

If you still have the cat on there it'll quiet it down some. My truck is loud with true duals and glasspacks- just pay attention to what's around before you stomp it