I want to replace my stock exhaust with a catback magnaflow single rear, but i went to order the system and it says they only have systems for the crew cab short box. Are the exhaust systems the same on the crew cab and club cab?

 

I believe that the frame length is the same on both versions with the longer cab difference taken up by a shorter bed, but this shouldn't affect the exhaust length. You could call the supplier and ask to be certain, most of them have a toll free number.

 

Ditto. Call to make sure.

 

Called magnaflow today and they told me the frames are longer on the club cab then the crew cab and that they only make an exhaust for the crew, not sure if thats right and the guy didn't seem very helpful. Etrailer shows an exhaust from magnaflow for both the crew and club cab and the part #'s are the same. I think the exhaust is the same for both, just the guy didn't know that.

 

Chapter 13 in the factory service manual contains the frame specifications and they have several configurations shown there, but the overall dimensions of all of them are essentially the same. You'll find some of the cross members slightly different - they need to be to accommodate the different positioning of the body mounts etc.

Whether the same exhaust system would fit all configurations would depend upon whether they made the bends in the pipes to work with model specific cross-members or whether the bends were made to avoid model specific cross-members. If the manufacturer rep said their product would only fit 1 type, I wouldn't buy it if my truck was different.

 

if the wheelbase is the same and frame dimensions are the same, the only possible differences on our trucks that would interfere with a catback are the hangers, as the tranny crossmember is the only one in that area and it is the same on both trucks. the rest of the exhaust hangs well below other crossmembers and bodymounts. the hangers are an easy fix because they can be rewelded for very cheap at a muffler shop.

Exhaust systems in general are a very dynamic item, it's quite easy for a muffler shop to make necessary changes to install.

I personally would get a model specific item, but if I had a club cab and didn't have the choice, I would take a chance hoping the changes would be minimal, which I'm sure they are, if any.

 

save yourself some money. buy the magnaflow muffler. cut off your resonators and stock muffler and have a muffler shop weld it back together with pieces of pipe and your new muffler. Or, do what I did, I got a single in/dual out kit off ebay for less than $200. INstalled it myself an had the muffler shop weld all the joints after the fact.

 

That's what I did with mine. Love it.

 

Mine is the same, cut the resonator(s) out, drop in a $80 magnaflow muffler, and add a nice tip for show.
Unless you're looking under the truck, you'd never notice that I took the cheaper way out. I love the sound and get compliments on it.

 

That was my intention, but had a little issue. To make a long story short, i took the muffler and resonator off when truck was new and installed a flowmaster dumped right behind the cab, that was 6 years ago and the exhaust is shot. I had the stock exhaust stored away in a barn on our farm which was raided last fall and whoever it was stole all the scrap metal including the exhaust sys. I had no other choice but to order this system.

Turns out the systems are the same for the dakotas, whether it be 3.6/4.7 or club cab/crew cab. Installed it tonight and sounds great! Thanks for all of the input and advice!