Hey Guys,
I am just now getting around to looking at the options I have to customize my truck a little bit. Needing some tips because I suck at making decisions for myself because of the "fear" that I have that my decision will suck. I am wanting to get a little noise out of the exhaust, what would be my best option, not wanting to spend a ton of money for a full exhaust, I am wanting to do a hide pipe.

Also...

I am wanting to get a little bit of lift on the truck to clear some bigger tires. I was thinking the 2" level kit in front and the 1" blocks in the rear. Any other suggestions?

 

v6 or v8? ill try and answer both.

i have a delta 40 flowmaster on my v8, and new pipes from the cat back with all resonators cut out. i have a video somewhere on the general section. Depends on how much noise you want, i love that loud v8 to diesal-ish sound. Mines not terribly loud though, b/c there is a burn in process. I have my exhaust dumped after the exhaust facing down, keeps it nicely tucked away. No clue about v6's if yours is, i believe donkeypunch was the one who upgraded not too long ago.

as for lift, go ahead and do the front leveling, its what everyone does since its really the only thing before dumping $$. If your a street truck go blocks, but i would do leafs, someone on here got pro comp explorer leafs for like $35! ill see if i can find it, but thats around 2" rear i believe. All depends on if you want a leveled look or not.

 

I meant to specify on the engine, my bad on that. It is the v8, and I am looking for a nice sound that wont wake everyone up on my street at 3am. Also, if you could enlighten me on all the components, in order from engine to tailpipe, of the exhaust because I have never had so many parts on an exhaust.

As for the lift, I just use my truck for street, do not take it offroad that often and if I do, it is nothing to extreme. I like the level look, so I am trying to stay with that. I am going to try and clear a 275 70 R16, which is a little bigger than a 31 x 10.5

 

Scratch that tire size... I am wanting to put 265 75 R16.

 

265/75/16 will fit with minor trimming of front splash guards and wheel well liners, rear will require no trimming. A 2" or 1.5" leveling kit is all that's needed. No lift at all is needed in the back, maybe a 1" block with a 2" kit up front.

I replaced the resonators with straight pipes and installed a Magnaflow muffler, sounds great, not loud like some other brands. Loud is not always good.

 

TIP! when you go get your tires put on, BRING A SAW.... and a razor blade... and hammer. you will need to trim just to get out of the parking lot if you are like me.

 

I installed a 2.5" kit on the front and a 1.5" block in the back. I noticed at 8 months that the rear blocks had cracked. They were cast iron blocks but they didnt seat 100% on the axle. Anyway, I replaced the blocks with a $35 add-a-leaf ( ). It raised the rear enough to make it level or maybe a bit higher than level. Add-a-leafs will also help with squatting when towing, too.

I fit 265-70-18s on mine with a little rubbing. I just drove it home the way it was, sounded nasty when I turned but no damage was done. Once home, I trimmed the front mud guards with a dremel.

If you are going to have work done on the exhaust, replace the stock Y pipe. I didn't realize how restricted it was until I looked under the truck and saw it. I decided then that the next mod I do is to replace it.

 

i have an 08 2wd street truck. searched these forums for a long time and came up with the 2" conclusion on the front leveling kit (coil spacer). i used to have an 05 dakota and i did the 2.5 and the front was a little higher. especially with a dirtbike or atv in the back..these guys have tried it all. 2" seems to be perfectly level and "safe" compared to the 2.5" or other options. and from looking at pics on other trucks looks to be perfectly level. i just ordered mine and bought 255 75 17 mt's. ill post pics when i install it all.

 

i did what dakotaff did, i removed all the resonators, as well i have a straight pipe going from the cat to the muffler(behind axle) then dumping out after the axle.

 

I have a V6, and with even one resonator removed you can tell a difference in sound, But removing both and a new Muffler shouldnt be to loud, depending on what type of muffler you get.

For Leveling kit, I would suggest 1.5" or 2" When your at it check the Front Struts to see if they should be replaced. I installed a 1.5" kit, with new Monroe Reflex struts. The front came up between 2"-2.5" in total. I also have a Full Grille Guard installed.