I finally decided on an exhaust and have ordered it. The installation looks fairly simple with the right tools, which I should have. However, I don't have access to a lift or a torch or a welder. So, my main concern is removing the factory exhaust which has been on there since new in 2004. I don't see where anything should need to be welded but the install guide mentions possibly heating up the connection between the front pipe and muffler to make it easier to remove the muffler. How likely am I going to need to do this? Or, can it be persuaded apart by some other means?

I plan to presoak the hangers/grommets with WD-40 to make that part easier. So, it's really that one first connection that I'm worried about. I'm planning to just pull the truck into my garage and crawl under for this job. I should have enough room shouldn't I?

Any words of wisdom or encouragement?

Well, I can't help you much with this one, I always have mine welded, and have it done at a shop.

That's why I'm trying to find out how realistic it is to do this myself. I can arrange and pay a shop to do it if needed. But I'd hate to find out I could have done it myself. I guess I can always try and go from there.

Depends on what you're doing, if you're only doing a cat-back then you should be fine. I did mine in my parents shop with just a floor jack and a creeper. Now the exhaust I have sitting in boxes in my kitchen is a diff story. I thought it would just bolt on, come to find out the "direct-replacement" cat needs to be welded together, go figure. So now I'm hopeing to make it home this weeken as my mig welder is still in NY.

It's a simple install, you should be able to do it in your driveway without any issues. I did mine in the driveway and had no problems. As far as welding it goes, I would wait until you are 100% certain you are done modding your exhaust. I welded mine when I originally did it and now i am going to have to cut it off when I change it out this weekend.

It's a cat-back bolt on and comes with everything (supposedly) I need to install and even uses factory hangers, I think, because both pipes exit in the same spot as the factory exhaust and are bolted together. Welding is not even recommended but I wouldn't do it unless I had a problem with a leak or something coming apart. I did see an install video with a tip about putting the clamps on, tightening them, them flipping them 180 degrees and tightening them again to get a good clamp and hold. But, again, my main concern is not installing the new kit, it's getting the old one off.

PB Blast go to autozone and get a can of that and use that to saok with not wd40 anything that is rusted on with be so much easier to get off using PB Blast

good luck

If you have access to a small grinder or cut-off wheel, you can split the outer pipe and it usally comes off pretty easy. Unless you were planning on saving the old parts.

It should be no problem. I helped a buddy do his on an '03. Just make sure to presoak like you're gonna do and just in case keep a bfh near you if you need to give it a little tap.

The only problem I had getting the stock exhaust off was where the old joins the new after the cat. well they spot welded the clamps onto the stock pipes, I dont know why they do this, but it penetrated through the outter pipe and into the one it was slid over... Long story short, took about 30 mins and an air hammer with a blade attachement to get the old stuff off.. Keep that in mind..