When I look under my Ram I see a huge muffler between the axles, and a little one behind the rear axle. I was going to get a chrome tip welded on, so I am wondering if removing that little muffler (or is it a resonator?) would make a difference in sound and drone? How about back pressure and fuel economy, would that be affected?

 

It's a resonator, not restrictive at all but will effect the sound of the exhaust. I cut mine off (and everything after the cats) before my truck was a month old. Long before I took everything off from the cats forward and did my headers...

 

same here right after I got mine I put dumps at the muffler...

now looking to add the dual side kit before the tire

 

Does it get much louder with just the resonator removed? Does it drone? I'm looking for a better exhaust tone but nothing too loud.

 

It is there to make the exh more quiet so when you remove it, it will get louder and resonate but how much all depends on the owner and is opinionated.