Single to Dual exhaust conversion complete!
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 228
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From: Ft Sill,Ok
Bumper is very simple to remove. I only used 4 tools for the whole project.
I went in the following order:
> Detached the 2 license plate bulbs by twisting as you would to replace the bulb and left them hanging out of the way. Also had to do the same for the hitch power connection, its held in by a clip system.
> Next I undid the 4 large bolts that connected directly behind the bumper. Behind the license plate you will find the other 2 bolts holding the bumper on. You'll need a 9/16" socket to do that. Then cafefully pulled it off the truck.
> With the bumper off, I took the license light fixtures off. They are held by a metal bracket that holds together by matching groves and is supported by the bumper frame. Just pull it towards you and the fixture pops right out. The hitch power adapter is simple to remove. From behind just pinch the clips together and push it out.
> The pain, and probably most time consuming part came next. The removal of the plastic meshcut style cover. Had to bust out the needle-nose pliers here and gently squeeze and pull it away from the bumper 1 by 1 til everything was free. Once thats off you can remove the supports that hold the shape of the bumper. Then you can rebuild your bumper back to spec.
Exhaust was simple to install, came in 5 pipe fragments and a muffler w/ clamp on tips. Started this by loosening all the clamps and removing the mufflex 18dods that i had previously installed. Same process for the stock stuff too though. To do duals our option is pretty much the sid style (single into dual). Its a 3" match to stock, the piping going to the rear turns into 2 1/2" x2 for the pipes. Resonator is removed, so it cleans up the undercarriage of the truck as well. If you wan true duals, then you get into a cost vs worth to you kind of situation.
> First thing i did was identified where the pipes need to be in order to mount this exhaust system on the truck. I have the early dodge model ram, so I think i get lucky and already have hangars on both sides of the rear of the truck, but the kit comes with the extra hangar if you don't have this.
> Next i put the muffler on, and tightened the clamp LOOSELY so that it wouldn't move much on me when it was time to finalize my positioning. Then placed the rest of the piping into place, simple simple! Make sure to put your clamps on before sliding each piece into place otherwise u will be pissed! Like I did with the muffler I LOOSELY tightened all my clamps.
> Finally I proceeded to align everything. I got frustrated and ended up getting the wife outside to tell me which way I needed to move the pipes to center everything. I started off 2" below the cutouts, only to realize that this looked rather...odd. Just an FYI, you will sit under a flat stock bumper w/ this kit easily. Not sure how well it would work though. I just kept pushing the pipes around and eventually ended up getting the pipes to just under 1" below the peak of the cut outs. Then i slid the exhaust tips on. When you tighten these clamps make sure they are up towards the undercarriage of the truck, otherwise everyone will see them that rides behind you. I think i ended up using my sway-bar upright supports and ended up putting the back of the tips 17 3/4" from the bar to the end of the pipe.
Tools needed:
9/16" socket > Socket Wrench
Needle nose pliers
Flashlight
Measuring tape
Optional equipment: Upset wife, yelling at you saying, "Stop moving it! You had it centered, now its not anymore!"
Costs:
Bumper: 390$ shipped
Exhaust kit: 600$ shipped
Magnaflow 16870 kit. (16869 kit will work as well. I just thought the 5" tips would be gawdy)
I went in the following order:
> Detached the 2 license plate bulbs by twisting as you would to replace the bulb and left them hanging out of the way. Also had to do the same for the hitch power connection, its held in by a clip system.
> Next I undid the 4 large bolts that connected directly behind the bumper. Behind the license plate you will find the other 2 bolts holding the bumper on. You'll need a 9/16" socket to do that. Then cafefully pulled it off the truck.
> With the bumper off, I took the license light fixtures off. They are held by a metal bracket that holds together by matching groves and is supported by the bumper frame. Just pull it towards you and the fixture pops right out. The hitch power adapter is simple to remove. From behind just pinch the clips together and push it out.
> The pain, and probably most time consuming part came next. The removal of the plastic meshcut style cover. Had to bust out the needle-nose pliers here and gently squeeze and pull it away from the bumper 1 by 1 til everything was free. Once thats off you can remove the supports that hold the shape of the bumper. Then you can rebuild your bumper back to spec.
Exhaust was simple to install, came in 5 pipe fragments and a muffler w/ clamp on tips. Started this by loosening all the clamps and removing the mufflex 18dods that i had previously installed. Same process for the stock stuff too though. To do duals our option is pretty much the sid style (single into dual). Its a 3" match to stock, the piping going to the rear turns into 2 1/2" x2 for the pipes. Resonator is removed, so it cleans up the undercarriage of the truck as well. If you wan true duals, then you get into a cost vs worth to you kind of situation.
> First thing i did was identified where the pipes need to be in order to mount this exhaust system on the truck. I have the early dodge model ram, so I think i get lucky and already have hangars on both sides of the rear of the truck, but the kit comes with the extra hangar if you don't have this.
> Next i put the muffler on, and tightened the clamp LOOSELY so that it wouldn't move much on me when it was time to finalize my positioning. Then placed the rest of the piping into place, simple simple! Make sure to put your clamps on before sliding each piece into place otherwise u will be pissed! Like I did with the muffler I LOOSELY tightened all my clamps.
> Finally I proceeded to align everything. I got frustrated and ended up getting the wife outside to tell me which way I needed to move the pipes to center everything. I started off 2" below the cutouts, only to realize that this looked rather...odd. Just an FYI, you will sit under a flat stock bumper w/ this kit easily. Not sure how well it would work though. I just kept pushing the pipes around and eventually ended up getting the pipes to just under 1" below the peak of the cut outs. Then i slid the exhaust tips on. When you tighten these clamps make sure they are up towards the undercarriage of the truck, otherwise everyone will see them that rides behind you. I think i ended up using my sway-bar upright supports and ended up putting the back of the tips 17 3/4" from the bar to the end of the pipe.
Tools needed:
9/16" socket > Socket Wrench
Needle nose pliers
Flashlight
Measuring tape
Optional equipment: Upset wife, yelling at you saying, "Stop moving it! You had it centered, now its not anymore!"
Costs:
Bumper: 390$ shipped
Exhaust kit: 600$ shipped
Magnaflow 16870 kit. (16869 kit will work as well. I just thought the 5" tips would be gawdy)
Thread Starter
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Professional
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Glad to help, if you have any questions when you go to buy/install the stuff let me know. Just figure if you do it yourself, you are saving about 160$. Where I live anyways... $80 hr to do something you can do at the comfort of your home.
Professional
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 228
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From: Ft Sill,Ok
Thanks man, probably won't be till after Xmas,just bought a torneau cover,set me back $500 plus..................Kevin.
Thread Starter
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Professional
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 197
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From: Northern Virginia
Magnaflow muffler config. mounted.
transitions over the rear axel
passenger side exit pipe
driver side exit pipe
And the + ... ! No Resonator YAY!
Last edited by sneeks; Nov 7, 2009 at 10:04 PM.
Professional
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 228
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From: Ft Sill,Ok
Hey Sneeks where did you get your exhaust, every place I see, its $666ish plus shipping, bought the dual exhaust bumper off of Ebay this morning and need to get the exhaust...............Kevin.
Thread Starter
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Professional
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 197
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From: Northern Virginia
autoanything.com they get the exhaust straight from magnaflow and ship it to you. If you look they are always running promotions. I bought mine when they were offering 10% off first time users to their website. They mention that you enter - welcome - in the cart and u will get the 10% off and free shipping.
Professional
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 228
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From: Ft Sill,Ok
Sneeks I have one last question, I promise.The exhaust you used is for a 09 without factory duals.My question is this, the only difference between the 870 and the 869 is the 869 hass 5" tips right.The reason why I'm ask is I'm about to purchase this exhaust from autoanything.com and I want the 3 1/2" tips like you have, just want to make sure there's no real difference except the tip diameter.Thanks man.
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Professional
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 197
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From: Northern Virginia
The tips are welded on on the 870. It will really come down to the fact, do you like the big opening on the back, or do u want something that looks more stock. They essentially are the same thing though. The 870 is supposedly for the Laramie, so i dont know if the hangers are a little shorter. To my studies though, i found them to be the same aside from a.) 5" diam vs 3 1/2" b.) welded tips 870 clamped tips 869
There will be a drawback to the installation of the 870 if you go that way, nothing major, but you will have to go to the dealer and order a rubber insulator for the hangar for the driver side. The 869 comes with it. I believe i priced that piece out a 10-12$ when i looked.
There will be a drawback to the installation of the 870 if you go that way, nothing major, but you will have to go to the dealer and order a rubber insulator for the hangar for the driver side. The 869 comes with it. I believe i priced that piece out a 10-12$ when i looked.
Professional
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Ft Sill,Ok
Hey whats up Sneeks? Thanks for the prompt reply, yea I want a stock look to the exhaust,I'll get the 870 and get the rubber hanger from the dealer for a nominal cost as well.Just thinking of 5" tips would look too big on a gasoline vehicle, my coworker has 4" tips on his deasel and that looks too big.Thanks again man.