So of course everyone knows that with these 4Runners they rust a lot.that is why I've come to the decision that I am going to replace the exhaust manifolds on this since it is horrible sounding. I have about a 4 mm diameter hole on the bank 3 part of the exhaust. worst part was is when I was trying to clean the bolts to be able to even attempt to get them loose they just broke off just by my thumbnail.

My question to everyone is should I go about this process:

cut the manifolds off I'll have to replace the y-pipe anyways because of the fact that it's rusted through and I might as well just go all the way to the back if I'm going to go with new manifolds will go with an entirely new exhaust.

Take the heads off it's got $130,000 mi on it and the compression is not too great I can probably replace the head gaskets and improve it and at the same time resurface the heads and also get the exhaust resurfaced on the head itself. This way the new manifold's going to fit very flush to it. I will be replacing the stock bolts even though they'll all be tornado cuz most likely I'm going to have to tap and die all of them out and that is why I suggested pulling the head off anyways.

This way I get new head gaskets I might as well go ahead and do the timing chain and also replace the entire exhaust system with the amount of knowledge I have it's not a hard job to do it's just very time consuming.

I do have the finance to be able to do this project into the tune of around almost $3,000 I do have a garage with a floor lift and everything as well so I am probably going to move forward with it but I wanted thoughts.

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Since you haven't offered any info on the year or which engine you have, I can only assume it's the V6 since you mentioned a timing chain instead of a timing belt, the year I can't assuming anything, but the year would be a deciding factor on if I would do the head gaskets??

Also you mentioned RUST being the culprit in the exhaust failing, if the rust is so bad that it's making your exhaust manifolds fall apart....I myself would be more worried about the condition of the frame which you haven't
mentioned, if the frame is in anywhere near the condition as the exhaust manifolds I would be looking to get rid of the vehicle before the frame gets any worst, in which case I would do as little as possible to try and fix the exhaust!!