B
bonedoctor
Guest
And it couldn't have been easier! The old system came off with a single screwdriver. The new system fit perfectly and was fastened with two bolts that you could finger-tighten. Took 5 minutes total to do.........NOT!
Actually, it was a little more involved. I'd bought the TRD dual-outlet, cat-back system months ago from a place in NH. They were running some sort of special for $250 (pick-up only) and I typed in the comment box to ship to my address in Colorado. The ad said it was for 2003-2005 4Runners. Well, this huge box showed up and I got the system for $250 total. When I opened the box and read the instructions, it mentioned only 2003-2004, said nothing about fitting 2005 and nothing about fitting models with XREAS. Having read the numerous posts about different systems, what they'll fit, what mods are needed, losing vs. keeping the spare, it was clear that there were no clear answers if the thing would fit (I've got a 2005 Ltd with XREAS). I suspected it wouldn't, so it sat in the box for several months. Even thought about just putting it up for sale and buying a system that I knew for sure would fit.
I finished my training in Colorado and returned to Missouri. We've had some nice Fall days, so thought I'd install that exhaust system. Got the 4Runner up on some ramps in the rear. Took the exhaust loose from the front (easy), then tried to get the main section loose from the piece that goes up and over the axle to the outlet. For what ever reason, the factory had welded the nuts on the bolts and it was impossible to get loose. Couldn't get a hacksaw on them, the nut-splitter was in my tool chest in storage, couldn't even get them off with the air hammer and chisel. Ended up passing the point of no return by taking my cutting torch and cutting the pipe after it exited the large muffler. No going back now! Got the old system off and went to work putting the new on in its place.
First hint this wasn't going to be easy....the front section seemed about three inches too long because some of the hangers didn't quite line up. Some did, some kinda did, one didn't at all. Got that section in place and went to put the passenger side y-pipe in place. Kinda lined up, but seemed about three inches from mating well with the flange of the front section. Eyeball-fit the driver side and it looked like it would clear the spare. Got to the point where I realized I couldn't make any more progress, so called a custom muffler place that installs Magnaflows, etc. Took it to the shop, put it on the lift and told the guy that it looked like it would fit if about 3 inches were cut from the front section between the little resonator and the large muffler.
He cut the system, took out a little section, and rewelded. Also repositioned the front hanger to work with the factory mount. Mounted the Y-section over the axle (the passenger side outlet matched the factory hanger well). It cleared the spare well and the driver's side outlet did, too, with just a little tweaking. But the hanger on the driver's side didn't match with the extra mounting piece that came with the system, so he repositioned the hanger on the pipe to work. He kept the vehicle overnight and I picked it up this AM. The dual outlets look nice and he did a great job with the little tweaks and changes to get it to fit. I'll take pics later, but will take a little while to get them developed (yeah, I still shoot film. If you come over, I'll show you my new 8-track player, too!).
The guy charged $150 for the installation. Seems money well spent. Still got my spare, doesn't hang down, all the hangers are positioned correctly. It was done by a guy named Gene at Seeburg mufflers in Springfield, MO. I'm super picky about some things and he did a very nice, clean installation.
It definitely changed the sound of the vehicle. At idle, you can't hear anything, but the low growl picks up early. A little drone at about 30 mph. Haven't really had it out on the highway yet. I'm sure the sound will change as it goes through some heating/cool down cycles.
Overall, very pleased. The guys thought it looked like a Borla system (I've heard they make the TRD systems). So, with the killer deal on the $250 system + $150 for the custom install = $400 for a nice system. Took a little longer than expected and a few detours.
Actually, it was a little more involved. I'd bought the TRD dual-outlet, cat-back system months ago from a place in NH. They were running some sort of special for $250 (pick-up only) and I typed in the comment box to ship to my address in Colorado. The ad said it was for 2003-2005 4Runners. Well, this huge box showed up and I got the system for $250 total. When I opened the box and read the instructions, it mentioned only 2003-2004, said nothing about fitting 2005 and nothing about fitting models with XREAS. Having read the numerous posts about different systems, what they'll fit, what mods are needed, losing vs. keeping the spare, it was clear that there were no clear answers if the thing would fit (I've got a 2005 Ltd with XREAS). I suspected it wouldn't, so it sat in the box for several months. Even thought about just putting it up for sale and buying a system that I knew for sure would fit.
I finished my training in Colorado and returned to Missouri. We've had some nice Fall days, so thought I'd install that exhaust system. Got the 4Runner up on some ramps in the rear. Took the exhaust loose from the front (easy), then tried to get the main section loose from the piece that goes up and over the axle to the outlet. For what ever reason, the factory had welded the nuts on the bolts and it was impossible to get loose. Couldn't get a hacksaw on them, the nut-splitter was in my tool chest in storage, couldn't even get them off with the air hammer and chisel. Ended up passing the point of no return by taking my cutting torch and cutting the pipe after it exited the large muffler. No going back now! Got the old system off and went to work putting the new on in its place.
First hint this wasn't going to be easy....the front section seemed about three inches too long because some of the hangers didn't quite line up. Some did, some kinda did, one didn't at all. Got that section in place and went to put the passenger side y-pipe in place. Kinda lined up, but seemed about three inches from mating well with the flange of the front section. Eyeball-fit the driver side and it looked like it would clear the spare. Got to the point where I realized I couldn't make any more progress, so called a custom muffler place that installs Magnaflows, etc. Took it to the shop, put it on the lift and told the guy that it looked like it would fit if about 3 inches were cut from the front section between the little resonator and the large muffler.
He cut the system, took out a little section, and rewelded. Also repositioned the front hanger to work with the factory mount. Mounted the Y-section over the axle (the passenger side outlet matched the factory hanger well). It cleared the spare well and the driver's side outlet did, too, with just a little tweaking. But the hanger on the driver's side didn't match with the extra mounting piece that came with the system, so he repositioned the hanger on the pipe to work. He kept the vehicle overnight and I picked it up this AM. The dual outlets look nice and he did a great job with the little tweaks and changes to get it to fit. I'll take pics later, but will take a little while to get them developed (yeah, I still shoot film. If you come over, I'll show you my new 8-track player, too!).
The guy charged $150 for the installation. Seems money well spent. Still got my spare, doesn't hang down, all the hangers are positioned correctly. It was done by a guy named Gene at Seeburg mufflers in Springfield, MO. I'm super picky about some things and he did a very nice, clean installation.
It definitely changed the sound of the vehicle. At idle, you can't hear anything, but the low growl picks up early. A little drone at about 30 mph. Haven't really had it out on the highway yet. I'm sure the sound will change as it goes through some heating/cool down cycles.
Overall, very pleased. The guys thought it looked like a Borla system (I've heard they make the TRD systems). So, with the killer deal on the $250 system + $150 for the custom install = $400 for a nice system. Took a little longer than expected and a few detours.
