Muffler replacement

[jacob7071]

So my muffler has a crack in it and sounds pretty awful. This happened to my brother's car when we were teenagers, and I remember being jealous. Fast forward 15 years and I just want it quiet again.

So, for all of you who have replaced a muffler, how difficult is the job? I have some experience working on the truck. I've replaced front and rear shocks and springs, inner and outer tie rods, lower ball joints and both sway bars. Relative to those kind of jobs, how difficult is the muffler replacement?

I'm pretty sure I just need part #9 on this page
2002 Toyota 4Runner Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

It looks like I just need to unbolt the old one and attach the new. My tailpipe is fine. Is that all there is to it?

 

[MStudt]

So my muffler has a crack in it and sounds pretty awful. This happened to my brother's car when we were teenagers, and I remember being jealous. Fast forward 15 years and I just want it quiet again.

So, for all of you who have replaced a muffler, how difficult is the job? I have some experience working on the truck. I've replaced front and rear shocks and springs, inner and outer tie rods, lower ball joints and both sway bars. Relative to those kind of jobs, how difficult is the muffler replacement?

I'm pretty sure I just need part #9 on this page
2002 Toyota 4Runner Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping

It looks like I just need to unbolt the old one and attach the new. My tailpipe is fine. Is that all there is to it?

Just make sure to get the two flange gaskets as well. There's a gasket on each flange to help keep the exhaust from leaking out.

 

[pluton]

Mufflers should be a simple job. Spray loosener ahead of time to loosen bolts/nuts. If severely rusted that'll make a bit more of a pain. Besides the gaskets, check your rubber hangers and replace those if necessary while you're underneath.

 

[Nunyabiz]

Easiest job there is.
Buy your muffler, take it to a muffler shop and hand the guy $40 and in a few minutes its done.

But personally I would opt for a freer flowing muffler such as a Borla 40665 Turbo XL .

Amazon.com: Borla 40665 Turbo XL Center/Offset Universal Performance Muffler: Automotive

If you combine that muffler or one similar that has better than stock airflow with better Intake like an Airaid Kit and air filter you should get about 2mpg better gas mileage on the highway. Not to mention you can get a better muffler, better Intake, better MPG, better air filter and all for about the same price or less than just buying the stock muffler.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IARH86/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is only slightly louder than stock, very quiet at idle, but does have a nice little growl when you give it gas.

This is what it sounds like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmf0heg4-cU

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

I'm all for using OEM, but for the exhaust pieces I just don't see the value in it. You could replace the muffler, tailpipe, hangers, and flange gaskets for half of what that muffler section is alone ($346??) Just my $.02

 

[jacob7071]

I wasn't necessarily going to go with OEM. Just wanted to show the piece I need and ask how difficult it is to replace it.

Nunyabiz, that Borla exhaust does sound nice. Is that your truck in the video? Do you know if it's a direct bolt-on replacement? Or would it require welding a piece on the ends to attach to the tailpipe and the pipe coming out of the cat? Also, the picture on Amazon doesn't have a hook to go into the rubber hanger. Would that have to be welded on too?

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

 

[Nunyabiz]

I wasn't necessarily going to go with OEM. Just wanted to show the piece I need and ask how difficult it is to replace it.

Nunyabiz, that Borla exhaust does sound nice. Is that your truck in the video? Do you know if it's a direct bolt-on replacement? Or would it require welding a piece on the ends to attach to the tailpipe and the pipe coming out of the cat? Also, the picture on Amazon doesn't have a hook to go into the rubber hanger. Would that have to be welded on too?

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Yes my truck in video.
Also the sound at idle is really quite a bit less than what you hear in the video because the camera was like 24" from the tail pipe.
If you are standing like 10 feet away its very quiet, but it does livin up when you give it gas, has a nice throaty growl.
I have a remote start on mine, I can start it in my house before I go out.
I clearly hear it right as it starts as it gives it gas, but just at idle we can not hear it from the house.

Odds are every muffler will be a weld on to some degree because if that is 15 year old rusted bolts they probably aren't coming off anyway.

I cant remember if the hook came with it or if the muffler shop had it, either way it was a non issue, took literally 3 seconds.
I would buy the Borla from Amazon you should get it in 2 days at your doorstep for $95.
Then just go to a decent muffler shop near you, should cost less than $50.

So for less than $150 you got a better muffler than stock.

 

[jacob7071]

Yes my truck in video.
Also the sound at idle is really quite a bit less than what you hear in the video because the camera was like 24" from the tail pipe.
If you are standing like 10 feet away its very quiet, but it does livin up when you give it gas, has a nice throaty growl.
I have a remote start on mine, I can start it in my house before I go out.
I clearly hear it right as it starts as it gives it gas, but just at idle we can not hear it from the house.

Odds are every muffler will be a weld on to some degree because if that is 15 year old rusted bolts they probably aren't coming off anyway.

I cant remember if the hook came with it or if the muffler shop had it, either way it was a non issue, took literally 3 seconds.
I would buy the Borla from Amazon you should get it in 2 days at your doorstep for $95.
Then just go to a decent muffler shop near you, should cost less than $50.

So for less than $150 you got a better muffler than stock.

Alright, just ordered the Borla muffler and Airaid intake. Hopefully it's here by the end of the week so I can get it installed before I head out of town next Tuesday. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Nunyabiz]

Alright, just ordered the Borla muffler and Airaid intake. Hopefully it's here by the end of the week so I can get it installed before I head out of town next Tuesday. Thanks for the suggestion.

Cool, I am sure you will like them both.

You will have much better throttle response, should get about 2mpg better on "Highway" I seem to get pretty much zero difference in city driving for some reason.
But mine sure seems to run a bit smoother, just feels like it breathes better.

For like $75 less than what just the stock muffler would have cost you got a much better setup.