Tips for replacing muffler

[drallan]

Muffler and tail pipe have rotted away. I went ahead and got the SS Walker muffler and tail pipe assembly with anticipation of tackling it this weekend. Plan is to just cut out old stuff with sawzall and bolt up new.

Is it really that straight forward? Anything else I should look out for or purchase? I've got a few extra exhaust bolts and pipe flanges/gaskets just in case.

Do any of the hangers or strapping need to be replaced?

Is it better to asseemble tail and muffler first and try to hang as 1 unit, or bolt up muffler first then tail?

Any need to jack up or remove wheels?

FWIW according to the sticker on in the engine bay I have the CA spec'd exhaust so I got that version.

 

[Malcolm99]

If it's OE fit you should be good to go assuming everything else is original OEM on your specific truck, if it's not a good fit you'll have to take that up with supplier, the rubber isolators typically last a long time OEM, but anything aftermarket always needs a bit of tweaking for the hangers. I would mount the muffler using a muffler clamp and then attach the tail pipe to muffler flange and gasket separately on the vehicle. For removal you will have to do the same in separate pieces, remove tail pipe, cut muffler clamp slip OEM muffler off pipe section you'll be reusing. I just cut one side of all the nuts or clamp with a grinder disk, chisel them off or cut the entire bolt and nut with a grinder and zip cut blade and tap out the old hardware, little nicer than using a sawzall and won't shake the crap outta the rest of the exhaust system as we have no flex pipe those vibs from a sawzall will go all the way to the manifolds. And I would use Permatex Hi temp Copper sealant on the flange and if your concerned about the pipe fitment slap some on there it will only make assembly easier after its all cleaned up.

Edited for more detail*

Maybe someone that has this set up will chime in or show us pics and let us know how it looks and sounds under normal use, as I know my 21 year old muffler has to give up the ghost at some point but every aftermarket muffler sounds different than OEM. Show us pics of how it looks for reference later for others.

 

[Kanoe]

I put the walker SS on mine about 14 months ago. Not a premium product.

Sound on my 3rz is a tad louder than stock, bit raspy when reving which is nice. Bit louder on the highway but just a little, not annoying.

Fit is not as nice as oem. Bit close to the body over the axle but no points touching so ok. Couldn’t get it perfect no matter what I tried. I found the walker gaskets crap. Throw them away and use oem or likely do it twice.

In 14 months, 20,000 km it is not holding up well. Most of this mileage was Utah, az, New Mexico so almost no winter use. It’s pretty much rusted all over the body, obviously not good stainless steel. Pipes are not great either. I’d guess maybe 3-4 years for me, maybe less in winter conditions.

Walker says lifetime warranty so we’ll see. Save receipts.

Best tip would be to keep your pipes from the old muffler section. When/if the walker fails you can get a better quality muffler welded up to put in. That’s my plan for next time.

Edit: I didn’t jack up or remove wheels. Put it in in two pieces as things will need to be tweaked once in there. All my hangers were ok and no new ones were needed. I took my old one out with a Zip disk in an angle grinder. Wasn’t a bad job.

 

[brillo_76]

My walker exhaust muffler section lasted 4 years. My tailpipe 5 years. W PA winters just chewed it up. I replaced with ebay [ china ] northeastern exhaust a year ago. The stainless seems to be holding quite well.

1996 thru 2000 are available. Get the muffler version not the resonator muffler if you decide to go the north eastern exhaust route. Not sure if the 2001 and 2002 are available or different as I never changed my exhaust on my 01.


I suspect the walkers would last a lot longer in different climates.

The only thing I would mention as I had both exhaust. Is to keep your hanger at your back cat flange. OEM As my walker was bumping the last crossmember because it was too close to it and the aftermarket think this hanger isnt needed anymore. I totally disagree with them on that one.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk