Another simple enhancement that don't cost a bunch of money is straight pipe the exhaust. Beware in some states it is illegal to be without a muffler. Now in some states a turbo is considered a muffling device. Some people think it just to loud. I will admit that without the muffler in place is it louder. I've been told that my truck can be heard up to a mile away. Now besides the noise and legal stuff. The bonus to straight piping the exhaust is that the engine can breathe easier. It will reduce the pyrometer temperature, increase horsepower and torque, and increase your fuel milage. Basically all you need to do is measure how long the full muffler assembly is and get a piece of 3" exhaust pipe and maybe a new set of clamps. Once you got the pipe have them expand the ends so they will fit over the existing pipe. So now when you do this you going to have to fight a little to get the old muffler and resonator off. I used a torch to heat the clamp spots up to get the muffler assemble off. Then slide in your new pipe and clamp it down. I've welded in some re-bar hanger to mount back in the rubber hanger on the frame to help hold the pipe up. http://mopar.mopar1973man.com/personal/2002/muffler-delete/muffler-delete.htm

Hey Russ,I've seen those on the bay. About 4-5 hundred bucks. Do you have it installed? Sound cool? Did it make any difference in performance, MPG? :thumbsup Dave

I bought a complete system... 2 grades of stainless. I bought the cheaper... not nearly that expensive. Turbo to tailpipe. I bought it because the stock tailpipe rotted out & took the rear muffler flange with it. I'll be d*mned if I'd put a plain steel system back on. Russ

I agree with Russ... My straight pipe is rotting away in a rapid way... So if it rots away I'll be looking for a full 4" exhaust system next... :rolleyes

Sort of hoping my stock system would rot away for the same reason. LOL

Well mine was the OEM system that rotted out. First the tailpipe devoluped holes, then the back of the muffler failed so the tailpipe & muffler flange were not connected. I removed the disconnected tailpipe as it was thrashing the underside of the truck... fearing if it jammed against the pavement, it could really tear things up. Russ

Hey flagman,Did the upgrade make a difference in performance or MPG? I bet it sounds cool! You prolly didn't even need to raise the truck to do the install. ;) DaveUsin' that backhoe this summer?

I didn't notice any mileage difference between before & after... running with back of stock muffler rotted open... maybe I got used to the noise. Remember, no mods to my truck! A lot of soot under the truck. Helpful to lift body (clearance for loop over rear axle) but wheels sure don't need to come off ground. Backhoe is just sitting in my way... hasn't been started in some time. My MS doesn't like the heat... I need to get a buddy over so we can jump start it. Russ

Hey Russ,Now that's it's cooling down, did you get that backhoe going? How's the truck running w/ the 4 incher? :D Dave

I have a 5" pipe and muffler on my 2000 CTD and that baby growls. B) ..I don't think I would be able to stand it with the muffler off!! On a side note I think my neighbors dog likes to hide in the pipe it's so big LOL LOL Randy

Years ago, my buddy used to run straight pipes on his '57 Chevy 327. He got it inspected a few times by shoving 5# of steel wool up each pipe with a broom handle. It was nice & quiet, they never looked underneath. Of course, the first time he stood on it the steel wool came out the back in a ball of fire... Best not go back by that garage!Russ

OMG! LOL There is a way to keep them quiet... >

For any of you who hate the dreaded "drone" which comes along with removing the muffler and resonator, I think I've found a solution. Or at least a way to tolerate it after the fun wears off.I took a piece of steel (a T-post I found in the barn) and hose clamped it to the same section of exhaust which had the muffler/resonator. The T-post worked great because of its shape, allowing it to lay firmly on the exhaust pipe. With three big hose clamps I snugged it down tight to the exhaust pipe. The difference was noticeable right off the bat. Much less drone in the cab. The reasoning is the with out the muffler/resonator in place the exhaust pipe vibrates like a guitar string which give off a "drone" or resonating. By placing the added metal on the exhaust pipe, it removes most of that vibration. Works.

I remember you saying something about that in a past post over on CF.com...

Fascinating. Makes good sense though.

Sorry guys, I forgot about this thread,The e-bay SS system had taken more work to install than I'd hoped. The section of pipe off the turbo was fine. The straight sections took some mount tweeking & trimming to get them to come out right. The over the axle section needed the mounts heated & tweeked to get it off the spare & off the spring. Still what counts is that it's done & it isn't going to rust out any time soon.It's definately louder than the stock system even sans tailpipe & hole in the back of the muffler where the tailpipe nipple went. It sounds good running empty but has a bark when under any load, even running empty. I have not run it with the trailer on yet but I'm sure it'll be loud. {This is not a quiet truck anyway... a lot of engine noise from the front. Removing the mouse habitat (hood insulation) could not have helped. My built 454 with headers, straight through glass packs & etc sounded good also but would drive you out of the cab with a trailer on! I ended up putting oversized truck mufflers back on that one. Russ

I just noticed I haven't edited my signature with the upgrade of oversize SS exhaust... other than that, truck remains pure stock. As such, the overhead computer has always given right on mpg readings compared to hand calculated. The mpg sweet spot has proved to be 1900 rpm on this 4:10 geared truck. At 65 it's turning 2100 & mpgs drop off. The best mpgs I've gotten were 18.4-18.6 range. I cleared the overhead (previous ave 17.5) & been driving around yesterday & today. Admittedly a small sample of secondary roads & around town... mpg is swinging between 19.0-20.1 Yes, I was "Granny Driving" to get mpgs but that's how I usually drive unless there's a reason. The weather is cool and the rich warm up always hurts mpgs some... with the small sample, I can see the average fall off driving gently as CTD warms up. Once warmed up I can see the average climbing back up to a nicer neighborhood.This is the first time I thought to check it but I'm pretty confident that I actually am 1 mpg or better improved. Ya know how many times we see claims "improves mileage" but never see it. I think this one did. WOW!Russ

Great... Nice to know a bit of exhaust work gave you a small gain but it worth it... :D

We here in Cali will be missing out on the good stuff, can we say C.A.R.B.

We here in Cali will be missing out on the good stuff, can we say C.A.R.B.

There is ways around this problem... Sneaker series mufflers. Basically a straight pipe in a normal muffler can. I'm sure there is other toyz out there for the california crowd...

I have A CAT also