Aluminum stack box

[doppx006]

Would it be ok to make a aluminum box 6"X6" to span the width of my box for my stacks to sit unto? Or is there to much heat I know aluminums melting point is 1220* F

 

[Scrappy]

It shouldn't get hot enough to melt aluminum. But it is going to be very expensive to get a piece of aluminum that big and finding someone to weld it is also going to be expensive. Is it just to be different, or for lightness?

 

[nickleinonen]

the aluminum would hold up just fine there, but would be expensive... steel is much cheaper and more durable in that application. if you want to get aluminum and make it less expensive, you could manufacture the box section out of 2 "L" pieces of sheet aluminum that have been braked to shape and welded...

 

[doppx006]

To be truthful I really like aluminum with not ever having to worry about it rusting, I know it dulls but that does not bother me. Weight is not an issue at all. The other thing I thought of was like nicks idea but I thought I could get a piece 2' X 5. 5' X 1/8" Aluminum diamond plate or flat aluminum sheeting and have it bent in to a square box and then only have to weld one seam instead of two, and then naturally cap the ends and mount ports and mounting brackets. I can not weld aluminum so naturally cost is kind of an issue but I don't want to skimp on something like this I rather do it right and not have to worry.

 

[Blakers]

Aluminum may corrode through from acids in the exhaust gasses. I don't know for sure, but I would not count on it holding up better than steel. If you make it out of good steel, it will last a long long time.



I have thought of using the box idea too. What about making it narrower - forward and back - instead of 6", and making your stacks either rectangular or oval near the base. The idea of this is it would take up less space in your box.



Blake

 

[nickleinonen]

Aluminum may corrode through from acids in the exhaust gasses.

i doubt so. it may after many years, but so will regular aluminumized steel exhaust pipe [more so rusting from outside in] once the soot coats the inside, it isn't really going to corrode from inside.



4. 5" id square tube would flow more than a 5" exhaust pipe... so 6" x 6" is over kill in size. might look too tall. . a 4" tall x 6" wide box would flow enough and not be as tall, or turn that on side to have 4" deep and 6 tall with flared ends to fit a 5" stack to save bed space as suggested by blakers. .

 

[doppx006]

After measuring on my truck I noticed unless I cut into the frame cross member in the front of the bed I am going to have to cut the whole further rearward then i originally planned, it looks like if I cut a 5" hole in my bed the back part of the hole will sit flush with the back of the first stake pocket which happens to be 8" inches from the front of the inside of the bed measuring on the side rail because I know our boxes are not straight across. So now I am thinking of using 6"X 8" box or even 4" X 8" so then I don't have to cut into the cross member and then I can still have my stacks up to the front of the box, although this takes up a couple more inches I think it will place the stacks in the right spot and then no worries about structural integrity.

 

[doppx006]

here is an attachment of my plans

 

[doppx006]

What should a person do for drains on these? a small hole in the piping below or always put caps on the pipes or what is the best method?

 

[Blakers]

I didn't look at mine, but was wondering if there's room for the exhaust box under the bed, instead of on top? Might take a body lift to do it? Just thinking you may get around that cross member problem.

 

[Scrappy]

putting the box underneath just means you have 2 places that the crossmember is in the way. I cut the crossmember in the middle in mine and I don't think I lost too much strength. I only cut 2/3 of the crossmember to make it look right.

 

[Digger]

Running an aluminum box without any issues.