Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I installed the BD 4 inch exhaust system tonight, purchased from DIS. Took about 4 hours and as normally happens, I can look back and say it shouldn't have taken that long.
Had fun breaking loose the two bolts between the turbo and the downpipe. Breakfree helped, but I still barked up my knuckles.
After tediously attempting to unbolt all the other clamps and hangers for awhile, I finally realized I wasn't going to be putting this old junk up for sale on Ebay, so out came the sawz-all! Now we're getting somewhere!
I hung the new system in from front to back, leaving bolts and clamps loose until it was all in place. Then I made final adjustments and tightened it all down.
In general the fit of the parts were good, but I have a concern about the clearance over the rear axle. It looks to me like the straight section in front of the muffler should have been a couple of inches longer. The section that goes over the axle seems to be a skosh too far toward the front of the truck. I expected the "peak" of the bend in this piece should have centered right over the axle for maximum clearance, but it doesn't. I'll be watching this the next time I load it up heavy to see if clearance is a problem.
Went for the long awaited test drive. At an idle it is scarcely louder than the stock system, but it sounds different, almost as if you can hear the air flow better.
At first signs of boost, things get better. Has a nice throaty tone to it and, coupled with the Moparguy airfilter, the silencer ring absence is beautiful! Some have posted that it gets to be too much, but I like it so far.
I'm also happy to report that I don't have the "drone" that some have posted about. I did not tack weld any of the joints either, but cruising at different speeds I was not able to produce any undesirable drones or resonances. I was initially skeptical when I saw the hangar system and wondered if it would slop around under there, but it is rock solid.
My truck is due for the 30,000 mile transmission fluid change. Can't wait to see the reaction at the dealership when Blackie rolls in with gauges, exhaust, and the big old bumper in place. Bet they go looking for the chip I haven't bought yet...
JimD
Had fun breaking loose the two bolts between the turbo and the downpipe. Breakfree helped, but I still barked up my knuckles.
After tediously attempting to unbolt all the other clamps and hangers for awhile, I finally realized I wasn't going to be putting this old junk up for sale on Ebay, so out came the sawz-all! Now we're getting somewhere!
I hung the new system in from front to back, leaving bolts and clamps loose until it was all in place. Then I made final adjustments and tightened it all down.
In general the fit of the parts were good, but I have a concern about the clearance over the rear axle. It looks to me like the straight section in front of the muffler should have been a couple of inches longer. The section that goes over the axle seems to be a skosh too far toward the front of the truck. I expected the "peak" of the bend in this piece should have centered right over the axle for maximum clearance, but it doesn't. I'll be watching this the next time I load it up heavy to see if clearance is a problem.
Went for the long awaited test drive. At an idle it is scarcely louder than the stock system, but it sounds different, almost as if you can hear the air flow better.
At first signs of boost, things get better. Has a nice throaty tone to it and, coupled with the Moparguy airfilter, the silencer ring absence is beautiful! Some have posted that it gets to be too much, but I like it so far.
I'm also happy to report that I don't have the "drone" that some have posted about. I did not tack weld any of the joints either, but cruising at different speeds I was not able to produce any undesirable drones or resonances. I was initially skeptical when I saw the hangar system and wondered if it would slop around under there, but it is rock solid.
My truck is due for the 30,000 mile transmission fluid change. Can't wait to see the reaction at the dealership when Blackie rolls in with gauges, exhaust, and the big old bumper in place. Bet they go looking for the chip I haven't bought yet...
JimD
