Colorado - Mufflers used for towing?

[RRees]

For those of you who live in the Mountain areas of Colorado, what mufflers do you prefer? Stock or otherwise.



The reason I am asking is because I will taking my CTD, towing a Jeep on a trailer and I want better MPG without excessive noise when going up the inclines. I've been out there before, but that was with a Dodge V10.



Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Probably heading out there in the latter half of June 07.



Note: I'll be adding an exhaust brake before then also.



Thanks.

 

[telliott]

guess i can't really help you, i prefer straight pipe, and the noise doesn't bother me, but to each his own.

 

[jwdeeming]

If you don't want more noise, I would just skip it. I doubt you'll see enough change in towing mpg from a muffler swap to be worth the cost of something different.



You will definitely be glad for the exhaust brake. I see you have an auto - what's your plan for a torque converter lockup?

 

[Edgemann55]

Get a MBRP muffler. Sounds stock going down the road,no drone,nice rumble when you get into it. Much less restrictive over the stock muffler. Been happy with mine for over 30,000 miles so far.

 

[mberry]

For those of you who live in the Mountain areas of Colorado, what mufflers do you prefer? Stock or otherwise.



The reason I am asking is because I will taking my CTD, towing a Jeep on a trailer and I want better MPG without excessive noise when going up the inclines. I've been out there before, but that was with a Dodge V10.



Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Probably heading out there in the latter half of June 07.



Note: I'll be adding an exhaust brake before then also.



Thanks.

You shouldn't have to change anything if you're comparing it to the mileage of that V-10! Otherwise, the only way I have seen consistently improved mileage is with a box or sensor that changes the timing on the engine. The mufflr might help, but probably won't do much, if anything, by itself.

 

[RRees]

Thanks everybody. Probably won't change anything.



Mberry,

I've only had my truck for about 5 months. I've only towed/trailered my Jeep twice with my new truck and it received about 12-13mpg here in Iowa (only a 60 mile one way with a few hills). I remember back in 2002 when I trailered my Jeep out to Colorado with my V10, I only received between 7. 5 - 9. 0 mpg. I actually was watching the overhead MPG calculator and over around Gunnison it was showing 4. 5mpg (climbing a grade), of course I was racing a Ford V10 and I had to beat him up the grade.



jwdeeming:

My truck has the tow/haul feature - would that suffice?

 

[staarma]

With the 06 you will not need a lockup device for the tq convertor. The 06's were changed a little with a brake in mind. The 05 is a different story. Dad's 06 48RE works great with the factory Jacobs. It brakes every bit as hard as my Pac on my NV5600.



That being said, Dad's 06 48RE will unlock under 22 MPH and then the brake is obviously no good anymore without lock. I'm not sure if a device would help you at that MPH though or not. My guess would be no.



Muffler wise, if you don't like noise then just keep the stocker. I agree with the above posts as well in MPG. I don't think you'll see any.

 

[Xtremewheeling]

Made the trip to California from Penna. in Sept. with 2 jeeps on a 34 foot gooseneck Averaged 11. 5 miles per gallon. Did the Rubicon trail then to Moab for 3 days Then to Empire Colorado for 3 days of wheeling before heading back to Penna.

Exhaust brake was a life saver when grossing around 22,000 lb.

3500,Five speed, edge comp, stock exhaust

 

[keimmmo]

I run a gutted stock muffler on both my trucks. They have a slightly different tone than stock, but really not any louder. I saw less turbo lag with the gutted muffler on both trucks and slightly improved fuel economy. This is virtually a free modification if you are handy with a torch.



Steve Keim

 

[SilverSage]

Call Brian at BDM 303 922-5280. He put a straight-through 4" muffler with a swirl pattern that makes gases flow faster on my 05, fair price and good work. Brian seems honest and is fair. It sounds awsome, not really louder but more defined and no drone. EGTs cool down much faster now, down to 400 in 15-20 seconds rather 45+ seconds.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

get a 51" big truck muffler... it'll flow great, cost you about $60-70 and be nice and quiet...



then, if you really want a nice highway cruiser, take the money you save buying a less expensive muffler that works better and install some sound deadener in the cab... makes a HUGE difference!



if you leave the catalytic converter installed and run the 51" muffler, it'll be nice and quiet and you'll pick up some mileage

 

[mberry]

Forrest,



Will you please PM me with more details? Thank you.

 

[Mark Craig]

RRees,



On a 2004. 5+ truck get the MBRP MK96116 and leave the cat alone and you'll probably not notice the change but your EGT's will drop. Plus it's got welded hangers that reuse the stock rubber mounts, no riggin it up like a plain ole muffler etc. It's also made of 409 stainless to match your stock pipe material, if you use aluminized electroloysis will set up pretty fast and cause the aluminized one the rust out. Tons of members have it and love'em.



Mark @ DPPI

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I've got a 304 downpipe... somehow, the rest of my exhaust hasn't fallen off yet



MBRP is quality stuff for sure, but you'll be fine w/ a big truck muffler IMO

 

[RRees]

Thanks everybody. Got me thinking about mufflers again. I experimented with a bunch of mufflers with my 99 V10. Don't want to experiment again - get it right the first time. Lower EGT's is a good thing.



I finally got my trio of gauges installed, thanks to a lot of help from a friend/fellow Jeep club member. I'm glad he went Diesel instead of Hemi.



I installed Pryo, Trans Temp and Turbo Boost in a Dashpod. Being left-handed wasn't helpful when trying to work on wiring under the dash.



Anyway back on subject: The MBRP sounds like it might work for me. Easy, lowers EGTs and maybe an increase of MPG without significant noise increase. I still have a few months to change my mind.



Thanks everybody.

 

[steved]

Anyone have a link to that 51" muff??



I'm getting to old (!!!!) for the noise of a straight pipe.



steved