2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dented muffler, or...

[Gary - K7GLD]

While on an RVing trip recently, I drove over a steeply crowned road access, and heard/felt a noticeable dragging noise as tho I had high-centered the truck. A careful inspection didn't reveal the slightest sign of contact, but I *did* notice a good-sized pushed in area on my muffler immediately adjacent to a frame crossmember mount - no trace of contact between the muffler and the road, or the muffler and the crossmember - and looking at the closeness of the muffler to that crossmember, I could see that it might be an INTENTIONAL depression in the muffler to provide needed clearance - anyone else have this depression on their muffler towards the rear, and next to the frame?

 

[JHerrlich]

Considering that my muffler was one of the first things to go on my truck, I do seem to remember that dent being there on my truck too. I was also wondering what it was for.

 

[Got Smoke?]

"Oh its dented I need to replace it... . well I don't the money for a 3" muffler just put this nice piece of straight pipe in instead" Oo.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Well, the confusion is, the "dent" doesn't LOOK like a factory job - tho' the placement is right where it needs to be for proper clearance next to the frame crossmember - it looks more like it was made by being slammed by a large, heavy rock or something similar...



I guess it's SUPPOSED to be there - but I ALSO notice I get a fairly annoying "buzz" from somewhere in that same vicinity of the exhaust system under heavy accelation while towing our 5er - wonder if providing that "clearance bump" in the muffler has contributed to internal loosness/vibration at some resonant RPM point...

 

[illflem]

I seem to recall both mine being dented as they were coming off.

Reminds me of the old adage,"If it doesn't fit make it. "

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

I guess it's SUPPOSED to be there - but I ALSO notice I get a fairly annoying "buzz" from somewhere in that same vicinity of the exhaust

Gary, just take the muffler off!

Straight pipe it! You won't regret it!Oo.

 

[jlccc]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

and looking at the closeness of the muffler to that crossmember, I could see that it might be an INTENTIONAL depression in the muffler to provide needed clearance - anyone else have this depression on their muffler towards the rear, and next to the frame?

It's intentional, they all have it. Don't ask me why DC doesn't install a muffler that fits. And while they are at it, it wouldn't hurt if it was a flow-thru design instead of chambered.

 

[1tuffram]

last week I yanked the OEM system off my 2002 with only 1500miles and yes the muffler has the indentation located about in the middle of the side next to the frame/crossmember. DC must have known folks would be removing the OEM pos muffler and packing it off to the dump or why else would they weld a "handle" to the top of the muffler

 

[Phil Stuart]

Mufflers & such

Yes, the indentation is done purposely at the factory so the muffler will clear the frame crossmember at that point.

I agree with 1tuffram about the nice handle that's welded to the top of it. Made it real easy for me to carry it up to the attic in the garage so it will collect dust for a long time. I did this the week I bought my truck



Phil

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I've seen this "remove the muffler" discussion before, over in the 1st generation section - and the consensus among the more honest fellas was, while the added exhaust racket is fun in short bursts, it CAN get annoying and sometime droning out on longer freeway driving - what are you guys experiencing with these later trucks?



As a kid in the 50's, loud dual exhausts and straight-piped Harleys were neat and attracted the desired attention when dragging 10th street in Modest Ca. on a saturday night - but maybe NOT what you would want on a relaxing trip to New York... ?

 

[Motorhead]

I told my Wife that that was the reason I needed to replace the whole system with a 4". It was "RESTRICTING" the exaust!!!

She saw right thru ME!! Chris

 

[Phil Stuart]

Muffler

Gary,

There is somewhat of a drone around 2000/2200,but not too objectionable to me. Everyone has different likes/dislikes about removing it. I left the resonator on and it does'nt seem too bad. Now when the engine is under a load it sounds good. Like when I'm pulling my 26' TT up I-64 in WV. Someday I will most likely go with a larger system,but for now it suits me fine. I kept the muffler anyway. Don't know why but I did. I installed the muffler elimination kit from Geno's garage.



Phil

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Phil, on the older 1st generation trucks, removing the muffler didn't provide anything but more noise - no performance increase - on yours, do you have any guages, especially EGT? I'd like to know if muffler removal on these newer trucks provides any more benefit that the older ones did - any comments appreciated...

 

[nickleinonen]

... but maybe NOT what you would want on a relaxing trip to New York... ?





:-laf:-laf:-laf:-laf



oh yeah baby. . i like NY, but i hate driving in nyc. . too many darn cabs. [toronto is bad with cabs, but nyc is way worse. . ]