FTotts,
I have a 2005 4x4 quad cab short bed automatic, with 150,000+ miles on it, and the exhaust system from the muffler back fell off, and the muffler was junk (lovely Michigan roads, and the salt they use to keep them "clear"). I drive the truck occasionally, but my wife is the primary driver of the truck, and drives it to and from work daily. Her request when I started shopping for an aftermarket exhaust system was she didn't want it "noisy like your black truck was". (Note: I had a 95 3500 with a straight pipe, that sounded like a semi. I loved it, she did not).
When I started to research what I wanted to do, I like you, was over whelmed with all the info out there, and how the opinions seemed to be all over the place with who liked what. Finally, in June, 2012, I put a 4" turbo back MBRP 409 stainless (wanted the 304, could not spring for the extra $$$$) single exhaust. Installation was very easy, and I was EXTREMELY impressed with the fit and finish of the kit, all the kit hooks fit right into the stock hangers, and everything went together very well. It took me about 4 hours to remove the old and bolt in the new with the truck on a hoist, and with my Dad's help. I did replace the u-bolt muffler clamps that came with the kit for some stainless Torca accu-seal clamps.
I ditched my catalytic converter, but I live in Michigan, a state with no inspection or emission check requirements. Over the past 6 weeks, I've felt no difference in power, and measured no difference in MPG (my wife manually clocks MPG every tank, god bless her). I did see my EGT's drop about 40 - 50 degrees, but that is probably due to elimination of the CAT, not the exhaust system.
Now to the all important subjective wife noise test. I installed the exhaust system on a Sunday, the first text I got on Monday morning was from my wife complaining about the noise, and that "she hated it". I personally like the sound, but when the truck shifts into overdrive at 45 - 50 MPH, there is an low pitch drone you can definitely hear in the truck. It goes away by 55MPH. Cruising at 55 or 60 MPH, or doing 70 - 80 on the highway, the new exhaust sounds no different than the stock exhaust. During acceleration it sounds really good, it is just the 45 - 50 MPH drone after it goes into OD. This drone last a little longer when I'm pulling a trailer. My wife has gotten to the point that she says she is used to it (which I will take), so the exhaust is staying.
Overall, I love my decision, and would recommend the kit to anyone. I also love the sound, and think it is perfect (my father had the same opinion as well). There is definitely a drone that was not there with the stock set up, but as I said, it's in a very small window, and tolerable... my wife may tell you otherwise, and based on that if you do not want it noisy, replace it with a Donaldson, or the stock stuff, because you will probably not see any performance gains with most anything you buy.
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
