I have an 2003 Explorer 4.0 and I am looking at replacing my muffler. Only problem is I don't know who to go with. I am looking for a mellow tone with minimal interior noise. I have been looking at Flowmaster, Magnaflow & Dynomax although I can't make a decision. I have heard how the 4.0 Ranger sound's on Magnaflows website(sound's OK) aside from all the horrible sound clips floating around that don't have good quality to listen too. I was looking at Flowmaster 50 series Delta Flow and there SUV muffler(a tad thicker than Delta series) but want some feedback on who/what to go with. Also, right before the tailpipe ends, next to the spare tire underneath, there looks to be what looks like a resonator if I am correct on the tailpipe. Can this be removed and replaced with new piping? Will it hurt performance or make the exhaust sound different? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

 

Well, I run a FB 50 series on my van which has a 4.0L and it sounds pretty good. It isn't too loud inside from the drivers seat, but if you are going to haul passengers, you might want to consider something quieter. Magnaflow does sound pretty good when they are new, but as I found out on my Mazda, they get louder with age. They also tend to drone around 1800 - 2000 rpm, which is highway cruising speed. That will drive you crazy fast, especially on a road trip. Dynomax is ok, but often a little loud, and they tend to be fairly expensive.

My suggestions would be to use a Flowmaster 70 series, or our 22" Wickedflow muffler. If you leave that resonator in place you can use a smaller muffler without getting too loud.

 

A flowmaster 70 series is a very big muffler,(may have fitment issues) I have one on my SD and its only a little louder than stock. I would look at a flowmaster 50SUV. The 50SUV has decent capacity, decent size anti drone chambers and will still let more sound through than stock but won't be overly loud. Loud exhaust on a 4.0l doesn't sound too great, I know from experience I put a FM40 on a 4.0l.

I don't believe our 03' has a resonator, maybe a heat shield. If it has a resonator I would remove it, its not needed. A resonator tones the sound down some and mellows it out some.

 

Just wanted to update. I went with the Flowmaster 50 series Delta Flow SUV muffler and it is very nice. It is very quiet almost stock like at idle. When you step on it at WOT it really lets out but not that loud or annoying. I am pleased with this muffler. Although tell you the truth, when I had a 2001 Blazer(Trailblazer Edition) with the 4.3L, I had a Magnaflow muffler on it and it sounds the same. So, should I have gone with a cheaper Magnaflow over this? Maybe, but I'll never know.

 

Keep in mind the tone of the muffler will change a little once get you some miles on it. A chambered muffler should sound better on a V6 than a straight through muffler.

I would be interested in hearing a sound clip.

 

Only cheaper packed mufflers should change. A flowmaster will stay about the same till it fails, and muffler with a good quality heat resistant packing will hold up well and will not change over time.

 

Unfortunately I'm too late, but this is what your 03 would sound like with a 14 inch Magnaflow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRgq-BEbT04

 

Wrong. The tone changes some on the flowmasters and I'm not the only one that noticed it either. I didn't think it would change either until I witnessed it for myself. Tone changed very slightly but the little extra drone is whats most noticable.

 

No prob. I went to the Magnaflow website where they have a Ranger 4.0 with takeoff, driveby and interior sound clips. They used to be video clips of it, but looks like they took them off.

 

Forgot to update on the increase of MPG. Before the muffler swap, I just had basic synthetic fluids throughout along with Taylor wires and plug change on the stock truck. The best MPG to the tank I had with it before this muffler was added was around 305-308 to the tank. After a couple of tank's filled I am getting 325-329 to the tank. Nice little bump for $100.