I was wondering if anyone had an idea of a good exhaust to make a ranger sound a little better but not loose power and MPG? Any suggestions?

 

Most people get Magnaflow or Flowmaster. I have a Flowmaster 40 series

 

You have quite a few exhaust options on the Ranger just like everything else....we've sold and installed Magnaflow, Gibson, Flowmaster, JBA, MBRP and Dynomax all on Rangers in the past and they all sell a shorty exhaust that turns down before the rear tire, a single rear exit and a dual split rear exit. Every one of them has their good features and ideal vehicles, but if you're looking for pure sound, then I would go with a single rear exit from either Magnaflow or MBRP, and on a small truck, I would stick with Magnaflow. Could just be an opinion, but those 2 brands sure do seem to have the most throaty sound with the least drone in the cab on everything we do. I don't think you're really going to lose any power or MPG with any of them, if anything you'll gain some of both, and all of them sell for around the same price, $225-$275 for the shorty, $375 to $450 for the single and around $600 for the duals, so price is a non-issue. You can't go wrong with any of those, but Magnaflow is usually the safe bet.

 

Just buy a muffler then have a shop do the pipes, cheaper that way

 

I bought a slightly used flowmaster 40 series for $50 installed at a local muffler shop no turndown or tailpipe. I clamp the tailpipe on for smog every 2 years, it's way too quiet to leave it on since theres like 4 cat's on the truck.

 

4 cylinders and V-6s are best seen and not heard, they sound lousy with loud exhaust.
I run Edlebrock headers on my 2.8 V-6, and went back to a nice quiet muffler after about 2 weeks...........the droning with a glass pack was unbearable on long hiway runs.

 

I agree on your point about things being noisey and I'm not looking for the sound, but I am looking for improved performance (mileage and power). I'm wondering if anyone has the 'before' and 'after' data showing the improved performance. If there is a reasonable compromise, meaning improved performance without unbearable droning, what would that be?

I guess I'm looking for it all but I do have a bit of time to gather the opinions and data from the FTE community before my system gives up. I wouldn't mind turning up the stereo a bit in order to gain miles per tank and power off the line. I just don't want the neighbors listening to my speakers...or my truck.

 

Not to brag but i got that best sounding ranger in my county. And all i did was take a chary bomb turbo and made it into a dual and added fatter piping, has a nice rubble with some thrash NOT TRASH. Its clean, but you have to do it right or it will sound trashy.

 

You didn't say what motor you have, but I've used the WickedFlow Max muffler with great results on 4.0L Aerostars with truly zero drone. Very mellow under light throttle, deep rumble at idle, quiet at cruising speeds, aggressive but smooth sounding on hard acceleration. Sounds much like a Borla, but less expensive.

 

Kahn,

I have the 2.5L 4cyl engine. In the reading I've done, most refer to enhancing the V6 engines, but there is some documentation of improving the flow on the fours. It seems that flow is the key to improved performance; power and mileage. The concern I have is taking the engine out of tune in an effort to improve it. The WickedFlow sounds like a good compromise and working well for your application. I'm sure you have your informal data on improved performance, but were you able to dyno your Ranger before and after? Lot's of posted claims of 2% this and 5% that on the internet for improved exhaust or cleaner/cooler intake. Lots of information on the basics: tire inflation, no junk in the trunk (bed), keeping the speed under 60 mph to improve MPGs. All reasonable in theory and substantiated by lots of informal testimony. I'm curious to see what our fellow Ranger owners have been able to substantiate formally, and informally.

In reading dozens of posts here, folks have been very creative in achieving various aims (like Dutter's Sound Machine). There are inherent design limitations with our engines, but there are lots of very smart people out there with creative genious to overcome obstacles. Aside from the few diesel Rangers out there, how many folks have been able to tweak their gas Rangers to out perform manufacturer's claims? Maybe none, but some have tried. It makes for interesting reading (at least for me).

Thanks for posting!

Kevin

PS - Dutter: are you getting improved performance with the Sound Machine?