I am driving the most common truck around, a 1993 6cyl 5-spd F150 XL:Standard Cab, long bed, maroone, A/C, dual tanks, AM/FM, cloth bench seat. It runs good but I want to make it into a cool ride. Hell, it only has 160K miles so it's gonna be here for a while. Oh yeah, I'm broke so it has to be done on a shoestring budget. My wish list is as follows:

Good sounding dual exhaust
Chrome rims
Hood scoop (for looks)
side skirts
Paint job
bucket seats (I got a good pair in the right color out of a late model Ford Van for $35 but not sure how to mount them)
Better sound system (CD? ok I'll settle for a cassette)
Custom interior accents
Dark tinted windows

Any suggestions? Doaners?

I am gonna get a website to put the progress of this project on. I'll keep you all informed.

BTW I think that $250 is waaaay toooo much to pay for a flowmaster catback setup. What do you guys think a Cherry Bomb glasspack with a Y-pipe exiting to the rear will sound like?

 

My flowmaster setup cost me $110 and sets off car alarms, but I didn't want a visible exhaust system or duals...its all in what you want

1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)

 

First of all remember you have an inline 6 and not a V8 like kevint's truck. I myself have a 94 F150 with the inline 6 and I have modified it rather well. Inline6s and V8s don't sound the same. A straight 6, like ours, sounds like a really beefy and throaty 4 cylinder. I know in words that doesn't sound to cool but in reality it sounds really good! If you want a good exhaust sound from a 6er, purchase a set of dual outlet headers from Clifford Performance. They will cost about $280 but they are worth it. They will keep the 6er cool and allow it to exhale easier (more horsepower). Take your time and save for them they're worth it! You will need a Y-pipe to combine the dual outlet headers into a single pipe. As for the muffler, get a Flowmaster 30 series single entry/dual exit and run 3" pipe to the muffler and 2-2" pipes from the muffler on out. This will allow you to have the dual exhaust without the cost of a dual exhaust! Also true dual exhausts have a tendency of not evaporating all of the moisture from the inside of the pipes (due to lower operating temp). This in turn will promote rust and sooner rather than later, your exhaust will rust out. Remember to replace the two stock catalytic converters with a single 3"in/out high flow catalytic converter. This will keep your exhaust clean without robbing horsepower and its good to breath clean air!!!!!!!
All of this takes money, there is no way of getting around it. The parts alone this setup I described to you will cost approximately $500 for parts ($280 for C.P.headers, $110 for HF catalytic converter, $70 for Flowmaster 30 series muffler and $30 for the Y-pipe). If you install the headers yourself, the installation for the other parts will cost about $150 to $200. If you have someone install the headers expect to pay nearly $400 just to have them installed.

I don't want to discourage you from doing this! I have done this already and I want to give you fair warning of what to expect. Once you have done this you will appreciate the performance your truck will give you. It's worth it, it just takes time and money! GOOD LUCK!

 

Thanks for the info guys,

Paul
I wish I could put $1000 towards the exhaust system. However that's half my budget. Are you saying that with a Cat Back system the sound would be disappointing? I am a cruiser and speed isn't that important to me. I am relatively content with my I6's performance.

Kevin
Got enough sound?

 

lol, yah I get a headache at freeway speeds, dash resonates...I haven't really heard it fom outside the truck as the only person I'd trust to drive it is my immediate family and my girlfriend, but she's scared of driving I've only heard it outside once at a carwash and it was pretty impressive sounding, like a early 90's mustang with a flowmaster setup, which it basically is.

1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)

 

If you just want to cruise, then throw my idea out the window when your driving. I know, the way I did it was really expensive and if you just want to cruise than go with a the Flowmasters's 30 series dual outlet muffler. The problem I've heard is the 2 cats you have on your truck now act like plugs to this engine's exhaust. So if you do ever decide to take on the project I listed above, it will definitely improve its performance. Looking through hindsight, follow kevin's example and you should do ok!! See ya later guys!