First I hate headers, because they are mainly a high rpm performance part that works in a rpm range I do not use.

Now my Y-pipe cracked and a new one was stupid expensive. I could have gotten a cheap chineese made Y-pipe oem style for $150.

Instead I purchased a cheap chineese set of stainless steel headers. Not shorties, but mid length for $250.

I fully intended to open box look at the shoddy workmanship and send them back. Well I was kinda supprised. Really thick flanges, very good tig welds, and mandrel bent tubes. All in all they LOOKED good.

So I figured I would do a loose install just to see how bad everthing mated up. Well after 8 hrs of disassembly and a loose fitting I was again supprised, as they fit togather very good. Minor tweeting buy unscrewing 1 side and tighting the other was needed.

ISSUES:
All bolts are about 1/4" too short, but do work. In 2 locations I had to use a c clamp to bridge gaps so short bolts could be used.

The 2 bolts supplied to hook y pipe to OEM exhaust were too big and did not fit the holes. I had to use my own bolts there.

My rating:

Mid length headers, stainless steel, 16 gauge, $250

Very good deal
8 out of 10
That's because flange bolts are only 1 inch long. I had to spend $90 for the grade 8 header bolts so they will not back out.

PS
Anyone who says they can torque all 20 header bolts is probably fibbing.

 

What headers did you buy?

 

Like these
https://www.protuninglab.com/hds-f25...xoCS-EQAvD_BwE

careful they have long tube headers too, but I did not like O2 sensor location on those.

I got mine on ebay though.

 

I'd like to do a set of headers just wonder about how bad it would be to get the old manifolds out and the new headers in

 

All depends on what condition your manifold studs are in. If they are rusted or broken off it will get very time consuming really quick.

 

The truck spent it's life in the southwest and southeast so far rust free has been my findings on everything I have touched

 

If you have several broken studs, I think it's easier to pull motor to fix than do it in excursion.

Or you could pull body off frame and do the repair.