[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-Dec-02 AT 10:47 PM (EST)]On my '97 4.2 XL the exaust pipe sticks out in front of the back tire. I was wondering if it could be rerouted to come out behind the back tire. The reason for this is that it blows out black smoke that stains my back, right rim. I also wanted to know how in the heck you get the door panel off the replace the speakers?

Thanks for any help!!
GM

 

You can have a muffler shop extend your tubing behind the rear wheel. You should have no black smoke though and no stains on your wheel. I have the same setup (it was 97 only, in 98 and up they put it behind the wheel). I have no problems with smoking the wheel up and I like the looks much better than staring at the naked exhaust pipe in the back of the wheel. That is one ugly looking setup in my eyes.

Search the forum for a door panel thread. It has been up very recent. In a nutshell you have to remove the sail panel on top of the door (snap in) and the door pillar molding (snap in). Then you have to remove the small cover next to the inner door handle (snap in). That will expose scews to remove on the door panel and the door hande. After that the panel is only hung on the door and you can carefully take it off, making sure you unplug all the wiring from the arm rest control center.

Good Luck, George

 

Thanks that should help out a lot.

 

I replaced the exaust on my 97XL with single in dual out flowmaster, ran the pipes out behind the rear wheel and had chrome tips on the ends. Looks like the set up they came out with for the Harley Davidson Fords. I changed to behind the rear wheel because the center cap was discoloring from the exaust. I did this when I bought the truck 4 years ago.... still looks and sounds good.