Thought I'd share my experience with other newbees on installing my new exhaust system.
2001, 7.3, 142 in WB.

The first hurdle I had to jump was getting the pipe hangers out of the rubber hangers.
After about 1 minute with a screw driver trying to pry them out I broke out the sawsall.
Cut the little mushroom heads off and procede.

After loosening the band clamp at the turbo and giving it a sharp whack with a hammer from below the head pipe was loose but didn't want come down.
Back to the sawsall but beware of the trans lines.
You'll also need to cut the old pipe just ahead of the rear axle.

The instructions say to attach the down pipe to the turbo.
That's great for two people.
Since it was just me I loosely attached the mid pipe to the down pipe and hung it in the hanger.
The weight of the mid pipe 'levered' the down pipe into position so I could attach the band clamp. Problem solved.

Next the instructions say that the system uses an extension pipe which fits
a 172" WB. Leave it out for a 137" WB.
My WB is 142" and it all fit nicely without adding any extension pipe.

There is a Hanger clamp at the front of the muffler.
It (mine) does not line up with rubber hanger off the frame.
Fortunately Ford, in their infinite wisdom, punched two holes about eight inches forward so you can reposition the rubber hager where it will work.

Took me right at two hours without beer or pesky 'helpers' to distract me.

Anyone with the least little bit of talent can do this.
Like the instruction say - assemble loosely and start at the turbo aligning and snugging as you go back.
After everything is aligned and snugged go back to the top and lock it all down again working your way back.

 

Thanks for the good info. Glad it all worked out well for you.

 

Man, this sounds familiar. Sawzall's are a must for the removal process. I had a stubborn hanger as well and had to cut off the mushroom head. I do recommend the extra hands for the downpipe but zipties, a block of wood and some fast hands got mine on in about 10 minutes by myself. You will want to go back after a week or so and tighten up the clamps and downpipe as well once things get settled in.

You'll love the new exhaust. Good job.

 

Yes sawzall's are a must. A little WD-40 on the hangers will help them slide out of the rubber hangers.

 

Congrats on the exhaust and good job with the newbie tips. What Chris(post3) said above, its inportant to go back and check everything. Mine started to hit the trans cross member bolt after settling in. Loosened the up-pipe turbo clamp and adjoining pipe clamp and muscled the pipe away from the bolt and wala.