I tried running a search on here for "Explorer Specific" exhaust issues - like Flowmaster/Magnaflo/Gibson, etc. systems. Found a BUNCH of YouTube vids with guys revving them up and all that good stuff, but of course, no tech data.

The stock system on mine is starting to show its age and wear from rust and all, so I'm considering replacing the stock with something along those lines. I'm thinking only cat-back as they do emissions stuff here in PA so the cat has to stay and stay functional. I'm considering how I want to go out the back - I mentioned in a thread in the "Exhaust" forum that duals out the back are kinda "standard" and I'd consider side exits just to be different. But then there's the issue of whether or not I could even do dual exits...

Has anyone put one of these on, and are there any specific things I should be thinking about as I shop for and round up parts and pieces and all that?

 

The Explorers are complicated on the tailpipes, they have a few fairly tight bends and have to go just so. So stick with a reputable brand, or have a shop custom build what you need. Frankly, I recommend the latter, because all to often people get a kit, and they are stuck with stuff they don't like. We just did exhaust tips on a 'Vette that had a kit that have really crappy looking tips on it. The customer wanted something that looked like it went with his car. We've gotten requests for new mufflers because the mufflers that came with kits were either too loud or ratty sounding. And so sometimes you can look at the complete kits, and you are stuck with buying stuff that comes in the kit that might not be to your tastes. But the kits do typically come with mandrel bent pipe.

When you get it custom built, you may not get the pipe, but you can use a combination of mufflers and tips that you are happy with.

As far as how to go out the back, obviously the easiest is to come out like stock with a single tip on one side. You can run a dual exit out the back, but that is more complicated to do. It is a little louder that way, and obviously looks cooler. Exiting out the side seems weird to me on an Explorer. Plus it adds an extra bend which is not good for sound or performance.

 

Thanks for the input, Bear.

I was just pricing Flowmaster mufflers, and to be so honest, the difference in price is not that much compared to putting a stock muffler back on it. I have a good pipe bend guy available to me, so I might be well off to get the muffler and have someone custom bend the piping.

Given I'm only working from the cat back, after looking under it this morning as to where things are, a side exit's just not going to work due to space issues (not to mention a dumb piece of fiberglass that runs down the side of the body being in the way too), and dual exits will just be a royal pain and not worth the expense in the long haul. I'll stick to single exit in the general location of stock and come up with a way to dress it up how I think it'll look good.

 

I think I'd stick with Magnaflow. When I gave my Ranger to my son in high school he put a Flowmaster on it with a local shop. It rusted out in less than 2 years. The internal baffles came loose first and it started rattling. At WOT it made this really annoying "BLAT" kind of sound. When I replaced it with the stainless Magnaflow, the sound was really tuned and had a nice throaty tone. Internal cab noise went down too. When he traded it for the Explorer 5 years later the system was still in great shape. I got the pipe parts and muffler here. Full Line Exhaust If you find the shop is too expensive, call these guys and they can help if you don't see something for your ride. My Ranger was not listed but they got me what I needed. The only problem I had was with 1 bend that I had to modify with a hammer. Hope this helps

 

Thanks for the link, fordguy. Looks like a good place to do business with.