HD shocks and DUAL mufflers

[ssm5114]

Hey guys, my shocks are shot, and my whole exhaust system is rotting out so I thought I would upgrade. I usually haul a lot of stuff in the back of the explorer so my shocks go bad quick, what is the cheapest, but GOOD heavy duty shocks I can put on it? Also I am thinking about putting a dual exhaust in, coming out in both sides of the back, is there a way to do that without affecting my hitch or the spare tire? please let me know thanks!

 

[zerodevil]

with struts you usualy get what you paid for, i got a full set of KYB's off of ebay for fairly cheep, they are amazing. the dual exhaust could easily be done by a good exhaust shope, my guy wanted 600 bucks for the job though...

 

[ssm5114]

yeah i was thinking kyb's just wanted to hear someone elses opinion on it.....i think thats a go....and wow that a little more than what i was thinking..... thanks

 

[Limited02]

Not sure on shocks, but with the exhaust, it depends on what your shop charges. In Zerodevils case, I assume there isn't very many shops around so they can get by with charging higher prices. Another member(JarvisB) just got his exhaust done pretty much how you'd like to do yours. Here is his thread- http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272948

 

[zerodevil]

that is very true, there are only TWO reputable exhaust and rim&tire shops in my city. i should mention i was getting 2 new flowmater mufflers, 2 JBA high flowing cats, and custom routing done... so... not TO high for what i wanted done.

 

[CALDWELL]

KYB is a safe bet for a good shock, but just curious do you have a v6 or v8 ?

 

[ssm5114]

Not sure on shocks, but with the exhaust, it depends on what your shop charges. In Zerodevils case, I assume there isn't very many shops around so they can get by with charging higher prices. Another member(JarvisB) just got his exhaust done pretty much how you'd like to do yours. Here is his thread- http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272948

thank you that thread showed me a lot!

 

[ssm5114]

and ok in that case it might be cheaper for me....i do live in central pa tho, so im not sure if there are any good shops around here.....and yeah i have the 4.0 v6

 

[CALDWELL]

considering you have a v6 i would advise not doing dual exhaust...

you will lose ALOT of low end TQ...

I had 2.5'' custom cat back exhuast, and i lose a little bit of low end on my 03, but it pulled like a **** in the higher rpm's

im getting ready to do my 05 soon, and im going to use the factory size pipe ( 2.25'' ), but im going to remove the massive resonator, install my magnaflow muffler, and see how that works out first.

 

[ssm5114]

oh........well THAT i did not know.....but i guess it does make sense....thank you for stopping me! and yeah i might have to stick with something like what your doing then....

 

[CALDWELL]

i think when i remove the resonator, and install my magnaflow, that i will lose a little bit of low end... but not enough to really notice i hope, and still gain a little bit of get up n go + mpg...

i will report my findings when i get the install complete

 

[ssm5114]

ok thanks......hopefully its not too bad....i think i MIGHT go with flowmaster 60 series.....id prefer 70, but they dont have it in the correct diameter. i THINK 2.5"? but yeah i think what i might do is cut it right before my cat. put an aftermarket cat in. advanced auto has this magnaflow universal cat for like $70, then redo the pipes all the way down...sounds good? or no?

 

[CALDWELL]

negative...

if your going to just remove the resonator, and install the muffler...

its **** NOT **** in your best intrest to mess with the cats, the only reason you would ever need to switch the cats out for highflow's is if you went forced induction I.E - turbo or superchager. your X isnt making insane power to really validate the modification...

also the factory pipe diameter is 2.25'', so any muffler with that size inlet/outlet will work fine. if you bought a 2.5'' inlet/outlet muffler then a exhaust shop shouldnt have a problem rolling the pipe ends to fit. i boguht 2.5'' inlet/outlet with the intent of going 2.5'' pipe, but want to see how by just removing the resoantor and installing my magnaflow increases exhaust flow to obtain better MPG, and power, and retain a little more lowend tq.

this is just my opinion... dont buy a 60 series muffler, unless you want your X to sound like a nissan 350Z... the 60 series is designed for tuner 4 and 6 cyl small displacement engines... sick with 40,50, or 70...

 

[ssm5114]

well the thing is i think my cat is clogged....i have all these miles and its never been changed so i was basically just redoing everything...BUT i also dont want to dish out all that $$ for a ford cat....the dealership near me wants $200 for one whereas advanced has their universal one for $70....

oh well maybe its 2.25" either way according to the book advanced had they didnt have the 70 series in my size......

i might stick with a 50 then....40 seems too loud for me....all i want is a little more of the deep rumble but only outside...like i WANT to hear it inside....but i dont want it to piss me off....just loud enough for me to hear inside...

 

[CALDWELL]

also you may want to consider magnaflow... straight thru exhaust flow, and usually a little quieter than flowmasters. thats what i bought, and i got it off amazon.com for 79$...

if you need to replace the cats then yes by all means replace them....

not great sound, but here's a magnaflow on a v6. not sure what size though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRgq-BEbT04

here's an 08 v6 as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1iQLIqqaX0

 

[ssm5114]

hmm i actually really liked those! they sound amazing! i gotta go get them priced and etc. thank you!

 

[CALDWELL]

no prob fella...

also a nice feature about magnaflow, is that the exhaust flows straight through, and the muffler is reverseable, unlike flowmaster. which makes install much easier because you have some wiggle room for install to flip or rotate the muffler for a correct fit. so when you go to order a magnaflow muffler make sure you order...

2.25'' or 2.5'' etc. center inlet / offset outlet

 

[ssm5114]

sweet thanks.....and will do....probably next week tho..have a LONG trip to canada for the weekend and unfortunately we cant take the ex....im stuck driving the toyota sienna with the family

 

[Limited02]

well the thing is i think my cat is clogged....i have all these miles and its never been changed so i was basically just redoing everything...BUT i also dont want to dish out all that $$ for a ford cat....the dealership near me wants $200 for one whereas advanced has their universal one for $70....

oh well maybe its 2.25" either way according to the book advanced had they didnt have the 70 series in my size......

i might stick with a 50 then....40 seems too loud for me....all i want is a little more of the deep rumble but only outside...like i WANT to hear it inside....but i dont want it to piss me off....just loud enough for me to hear inside...[/QUOTE]

That would be the 70 series I can't say how loud the 50 is and if it would annoy you, but the 70 sounds perfect for me. Loud enough to hear, but quiet enough to talk.

 

[ssm5114]

thats what i was thinking too...but apparently they didnt have it in my size.....ill try another place next week....but yeah i also like the way the magnaflows sound...so i havent completely decided yet...