Moab prep and questions

[Alec]

Well, Splat's getting ready for Moab and all the mods are coming along nicely. Here's what I had planned to do before Moab:

Upgraded headlight bulbs: to be ordered in a few days
Addition of rear tow hooks: done
Traction device in the rear diff: ordered
skid plates: half ordered

I was going to get a Powertrax no-slip locker, but instead ordered an Eaton Posi from West Coast Differentials. It should get here by the end of the week and go in in the next few weeks. I chose the Eaton for a lower price and easier drivability. Whatever problems these units may have had have been fixed and the guy I talked to had one on one of his trucks and loves it. I was afraid the installation of a traction device would spell an end to my autocrossing, but the Eaton will be very drivable around corners.

I've ordered Ford skid plates for the gas tank and to go under the headers to protect them. The only thing left to protect is my Magnaflow muffler.

SO HERE IS MY Q: don't ask me why, but I still have my stock muffler laying around. Could I take it apart and use the bottom half of it as a skid plate for my hi-po muffler? It wouldn't cost me anything and I really think it would work. I could have it welded to the exhaust hangers. What do y'all think?

Thanks!

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by Alec
Well, Splat's getting ready for Moab and all the mods are coming along nicely. Here's what I had planned to do before Moab:

Upgraded headlight bulbs: to be ordered in a few days
Addition of rear tow hooks: done
Traction device in the rear diff: ordered
skid plates: half ordered

I was going to get a Powertrax no-slip locker, but instead ordered an Eaton Posi from West Coast Differentials. It should get here by the end of the week and go in in the next few weeks. I chose the Eaton for a lower price and easier drivability. Whatever problems these units may have had have been fixed and the guy I talked to had one on one of his trucks and loves it. I was afraid the installation of a traction device would spell an end to my autocrossing, but the Eaton will be very drivable around corners.

I've ordered Ford skid plates for the gas tank and to go under the headers to protect them. The only thing left to protect is my Magnaflow muffler.

SO HERE IS MY Q: don't ask me why, but I still have my stock muffler laying around. Could I take it apart and use the bottom half of it as a skid plate for my hi-po muffler? It wouldn't cost me anything and I really think it would work. I could have it welded to the exhaust hangers. What do y'all think?

Thanks!

I think you have done some great things to your truck.

However, I do have a question: how does someone in college get the time and money to do all these things?
I wanna know your secret....

 

[Alec]

Lots and lots of hard work. First of all, I worked my @$$ off during high school to get over 50 hours of AP credit towards my college degree. When I got here to UT, I took 5 semesters in a row of really hard, upper level classes. Now that all the hard stuff is out of the way, this semester I'm only taking 2 really easy classes and studying for the MCAT. The studying is taking a lot of my time, and includes 10 hours of class a week, but I don't have the added stress of 4+ college courses as well. The 2 courses I am enrolled in are easy and basically only require me to show up. I planned my schedule so I have 3 day weekends and this enables me to work some weekends at my summer camp. I make $100-$300 a weekend for having fun, playing with kids, and rock climbing: its great! This weekend cash goes straight into my truck. The money for the blower is a loan from my grandfather. I'll pay him back in a few years when the markets go back up and I make up some of my losses. You know I've lost over $20k in the stock market in the last year? That was part of my future house money. Oh well, the markets will come back.

I am also blessed with a great family that is very supportive of my hobbies and fortunately lives "comfortably." The posi I just ordered is my graduation/birthday present. My current full-time job is still school, and my expenses are paid for by my parents and money from my summer job. Basically, all expenses are a cooperation between me and my parents. For instance, I paid cash for my truck when I turned 16 (stock market and saved bar mitzvah money), so they pay for gas and insurance. I saved them a year of rent and tuition by getting AP credit, so they gave me a little extra allowance. It all works out!

Sorry to ramble, but you asked!
Oh, and I will say again that I am very thankful for my resources and support.

 

[CHH777]

Alec,

Are your parents interested in adopting?


Wish I could have made it to the meet in Houston. I'd really like to see your Explorer. Try again in May?

 

[Alec]

I'll try to arrange one in Houston for May. My plate is pretty full with moving, Moab, my brother's graduation, and camp; but we'll try to work something out.

 

[rpenner54]

You shouldn't need a skid for your muffler but if you do you could go the stock one cut down route, but thats not really worth it. Those stock ones still can get dents in them pretty easy. I know my flowmaster can take the weight of the vehicle.

 

[mattadams]

speaking of dents in mufflers, Ryan was with me when the Explorer was bone stock (had warn hubs and that was it), took a wrtong turn onto spring creek. Several times landed smack down on the ford muffler. Crumpled it up REAL good . Got it back to town and put the flowmaster on and that's pulletproof. I've landed it on rocks and the body of the vehicle gives before the exhaust pipe does (speaking from experience)

 

[Alec]

Hmmm, I guess then I don't need a muffler plate. I just thought it would be a good idea. My Magnaflow is pretty comparable to the Flowmasters, so I should be ok I guess. I just don't want to have to stop at a muffler shop on the way back to Texas.

 

[CHH777]

Alec,

How do you like your Magnaflow?

 

[Alec]

Look at the smiley!

that's how much!

Seriously, it's a great muffler. It's stood up to a lot of abuse and is still going strong. The exhaust note is great at most RPMs (there are still points when it putters like a V6 or drones high like a 4banger). It has been very consistent through all my mods and really makes the truck sound good when I'm driving off or passing someone. With the blower it has this great sound when I decelerate quickly, hmmm, like when you turn down the speed of a voice recording, a deepening and lenghening of the tone. Hehe, guess you have to hear it.

Most of the time it sounds like a V8, but is never overwhelming. There have been a few times though when the resonance of the exhaust system in conjunction with funky weather conditions have caused my subs to harmonize. That was freaky! But any exhaust system can do that....