Modified angle exhaust tip question

[Buckshot]

I do a fair amount of driving with a hitchrack on the back of my XLT. The exhaust comes straight back and heats up anything I have on the rack on the right side. So since I'm replacing the muffler, I figured I'd have the exhaust bent to the right to exit behind the right tire at a 90 degree from where it is stock.

My question is this: Has anyone tried to cut a hole in the body panel/molding that is directly to the rear of the rear wheel (the one that gives the body lines back up to the rear bumper) and have the exhaust exit there flush with the panel? Might be kinda slick to have no visible exhaust pipe sticking down below the body at all. My only real concern is paint damage and discoloration from the heat becasue I don't think it would cause a fume issue inside the cab.

 

[Doug]

I've thought about doing that but I don't know if the plastic cladding there would be able to withstand the heat. Other than that it would be pretty easy to do, you could even find a flange to bolt right to the fender.

 

[Bronco638]

I saw a C1500 with this done and it looks really slick. Doug is right, the 'tupperware' that covers that part of the quarter panel is probably not going to handle the heat very well. I'm not sure I'd want to bolt the tip directly to the quarter panel (vibrations and all) but if you extended the tip far enough, the heat might not affect the plastic. I was thinking about doing this as well.

 

[Critical_Level2]

I have a dynomax tailpipe that exits out the pass. side. Mine is an XLS with the plastic tupperware on the side and I have not had any problem with discoloration or melting. The tip points at about 45 degree angle towards the ground, not horizontal to the body. There is about 2-4 inches between the tupperware and the exhaust tip. Unless it is resting against the tupperware it should not be a problem. Just make sure you have a few inches between the body and the tailpipe.

 

[Buckshot]

I have a dynomax tailpipe that exits out the pass. side. ...The tip points at about 45 degree angle towards the ground, not horizontal to the body. There is about 2-4 inches between the tupperware and the exhaust tip.

So does yours come through the body panel below the molding? I can't picture how it would if the tip is at a 45 degree angle. Or have you removed this body panel entirely? I've seen several like that on off-road rigs.

What I am thinking of is leaving the body panel on and installing a flush mount tip with a flange around it to "clean up" the hole I will have to cut in the body panel/chrome cover right behind the wheel. As Bronco pointed out, I will have to leave a little room for tailpipe vibrations between the flange and the tip.

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[jimbo74]

if you wanted to just do it under the panel as well that would work... that is where the first gen explorers have theirs mounted

 

[Fish Man]

i like the idea of going through the cladding. a buddy of mine in high school had a similar deal going with the exhaust on his ranger except i believe the ranger has metal there...

 

[draft]

It doesn't look bad at all exiting under the cladding if you ask me..

 

[X~FACTOR]

^nice! Tastefully done, Draft.

 

[Bronco638]

Draft, your truck is really nice. But, for those of us who go off road, a tip like that is liable to get scraped on a rock or stuffed full of mud/dirt.

Critical Level 2: any chance we could see a pic of your install?

Since I'm going to be putting a 2" BL on my truck, I thought about having the tailpipe routed so that the tip just peeks out from under the bumper, just to the right of the hitch. This would keep it high for ground clearance and the hitch would afford some protection for tight departure angles. However, routing it out thru the quarter panel would provide even more space.

 

[appx91]

Yes just remember that your body is behind that piece of chrome. You have a painted body panel behind the chrome so you would have to cut through 2 pieces of metal. Other than that you should have any probelms.

 

[Critical_Level2]

My pipe exits exactly like drafts does, only I have a single pipe coming out the pass. side just below the panel.

 

[Bronco638]

I think the chrome piece is plastic ("tupperware") and I know that there is quarter panel behind it (Ford didn't finish it!). What concerns me is the way to mount the tailpipe to keep it from rattling against the quarter panel AND not melting the tupperware.

 

[appx91]

My cousin just cut his fenders and we took the chrome piece off and the quarter panel is finish and clear coated. I would say mount your hangers on the outside of the frame. As long as you put enough hangers it won't rattle very much at all. Melting I am pretty sure you will be fine as far as that goes. The guy that did my exhaust told me that Ford makes the coolests running engines. If that helps any.

 

[Bronco638]

I've had my 'tupperware' off and my quarter panel isn't finished underneath (painted but not clear'd). There is also a goofy looking rubber plug in the middle of a stamped indent. So, I'd need the tupperware to maintain that finished look. Perhaps there's a way to mount a pipe support to the quarter panel (inside the wheel well). Hmm, there's something to look into.

Thanks for the ideas - D.