radical exhaust location

[kware1]

Hey Guys.

I recently saw some pics of an 02 Explorer with a custom exhaust located where the trailer hitch used to be. I thouht that was so slick, I.want to put it on my own. From some pics I've seen on this forum it looks like the hitch is part of the bumper and removing it will alter the support. I was thinking of cutting out only the section where the hitch actually sits. Any ideas on how I can make this happen.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

Hey Guys.

I recently saw some pics of an 02 Explorer with a custom exhaust located where the trailer hitch used to be. I thouht that was so slick, I.want to put it on my own. From some pics I've seen on this forum it looks like the hitch is part of the bumper and removing it will alter the support. I was thinking of cutting out only the section where the hitch actually sits. Any ideas on how I can make this happen.

If your cutting you may as well remove it... It doesn't add support if you cut out the middle
Now what a lot have done and you may have seen is a body lift that leaves a gap over the hitch and that's how most have done this on theirs hope this helps
Edit- I'm almost positive that the rear bumper is your hitch which means you would need it for inspection purposes

 

[kware1]

link to exhaust install

This is the link to a pic of the exhaust install. There were a couple of shots from the bottom. The hitch wD definitely removed.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b450/kware1/30444240142_medium.jpg

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

This is the link to a pic of the exhaust install. There were a couple of shots from the bottom. The hitch wD definitely removed.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b450/kware1/30444240142_medium.jpg

Yeah its definitely gone I guess it depends where you live I'm almost positive here in va where we have yearly inspections it wouldn't pass since there wouldn't be support under there.. may be fine in states without...
Also if you removed it you would lose the support for the back step so I'd imagine you would have to have something across there for support (i can't live without that back step)

 

[kware1]

Yes, that's what I'm thinking. From the pics I saw for the removal, its like the bumper cover would just hang there. I'm thinking cutting out the visible hitch section, welding two brackets across the top and bottom, and sending the dual exhaust through the middle. Knock on wood, but I've had this truck for over six years and never had a flat, so I would have to remove the spare to make it work.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

Yes, that's what I'm thinking. From the pics I saw for the removal, its like the bumper cover would just hang there. I'm thinking cutting out the visible hitch section, welding two brackets across the top and bottom, and sending the dual exhaust through the middle. Knock on wood, but I've had this truck for over six years and never had a flat, so I would have to remove the spare to make it work.

Sounds good be sure to post pics and hope you don't have a flat

 

[kware1]

LOL. Like I said...knock on wood

 

[Kazer]

kware, what about an exhaust setup like this...?

02dubs' explorer

 

[kware1]

Yes, I actually thought of that today when I was detailing my car. Thanks for the visual. Unless the exhaust can fabricate something, I think I'm going with your setup.

 

[Jay801]

How do you go about setting up an exhaust system like that

 

[kware1]

You have to remove the spare. The exhaust shop should be able to route the pipes