How tough to re-do my exhaust ?

[Drivir8]

The muffler and most likely all the pipe on the new Wag is pretty toasty... Can I do this myself without going nuts? It costs a small fortune to get it done by a shop...

[Tad]

Ain't that bad if you weld and have access to some tools. Took me about a whole day to get mine right.

[Drivir8]

I can't weld.... I will have to use clamps... :/

[wy_white_wolf]

Are you planing to buy prefabed pipe for the waggy? If so, then usually the hardest part is getting everything off. Use lots of penetating oil on the manifold bolts. If they bust off it's drill and easy out time. You can clamp everything then take it to someone to be welded.

[Bob Barry]

I wouldn't even weld it. On an '86 Wag, there are only four pieces to the exhaust:

* Front Y-pipe
* Converter
* Muffler
* Tailpipe

Three Clamps and it's all together. A sawzall does help in getting the old stuff off.

[Max Power]

If you must use clamps, position them so that they won't get caught on every log and rock. {or if you don't get offroad, the speed bumps at the mall JK}

Mine is welded and has taken lots of abuse.

Do you have emissions in Virginia? if so, a hi-flo cat is a worthwile investment.

good luck,
Robert

[1BDWAGN]

Summit has these really nice band clamps for putting exhaust pipe together. Ok they are not as cheap as the ones in the store for $2 but they look like they have a better chance of holding things together without a leak.

[BK]

I couldn't climb under there to do that much work. I had the local muffler shop do the whole thing. Y pipe and all. They had to drill and tap after they took that old rusty cracked thing off. Tough to do if you don't have a lift.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Have SAFETY GLASSES and a sawzall, and you'll be in good shape. Be careful if you're changing the y-pipe - you may break studs. If you're cutting from in back of the cat, sawzall the pipe behind the connection, and then bend the piece out that's left inside. Crimped connections will raraly slide out after the clamp is removed.

[Drivir8]

Looks like I have to keep a cat on there but we don't have emissions... so maybe I should take all the other emission junk off while I'm at it! Then again, just to be safe I think I'll wait till I have it inspected... smile.gif