I have a 90 extended cab pickup with the 3vze. I have a little exhaust noise, but it doesn't sound TOO bad, so I got under there and there's a big hole in the muffler and the pipe from the muffler back is completely detached. It's just resting on the hanger and differential.

I live in Kansas and we don't have inspections or anything so what would be the cheapest and easiest way to fix up my exhaust? Is there any reason I can't just run a pipe from my cat to the back of the truck and call it good?

Also, has anybody ever used that cheap flexible exhaust pipe you can get at advance auto parts?

 

Flexible cheap exhaust is just that....cheap. Sure you can install it but it will fall off in 6 months. Kinda seems like a waste of money to me.

Cheapest way, do it yourself by picking up a new muffler/tailpipe section at the dealer, or get it from an auto parts store. Then its just bolt and go, and you can usually have the exhaust fixed in under 30 minutes. Plus it will last a LONG time and look good too.

 

Getting a new muffler and tailpipe section from the dealer is the cheapest way? How much are those from the dealer?

 

The initial cost may be a bit higher but:

1. You will only have to fix it once. Think about how long your original exhaust went for!

2. For me, my time is worth more than the few bucks I save trying to fab some fancy thing. Add on the fact I dont have a welder, pipe bender, or the actual know how, and it becomes worth it pretty quick.

I would guess based on your asking in a thread instead of just doing it that you are like me....and don't have the worlds best fab skills. Otherwise you would have just fixed it and be done with it! (btw don't take offense, just pointing out why its worth it to just replace it right the first time)

 

I use a combination of stainless steel flex pipe and sections of straight pipe on my '85:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/TailPipe.shtml
- http://www.4crawler.com/4Runner.shtml#Engine

The s/s flex has worked very well for me, I bought a coil of it over 15 years ago and have used it on a couple of vehicles over that time and aside from a little surface crud, it'll polish up and look like new. Only problem with it is the price, runs over $10/ft.

 

Yo man you from Kansas, where at? I'm in Abilene, if you need some help I could give you a hand!

 

Yeah, I'm in Topeka! Not too far from ya. Hopefully I can handle the exhaust by myself, however I think I might need to replace my timing belt soon. Have you ever done that?