I have been reading some of the exhaust posts recently and have learned that there is supposedly a TSB for the before rear wheel, side exhaust to correct it. My '97 250LD has this exhaust and after going all winter with it (just bought it in late '00), I have noticed that the chrome wheel looks like crap! The center cap is turning green! I've read on here that with a TSB, you can get a fix to the exhaust and the wheel replaced.

Couldn't find it listed in the TSB section. Is it true? How do I go about getting this done to my vehicle? Do you have to pay when bringing it in for a TSB?

Thanks, in advance, for any help!

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'97 F-250 LD 5.4l

 

My 97 150 4.6 has this and i put on gibson super truck and never had a problem with the wheel. I guess I am lucky

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97F150 4X4 OFFROAD K&N CAI POWERAIDE TB SPACER, GIBBSON SUPER TRUCK CAT BACK

 

I had mine replaced in 98 while still under warranty. It is complete from the cat back. You may have a problem now that yours is out of warranty.

 

Crap. No warranty. Guess I'll have to look for an aftermarket cat-back. Wouldn't mind a little extra performance, but I want it quiet. My Mustangs the loud one of the family. Any suggestions? Any ideas on cleaning a tarnished chrome wheel?

Thanks!

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'97 F-250 LD 5.4l

 

PonyPullin250LD-

I have some advice for cleaning the green stuff off of your wheel and chrome. Get an old toothbrush, first. Then, go and get some of the most potent scum-remover out there-Coca Cola! That's right, use coke and a toothbrush to scrub your wheel and hub. I tried it once (skeptically, I may add), and voila! It took the green crap off my wheel hub and the chrome ring I have installed on my tires. I tried everything, too. Varsol, detergent, and MEK. I hope it works for you, it did for me. however, if it is realy caked on, it may not all come off. I found this on one of my other wheels when after I rotated the tires. The best solution is to get a catback that exhausts behind the wheel-I have a Gibson alumionized Swept Side on my '97.

 

Thanks for the advice, JimW!! I'll give that a try! The Gibson Swept Side is the one I was looking at. Hows the sound? Pretty close to stock? My wife likes it quiet (and technically, it's her truck). Does it include extra hangers to allow a vehicle that wasn't set up with behind the wheel exhaust to do so? Sorry for all the questions, but I really appreciate the advice. If this system is pretty quiet, I'll be ordering soon.

Thanks again! I'm off to get some Coca-Cola!



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'97 F-250 LD 5.4l

 

PonyPullin250LD-

Hope that Coke works for you. The Gibson SS is very quiet, not much louder than stock, and hardly noticeable. It has a slightly deeper tone to it. To be honest, I think the only way you would notice the difference is if you had a stock truck and one with the SS side by side, and stood in front of the exhausts on both while your wife revved each one up. I haven't really had much chance to notice any power gain, I think a little pickup. It looks a world better than the old, tiny, cheesy looking OEM exhaust. As for hangars, they are provided. One extra hangar is needed to hang it out behind the wheel. The extra hangar is simply attached to an extra hole in the frame that is there. I honestly don't know if it was included, because mine was installed by a Gibson dealer. It actually looks like a length of wide plumber's tape. This allows the exhaust to move as needed for frame flex.

They had a special install price of only 20.00, I figured what the hey, I'll get lazy and let a specialist do it. I had a good look when it was up on the stand, and it looks pretty simple. Just lots of tightening on the clamps. The exhaust misses the spare by several inches. I have a 265/75R16 spare, and there was still lots of room. A guy could probably even put a bigger spare tire if needed.

If you have the extra money, it is a good idea to get a new exhaust, expecially if you have a 97.

 

Excellent!! Thanks JimW! That's exactly the info I was looking for. I'll be ordering soon!

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'97 F-250 LD 5.4l