Just got in from removing my stock exhaust and started to put on my Gibson swept side. Gawd, I gotta go find a cheater bar to put on my wrench. I can't get the exhaust tubes to collapse together with the pipe clamps. Gibson sure sends some heavy duty tubes with these kits. It got too dark and we still have a lot of bad weather from the remains of that hurricane Floyd. I did start my engine for a moment to listen to the Gibson, it does sound deeper in tone, not too loud, and I'm sure that it will sound better once I get the clamps tightened down. A little bit of rattling emmanating from under the truck due to the loose pipes. Anyway, while I was removing the rear pipe clamp on the head pipe, in front of the muffler, I noticed that there was some sort of round metal cylinder attached to the pipe clamp. This cylindric object sticks out from the clamp towards the driveshaft. I'm not sure what it does, does it "balance" the headpipe against vibration or something? Do I still need it? If you have a truck like mine, take a look at it, you may have not noticed it before. Let me know what you think it is, thanks...

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1999 F150 4x4, dark blue, 5.4l auto, Manick brush guard, KC Hilites, tinted windows, K&N air filter without airbox, Gibson side swept exhaust, bedliner, toolbox, Uniden CB with whip.

 

Sounds like a harmonic balancer(counterweight,dampener) for the pipes. Subaru has been using these for a while.

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1999 F250 SD CC, LWB, 5.4L, Auto, 4x4, Power TT mirrors w/ marker lights, White, Full Tint, PendaPro SR, Flowmaster Delta 40 series, K&N filtercharger(Airbox reinstalled, no improvement founded with out it.)

 

wjt,

I just changed my exhaust today and noticed what you are talking about.

When I cut loose the old exhaust I noticed that it had a tendancy to roll towards the passenger side, which is the opposite side of the pipe balancer. Check out the design of the stock exhaust and you'll notice that the pipes do not enter or leave the muffler at the center point.

I have to agree with the above posting, this is a balancer. If you purchased an aftermarket kit, you shuouldn't need this unless its specified in the paperwork.



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1999 F-150 Supercab Flareside Sport Package
Oxford White Full tint Bug shield CD player, 17" wheels, K&N
Ford Soft Tonneau cover
Gibson Super Truck Looking for more!

 

My Gibson Swept Side should be arriving sometime next week. I have not had a chance to look at my stock system yet to see what will be involved in the install. Will I have to saw off the old muffler or is it bolted on? Any other comments about the install? Thanks!

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'98 F-150 XLT SuperCab 5.4L 4x4 3.55LS TTow K&N
See me at http://bluecrab.richmond.edu/crab-1.htm

 

steve,

From what I have seen, the kits attach right in front of a factory clamp, meaning that you will need to cut the old header pipe about 17" in front of the muffler.
Mine was a Super Truck installed on a 99 SC, so it may be a little different.

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1999 F-150 Supercab Flareside Sport Package
Oxford White Full tint Bug shield CD player, 17" wheels, K&N
Ford Soft Tonneau cover
Gibson Super Truck Looking for more!

 

After installing my swept side, i put the balancer back approximately where it came off.. Had to be there for a reason. No problems as of yet and no vibrations. Enjoy the system, I love it on my truck.
Gino

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Gino Tedesco, '99 XLT 5.4l, SUPERCHIPPED, 3" Gibson catback exhaust,4x4 S/C Flareside D.wedge bl/Dk.graph, factory sidesteps & Tonneau cover, Manik grlgaurd w/Piaa lights, 305/70-16 Goodyear Wrangler AT/S tires