I have a 2002 f-150 4.2L XL, and was looking at my exhaust today planning for an upgrade. I noticed a counter ballance weight(i believe) built into the clamp right after the y-pipe and before the muffler. After the muffler, on the exhaust pipe, arching over the rear axle, there are some metal blocks welded onto the pipe as weights I suppose. Only exhaust mod I have done before is a cable operated cutoff on my 85 dodge ram, so I am pretty new to this.

My overall questions are..

When i install my stainless steel muffler and exhaust tubing for a SI/SO before rear tire exhaust, should I need to add counter balances?

And I guess it is ok to use clamps on my exhaust since ford did stock?