I am the proud owner of a 2004 F150 Heritage, 175,000 miles. I am the second owner.

The truck is in pristine condition. I have had no problems whatsoever with it until recently when the abs light came on. Also, sometimes when I initially accelerate in first gear or reverse, there was a loud rumbling that would immediately go away once I get going. I wasn't too worried about that, until I saw this...












I am a complete amateur when it comes to fixing trucks (I am a detailing guy). So, I have no idea how serious this is, and if it is as serious as it looks. Is the truck safe to drive like this?

I know a muffler isn't too difficult a change in general, but isn't there some welding involved with a flowmaster? What do I need to do here?

Any help is much-appreciated!

 

youre safe drivin it as long as theres a hanger attached to the muffler itself

just go buy an exhaust shop and have them weld you on a new muffler. probably run you about 120 bucks at most.

 

Well my brother-in-law is a capable mechanic and a welder by trade. Is it a very involved process? I can get a duplicate of this muffler for 100.00. I'm thinking parts and labor would come out to a lot more than that, right?

 

Yeah there's nothing to really worry about, but it's probably sounding kind of trashy right now lol. It should be an easy fix, and a replacement muffler shouldn't be much at all. If I were you and didn't want to spend too much money, I'd just take off the pipe after the muffler, replace the muffler followed by two turn downs. That way you don't have to worry about the pipe rusting out again (for awhile at least). You could find a stainless steel muffler and not have to worry about the muffler rotting out either. Around $80 shipped and maybe $5 for a turndown. Get your brother to weld it up and that's it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Magna...Q5fAccessories

 

And thus is the way of Flowmaster, rotting out in just a few years. If I were you, my next muffler would be stainless steel.

 

I agree.

 

It that is a flow 40... I would reccomened a magnaflow 14" si/do. They are similar in loudness under accleration. The maggie deeper and flows better. Maybe also consider a SS flowmaster if you are set on that brand.

 

Ok, well great. I didn't realize this was such a simple inexpensive process. There is a meineke nearby. I have read a lot of horror stories about them on the net, the results of a quick google.

Are they really that bad?

 

Meikeke is alright, good service, just pricey.

If you want to retain the Flowmaster sound buy a t-409 stainless muffler instead of the ordinary aluminized steel crap. Part #80430402

 

Okay, I just got a quote from Midas of $170.00 if it is just the muffler that needs replacing. From these pictures, are my tailpipes still going to be okay, or will I have to replace the entire setup?

thanks again

 

haha 170?! thats rediculous. they arent using much pipe. eff that place. find a shop.

 

$170 is way too much for a simple muffler sway and a bit of pipe.

 

Do like you were thinking earlier. Have your brother in law weld a new flowmaster on it and go on down the road.

 

Okay, fyi, I got completely screwed on this muffler deal. I bought the exact same muffler at O'Reilly auto parts with three clamps for $100.00. I knew that that was high, but I was okay with the 20 bucks or whatever I paid to have it today instead of ordering it online...

Meineke was the only place that could change it today immediately, and I wanted to take care of it ASAP so I brought it there. They quoted me one hour of labor, $80.00, to change it.

At the end of the day, they charged 1.5 hours (they said because it was so rusty it was extremely difficult to remove) and they charged me for 3 additional clamps because they said they needed to further reinforce the rusty exhaust pipes. Problem is, I got home and checked, and I only see 3 clamps. I will take pictures to show you guys. Perhaps I am missing the other three somehow...

So, my bill was $143.00 to get the muffler changed and another 100 for parts that I brought in. $243.00.

I will never be impatient again...

 

!