My '09 4x4 came stock with mandrel bent 2.5" ID stainless steel pipes. I see many people put on a cat-back exhaust system. Can someone explain why aftermarket pipes are better than stock? I am considering just replacing my stock muffler with a 30" (or 24" with a piece of pipe) oval Magnaflow to get a little better flow and sound without increasing cab noise (hopefully).

Thanks!

 

To just change the muffler is the most economical way to get a better sound.
Why do people go with kits or have the systems redone by a shop?
Personal choice, I guess.

 

yea a 24" muffler wont be loud unless you mash the gas.

 

"a 24" muffler wont be loud unless you mash the gas."
I would want it to be as quiet as stock (inside the truck) unless I mashed the gas. Would a 24" be just about as quite but perform better?

 

probably yes. going from 30" to a 24" will have a little louder idle.

 

Your 2009 is supposed to have a single 2.75" mandrel stainless exhaust stock.Where is it 2.5"? Is it a dual tailpipe system?

 

It is just over 2.5" ID, 2.75" OD. This further reinforces my thought that there is no reason to replace the pipes on an '09 when upgrading the exhaust (assuming you keep SI/SO).

 

^ That would be called 2.75". Muffler swap will be just fine.