Ok, just got my 2004 F150 a few days ago and I'm working on getting all parts in good shape...

Its a SIDO setup, but the muffler is rusted and literally in pieces on the car and the drivers side pipe is missing. Passenger side pipe is in good shape, but not connected to the muffler because the muffler is in such terrible shape.

My question is: Since I'm gonna need to get a new muffler and pipe, what should I be considering? I'm not wanting to spend more than $2-300 and I'd prefer to get it done at a shop (if possible in that price range). What parts should I be looking at if I want something that's gonna be quiet at speed, but is just noticeable at idle and sounds good under acceleration?

I've seen lots of info on here, but I'm slightly overwhelmed with options. Any suggestions?

 

I would say a 22" Magnaflow would do what you describe for sound.

 

I'd say an 18"+ Magnaflow as well. Magnaflows are the best value of the "good" mufflers in my opinion. They're stainless (409), so as long as you aren't on the coast, it should be able to handle Cali for a very long time. 409 stainless pipes after the muffler can be worth it if you wanted to pay more and not have to worry about ever messing with the exhaust again, but it can be hard to find someone who will weld/carry it and it's a good bit more expensive.

I personally prefer Borla mufflers and they won't drone on the highway like a Magnaflow can potentially do, but they're more expensive as well. But for $2-300, I'd definitely just do regular pipe with a Magnaflow.

I could also (probably) tell you what lift you have if you post a pic of the crossmember. And if it's 2 or 4 wheel drive.

 

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm in Indiana for now, with plans to move to Florida later this year. Got any links to parts (or part numbers) that you'd recommend - either Magnaflow or Borla?

 

I definitely confused you for someone else entirely after clicking on your truck, sorry about that! Not sure who I was thinking of, but I'll use the "I was supposed to be working" excuse. The rest of my family is moving to Indiana in about a month though. Figure out what the diameter of your "dual out" pipes is, and go from there. The inlet is 2.5" and the below part numbers are for single 2.5" in and dual 2.5" out, because that's a common set up. The only other one it should be is single 2.5" in and dual 2.25" out, but you never know until you measure.

400485 for Borla:
http://www.borla.com/products/proxs_centerdual.html

Magnaflow: Any 14-22" muffler that is 2.5" in with dual 2.5" out. Just depends how loud you want it, but 18 or 22" is probably what you want. 14" are pretty loud.
http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/universalmuffler.asp