After researching here and on manufacturer's sites, I have decided on a Gibson Sideswept for my '01 S'crew 4x4 5.4L. Exhaust rust has not been an issue on my vehicles in So. Cal., but stock system is stainless. Is stainless' benefit just for road salt-using states? If both have a lifetime warranty, why not get the cheaper one (alum.)? Any feedback would help. Thanks.

 

If you got the $$$, go for the stainless no matter where you live. If $$$ is a factor, and you live in So. Cal, the aluminum system should last for a long time. I live in the NW and have only had aluminum systems and have driven in the rain, mud, snow and have not rusted out a system yet. Owned the last set on my 86 5.0 GT for ten years.

If you live in a state where salt is used, or you go to the beach alot (we can still drive on the sand on WA beaches!) then pop for the stainless. The extra $100 would be well spent for that situation.......

 

Thanks for the advice MitchF150. I spoke to Gibson today, and they said alum. would be fine for So. Cal. Plus with a lifetime warranty, if I did ever have rust, they said that I could get a warranty replacement.

P.S. No beach driving allowed down here.

 

js12930,

Are you sure the stock system is Stainless? I'm not doubting you, I just want to know who to bitch to....mine is not

 

You better double check on the rust though warranty on the Gibson. I've read post where guys have had rust problems and Gibson wouldn't cover it. Remember, moisture builds up inside the exhaust system. It's made my the cats also as a by-product of their function. If you're keeping your truck for more than 2 yrs I'd get the SS. My Borla SS system has been on for 3 yrs and 77k miles. Not one bit of rust or damage.

 

I used to have a Gibson Swept Side, aluminized, and a baffle inside the muffler broke loose about 10k miles ago and rattled like the devil... I called Gibson and they told me to take a flyin' leap. I replace only the muffler with a Dynomax and left the Gibson pipes in place. Worked out great, an exact fit. No rust on the pipes when I replaced the muffler and I had about 40k miles on them. I was not happy about the muffler situation but I did get a resolution using the Dynomax that worked out fine. I probably could have went with Flowmaster as well but my shop couldn't match one up.
My Gibson aluminized pipes are more than still hanging in there with almost 50k miles on them...

 

Go with aluminum. If it rusts out you get to have the fun of shopping for a new one.

 

js12930

I'm in North Texas but I went SS anyhow. A year ago, and it may have changed, the aluminized did NOT have a lifetime warranty. The $60-$70 more I paid for stainless was the cost of a muffler if I did have a problem.

I've heard a couple of people say there exhaust is SS. One person even pasted a quote from a Ford Tech Manual I think it was. It could be. Maybe 2001 and up? Either way, if you think you're isn't but is, dont' expect to see shiny pipes. Not even with Gibson. For example, Gibson uses 409 stainless which isn't polished. Some like Borla I think use 304 which is high in chromium but are also more brittle which is probably part of whay you pay so much more for them. It's harder to Mandral bend brittle tube.

Go SS if nothing more than peace of mind. If they do warrant the aluminized now for life, that's not bad then!