Here are some photos with the exhaust tips removed (came right off!?) and the two upper bolts tightened:


There needs to be another 1/2 of clearance for the aluminum rod end. *$^%^#%

 

can you jack them up a little?

 

I was always under the impression that the lower-link kit did not work with lowered trucks, and that you would need to go with the upper link kit.

Daniel

 

nope the lowers are for lowered trucks (clearance issues)

 

I am awaiting instructions from Metco and/or further assistance from Paul at REM. I'm really ticked off that it does not fit a stock exhaust, nor was I advised of such by either the vendor I bought the bars from or by Metco. Really leaves a bad taste in my mouth for what is otherwise a fine product.

Right now I have the driver's side installed, so I want to resolve the issue soon. I don't know if having only one traction bar will hurt, but I bet it won't help.

 

Here's the driver's side:

 

Hmm... you can always run without the bar on the drivers side. Their pretty easy to put in out out (relatively speaking).

I haven't heard of anyone else having problems with the stock exhaust. Maybe something about the tips beign replaced?

I'm sure that Metco/REM will get it straightened out. They are both upstanding companies that put keeping the custoemr happy above all else.

Coldie

 

From Metco: "The METCO lower link model does require slight modifications to rear exhaust pipe to clear the bracket......that is why we also made the upper link model, which does not require exhaust modifications."

Of course, I responded with a request for more information. I will wait and see what they have to say.

Thanks to everyone for your help--keep the ideas coming.

 

The easiest way that I know of to fix your problem would be to shorten the exhaust pipes going into the muffler about 3/4 of an inch that way you will still be able to use the factory hangers and you might have to rebend the tips but I don't know how centered they were or will be.But might be able to do that without going to muffler shop.Stan also did you get the bar?

 

Hey Tim,

It seems your exhaust is hanging down a little to low. It should come out where the cut out is in the top part of the brackect.

Metco had the bracket cut out some at the top so the pipe would not touch the bracket.

I put the Lowers on my 01L with stock exhaust and took the stock exhaust off and put on the JDM full exhaust and it worked OK with the JDM exhaust also.

Hmmm...The guys that sell us parts try their best to make them fit with little extra effort, sometimes you have to do a little more modification to make things fit perfectly. Every truck is a little different... Ruslow has a good idea..

 

The tips are centered front-to-back, maybe just a tad low top-to-bottom. It looks like I will have to have the back tip/exhaust joint dimpled/crushed.

I did get the bar! Thanks 1,000,000!

(Stan shipped me a replacement panhard rod even though the breakage of the original was totally my fault). Once again, it is great guys like Stan that allow me to keep my sanity.

 

Don't get me wrong--Metco has been VERY GOOD to me. Even though I did not buy from them, they exchanged my upper links for lower links at no cost. And the bars are of incredible build quality--which one might expect for $400.

With Ruslow's panhard, I spent many hours adapting it to fit with the Mag-Hytec diff cover. I expect that when I change things, other things won't fit. It just gets frustrating when part after part doesn't fit right on my stock truck and the instructions are totally lacking. Hell, I've whipped up better instructions on my Web site--and I'm not even in the business. How hard is it to take a picture or two and photocopy it?

 

Damn nice of Metco and Ruslow to swap them out for you..

That's why we have this forum, for people to post there tips, no pun intended Tim.

Great bunch of folks around here to help us out...

 

... even though I had my muffler's replaced everything was still placed in the stock location. What I did was I went by a muffler shop and asked how much for them to rebend the pipes. They cut off the pipes before the mufflers and I had the metco's installed, then I took it back to the muffler shop and they reinstalled everything with clearance and it cost me $35. Worth it to me.

First time at the track I ran 1.82 60ft's consistently with street tires (nitto streets). The best I could do before that was 1.89 on the same tires. Mine is set at 1.5 degrees.

 

I'm suprised the tips slid right off...I would have never thought that after seing the tech struggle with the factory one's on mine.
he sprayed and twisted and air hammered...Did not mean to give you bad info...