rkneeshaw
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2009
- Messages
- 469
- Reaction score
- 7
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Northern Michigan
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 4.0L
- Transmission
- Manual
Most cat-back systems these days are for a 98+ ranger. The only option I could really find for my model year was a series of aluminized cat-back systems, nobody offered stainless. But there are several stainless options for the newer rangers, including the Dynomax 39315 for only $181 on amazon.com (shwing!). I was under the impression the underside of the ranger didnt change much at all over the years, and the same 4.0L is in the 98's as is in my 94, so why does the 98+ catback systems not supposedly fit on my 94?
I decided to find out. It turns out that (of course) the routing of the exhaust is NO different. The only difference I could find after searching online for pictures of the undersides of the newer rangers is that Ford changed the hanger locations on the exhuast. On the 98+ the front hanger is directly above the muffler, and the rear hanger is forward of the rear tailpipe by a foot or two. On my 94 the front hanger is in front of the muffler and the rear hanger is right near the final bend on the tailpipe.
Well a couple lousy hanger locations shouldn't stop me from using a stainless cat-back for 98+ rangers!
Fair warning, I think you'll have to be prepared to do without your spare tire if you want to do this. I haven't had one under my truck since I bought it so I don't really know if its possible to keep it or not.
First things first, move the rear hanger forward. I had to remove my spare tire rack (which I wasn't using anyway) and cut off the rivet on the stock hanger, then used a regular bolt and nut to re-use the hole in the frame that my spare tire rack was using, like so:
Next, get yourself about an 8" straight section of exhaust pipe because the 39315 isn't long enough. Here's what a local shop made for me:
Thats about it. I am going to have an exhaust shop weld on a hanger at the forward location, even though it may not be necessary.
Only one tight spot here (NOTE: I have rear leafs from a 2006 ranger installed here and about 1" lift shackles):
The rest fits perfectly, and most importantly the flange mates perfectly to my cats:
And a few more pics of the install:
Sounds pretty good too. Not much louder than stock, and the tip looks real good, nice and beefy (sorry for the bad picture, looks better in person)
I decided to find out. It turns out that (of course) the routing of the exhaust is NO different. The only difference I could find after searching online for pictures of the undersides of the newer rangers is that Ford changed the hanger locations on the exhuast. On the 98+ the front hanger is directly above the muffler, and the rear hanger is forward of the rear tailpipe by a foot or two. On my 94 the front hanger is in front of the muffler and the rear hanger is right near the final bend on the tailpipe.
Well a couple lousy hanger locations shouldn't stop me from using a stainless cat-back for 98+ rangers!
Fair warning, I think you'll have to be prepared to do without your spare tire if you want to do this. I haven't had one under my truck since I bought it so I don't really know if its possible to keep it or not.
First things first, move the rear hanger forward. I had to remove my spare tire rack (which I wasn't using anyway) and cut off the rivet on the stock hanger, then used a regular bolt and nut to re-use the hole in the frame that my spare tire rack was using, like so:
Next, get yourself about an 8" straight section of exhaust pipe because the 39315 isn't long enough. Here's what a local shop made for me:
Thats about it. I am going to have an exhaust shop weld on a hanger at the forward location, even though it may not be necessary.
Only one tight spot here (NOTE: I have rear leafs from a 2006 ranger installed here and about 1" lift shackles):
The rest fits perfectly, and most importantly the flange mates perfectly to my cats:
And a few more pics of the install:
Sounds pretty good too. Not much louder than stock, and the tip looks real good, nice and beefy (sorry for the bad picture, looks better in person)
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