rust on my baja exhausts are gone

[chimera15]

So, anyone have the best solution to repair my disintegrating exhaust system? I've never welded before and have no lift, but don't see paying more than the blue book cost of my truck for new exhausts. My truck may not make it through inspection if I don't fix them though, and I want to keep my baby on the road.

[Zerosven]

if its the stock exhaust i would say its time to upgrade it. im just waiting for mine to rust enough to justify a replacement.

[Mikz86TA]

x2. You could (depending on regulations) use the pipes you can buy from the autoparts store that slip fit and u-clamp. Yhey also have various do-it-yourself hangars. Buy a muffler and then just dump it before the axle. Like I said, depending on regulations. Generally its ok to dump if its not a suv and its a truck. As long as its behind the cab area.
Do they regulate cat converter for your year also? Some after many years are exempt

[chimera15]

Oh really? That's really interesting about being able to clamp something on, I hadn't thought about that. I'll look that up.

Yeah it got past last inspection cause I guess they are barely just ok till after the cab, but I sort of also want to keep this truck somewhat nice. The tips are literally rusting off. I was able to just take the tip of the really nice chromed end off just by pulling it with my hand, and I expect the other one is ready to go so that should give an indication of how rusted it is. I'll be lucky if it doesn't come flying off while I'm on the road and destroy a car behind me.

I didn't know that about the cat converter. I may be moving to California, so I would expect that it would still have to have one, and more. I need to get it California ready.

What would be the best to give it extra power?

[chimera15]

if its the stock exhaust i would say its time to upgrade it. im just waiting for mine to rust enough to justify a replacement.

Baja had a really nice kit, dual, chromed, large diameter, not sure about the exact specs.. I would like to upgrade it, at least keep it the same.

[Zerosven]

baja had some cool extras, shame they only made it a few years. but i guess thats what made them what they are. i dont really know much about exhaust upgrades theres alot to it. just search "Exhaust" on the forums here. and you should find more information then you ever thought you would want about exhaust systems.

[chimera15]

Ok, new update on this. Got the exhausts fixed. Had to for it to pass inspection. Now has nice shiny metal tips again.
Al's muffler did it for about $500, which isn't as bad as I thought it might be. It wasn't worth me trying to do it myself for that price.


However, this has caused a new problem it seems. I'm getting a burning smell when I'm stopped at a red light after driving for several miles. This is hard to show the guys that repaired the exhaust, so they don't see it and insist nothings wrong.

Also when I shut the truck off now there's a lot of smoke when I get out, burning smell, and there's a ticking coming from the engine compartment. They seemed to acknowledge that, but didn't seem to think it was a problem? I don't remember it doing that before. Is the ticking just cause the new pipes are stainless steel from what I had before or something?

[Mikz86TA]

New stainless pipes will emit a unique odor and it has a strong burn smell to it. My Gibson headers did for a while after I installed them.
Welds and paint used on the exh joints will also emit a smell and may smoke a bit. Some shops will paint the welds with hi temp paints.
Ticking while running or after shut down?

[Jay-Sliver]

Ticking while running could be a bad joint somewhere...be it exhaust manifold gaskets, bad seal at the y-pipe to manifold, an incomplete weld...

Make sure your valve covers are not leaking oil and dripping down onto the exhaust manifolds. The oil will burn and give off a burning smell, and smoke a bit too.


Jay

[chimera15]

Ok, good to know. I have about a 2 hour drive today, so hopefully all the stuff that can burn will be burnt off after this.


The ticking is after it shuts down...it sounds like the pipes are contracting after being hot maybe? Dunno.

[Jay-Sliver]

Yes, ticking after its shut down is normal. Its exactly what you said, pipes cooling and contracting.


Jay

[renswic]

baja had some cool extras, shame they only made it a few years. but i guess thats what made them what they are. i dont really know much about exhaust upgrades theres alot to it. just search "Exhaust" on the forums here. and you should find more information then you ever thought you would want about exhaust systems.

Baja's came with stock exhaust, his most likely had an after market cat back set up. Soon as tax monies clear my Baja is getting new exhaust. Cat is going bye bye(clogged and rusting currently and not needed in MT) so straight pipe into a Thrush welded muffler and dumped out in front of the rear tire

[lonniejr]

OMG another person from montana on here! holy cowa bunga.