We have to admit that we’re fans of easy. No, not that kind of easy; but easy when it comes to installing performance parts on our trucks. And installing a cat-back exhaust is one of the easiest upgrades you can make, especially when the exhaust in question is Magnaflow’s Off-Road exhaust.
This 3-piece wonder replaces the heavy stock unit with a free-flowing muffler that is not only lighter and better able to quickly exit the spent gasses, both of which improve performance, it adds a throaty sound to the vehicle that we tend to like, too.
We were at 4 Wheel Parts when they installed this Magnaflow Off-Road exhaust onto this SEMA bound Dodge Ram 1500. The Magnaflow system in question is for the 2009-2014 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7L engine, but they produce one for many different vehicles, ranging from trucks to Jeeps.
This owner was combining the Magnaflow install with a cold air type intake and a computer controller: the holy trinity of late model performance additions. Unless you want to start hanging a forced induction unit on your engine, this trio of tune improving is good for many horses, and they’re all easy to install.
We want to thank the 4 Wheel Parts crew for letting us follow along as they upgraded this Ram.
The stock exhaust is what you’d expect from a stock exhaust: it’s made to work within governmental guidelines.
The stock unit is a dual outlet design. Not to be confused with a dual exhaust design, which means that it looks kind of cool but may not really work any better than simply having one outlet. It’s also heavier than it needs to be.
Magnaflows idea to performance exhaust must be less is more, as there is not much to this particular kit.
Disassembly begins with the mechanics best friend, WD 40, lubricating the rubber hangers.
4 Wheel Parts have cool pliers to get the hangers off the post, but you at home can just use Channel-Locks.
The two rear duals are removed.
A few sprays of WD40 on the muffler connection helps to free things up.
With the clamps loose, the huge stock muffler is removed. It’s nearly as big as the installer’s torso, and probably weighs more.
The rubber hangers are removed from the stock can.
The new Magnaflow muffler is installed.
With a few more sprays of WD40, the hangers are installed onto the new Magnaflow unit.
The system ends in a simple down dump so there won’t be any interference with long travel rear suspensions.
Once the entire kit is installed and correctly positioned, all of the hardware is tightened up.
And that’s it. The 4 Wheel crew had the job done in very short order, and you at home can have this job done in maybe two hours and that’s with not even having to put the truck up on a lift. Simply slide under and do it.
