remove downpipe??

[weraracer]

well i cut about 1/2 the downpipe, but have no idea how you guys are gettin at the top 1/2 to cut it AND i loosened the clamp, but do i take it right off? it seems to be stuck to the turbo, and the downpipe certainly doesnt seem any looser? any thoughts/ideas/help?

[cnesloney422]

it is "stuck", use a screwdriver and put between flange & turbo, it will come off with a little massaging.

Chase N.

[weraracer]

by the way, i already started cutting it, BUT how did you get it off without cutting? i wished i had seen your post about that before i started.

so i just stick somethin in between the clamp and pry it loose? or are you talking about the pipe itself being stuck?

[bogg]

I wonder what you are doing? Installing 4" downpipe? Oh how I miss those days. Remember, it wont fit and you do have to bend the firewall...but on the early 03 its worth the effort

[UNBROKEN]

The stocker has a clip on top to hold it to the turbo flange. Spray the flange with WD40 or a penetrating oil...let it sit for a few minutes...get back under the truck and kick the hell outta what's left of the downpipe. It'll pop right off.

[weraracer]

thanks for the advice but....

i am still unclear on the clamp, i know about the lip, and the kick, but before i do that, i wanna make sure the clamp is loose enough etc., so does it just get loose, or does it come off, it seems to be stuck on on the front side - is it attatched?

also my saw doesnt seem to get around to the top to cut it, is there a trick to that as well? thanks again!

[honkey84]

What I did was cut the down pipe in half. Leaveing some material to work with. Take the clamp completely off. Take a screw driver and insert it between the clamp and flange. Should pop off then. Either use a bar and put it in the down pipe and pry it free. Or use a Big F***ING hammer and hit it. That should get it to come loose.

[UNBROKEN]

Loosen the T bolt on the clamp...when you kick it...everything will pop loose at once.
We do em every day like that.

[weraracer]

well the clamp is off, and it is cut, but crap it wont come out. seems the foil is hookin on a stud holding the firewall padding on, or the tip of the downpipe is hittin the firewall (this is definatley happening), or whatevr, i cant really see why the damn thing wont come off. adding to my frustration is the fact that i get a total of 45min after work until it gets dark,lol. not much time to get stuff done. thanks for the info on the clamp.

[cnesloney422]

ooh, these dead gum 03's have a little srew on the sidewall that the exhaust wrap will hang on. just pull and hit without caring, you will get it.

Chase N,

[UNBROKEN]

That damned foil wrap...I hate that stuff. Your best bet is to cut the bands holding it on with some snips and pull the foil off...then the DP will come out much easier.

[weraracer]

downpipe out (after i cut off that stud it popped out), new stuff almost all in BUT the rear section, well...i dunno about that. seems my rear leaf spring of my lift keeps it from goin on the rubber holder or something. guess it will be another day of trying to race the sun.

[UNBROKEN]

Hang in there man...on trucks with rear lift leaf packs...it's easier to unbolt the hanger from the frame...it's only 1 bolt...slip the hanger on the pipe and bolt it all back up together. Depending on how big your leafs are..you'll probably have to tilt the exit towards the ground a bit to clear the leaves.

[weraracer]

just an update, i beat the sun today, and got it on,lol. i had to use the longer clamp on the front of the muffler vs the short one for ext cab, so that the tailpipe would have more clearance around the sprig, BUT it is still hitting a bit so it will need some tweaking tommorow. sounds better than i expected for having the cat and muffler in. couple of hints for future installers who may read this

1. get a long sawzall blade
2. cut that bolt on the firewall if ya have it
3. wd40 is your friend

thanks for the tips guys!