Nearing getting things wrapped up on the 2002 Silverado 2500HD LB7 that's been in my shop for the past couple of weeks now.
FASS system up and running.
I removed the original exhaust last night. The original owner had cut the muffler out and straight piped it. The current owner likes the sound of it but I think straight piped trucks sound like shit. His wife didn't like it either so I convinced him a Banks Monster exhaust was the ticket. The welds on this straight pipe section were hideous and leaked a lot by the looks of it.
I also invert the V-band clamp so it is easier to access from the wheel well area. Access can be had over the frame between the inner fender and frame rail with an extension and socket.
On the extended cab short bed (ECSB) trucks the front intermediate pipe needs to be trimmed by 9.5". My Baileigh BS-210 made short work of the stainless tubing.
After much finessing everything clears without any interferences. I generally start at the front and loosely tighten things working my way rearward and then start again at the front and tighten them fully as I tweak them to ensure no rubbing or contact with any chassis components or frame parts. Nothing worse than a rattle or bang when driving and hitting bumps.
Lastly as an extra measure of insurance, once everything is tightened properly I go back with my small MIG welder using .023" wire and add about an inch or so of weld to each tubing union/joint. The weight of these exhaust systems can over time begin to move a little as the clamps can and do slip. By having a small weld at each union I can ensure the fitment won't change yet if any additional work needs to be done down the road a die grinder can quickly zip the weld off to allow removal.
The exhaust tip was the last piece of the puzzle. I like them protruding ever so slightly out past the body so it doesn't drone by the body or the rear bumper cupping the exhaust. In this picture it looks like it sticks out quite a bit but it really doesn't as the bed side rolls under. The tip is still recessed slightly more than the upper body of the bed.
This is a better representation of the tip placement in relation to the bed side, bumper and tire. I think this looks nice and won't drone under the bed or blacken the bumper so severely.
Joints clearanced, clamped and welded in place.
I also installed the new Fox 2.0 shocks before lowering the truck.
I turned the lettering on the muffler so it can be read while kneeling down and looking under the truck.
I'm getting closer and closer to completing this truck and moving on to the next project.
Thanks for looking.
Mike
i think the ceiling kept getting soft from the humidity(no ventilation) and it would start to droop....solution add more screws. These were all secured into the studd
