Stupid-long Exhaust

xenocryst

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Omaha, NE
So I'm about to go on the first wheeling trip with the LJ when I remember that the previous owner installed a fancy (although seemingly long and useless) exhaust pipe tip. To compound the issue, the LJ has a cat-back that seems to my untrained eyes and mechanically challenged self to hang a bit low.

I presume I can rip the tip off (it's just for show, right?). Is there anything I can do about the cat-back? If nothing can be done before the weekend, could I get the pipe bent into a better angle?

I also noticed that the pipe from what I assume is a catalytic converter to the tip is able to shift around where the pipe connects to the CC. Shouldn't that be tight and sealed or something? (Completely clueless about what I'm talking about lol)

IMG_1534.webp IMG_1533.webp IMG_1531.webp IMG_1535.webp
 
Can't really tell from the photos but I would NOT rip off any part of the exhaust that let's the fumes exit under the vehicle. Ya I do know that cats have REDUCED CO2 emissions but do you really want to bet your life on it. I have been on a couple of CO2 suicides and it ain't pretty!!!!!!


Now the fools to which Novak outsourced my exhaust system (shitty welds at every joint) put the 3 inch pipe straight out the back directly under my bumper. I cut that pipe off about 3 inches back from the bumper and turned it to the outside of Stinger and rewelded the tip. After 3 weeks of serious wheeling in Utah and Colorado it has a slight dent in the bottom of the end.
You really don't want the end squeezed shut by a rock .
 
Last picture which shows an exhaust clamp, I assume this is what seems to be loose? The black sooty mess going on right around that clamp is indicative of an exhaust leak. I would tighten that up. That clamp should be tight enough that you see a visible crimp in the pipe. As to the low hanging cat, I assume that's what you mean? That would be pretty hard to do as your third cat sits above the t-case skid and can't go very far. More pics would be helpful if you still have questions
 
I tightened in the pipe. It feels a lot more solid now. I still wish it was bent up closer to the body and back of the bumper. It seems to be in just the right spot to get smashed by a rock. *shrug*
 
Run it to an exhaust shop and have them tidy up the rear. That thing is going to get smashed or torn off.
Got an appointment scheduled for Friday... anything in particular I should tell them? I was going to show them the photo below of this JK as a reference of what I'm looking for.
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I would tell em to bend it so it's riding alongside the hitch and under the bumper. Total protection.
 
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I'd imagine that tip completely comes off (referring to that hose clamp)?
I was thinking that too (I haven't taken a close look at it). How far under the body can the opening of the exhaust pipe be on a TJ before you risk fumes entering the cabin?
 
I was thinking that too (I haven't taken a close look at it). How far under the body can the opening of the exhaust pipe be on a TJ before you risk fumes entering the cabin?

I can't answer that with 100% certainty, but I'm very confident you could have the exhaust be cut short a few inches of the rear bumper without having to worry about exhaust fumes in the cabin.
 
I'd imagine that tip completely comes off (referring to that hose clamp)?


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A shop can remove that tip, make a bend right after the hanger so it shoots next to the hitch and then reinstall the tip and it'll be exiting the rear.

I had a similar fix done on my xj. Midas was pretty precise and got the exhaust right between the hitch and shackle. Like dead on center.

They were a little stupid though cuz they used a torch on the pipe which is right next to my gas tank....which is plastic. Melted it a bit. I had to warn em so they knew about it.
 
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For this wheeling trip, I just removed the tip. No problems with the exhaust where it was this time. Although I saw another LJ there with the pipe routed to just in front of the rear tire. Looked like a good spot to me, and I think I'll add that to my list of to dos for the Jeep. :-)
 
For this wheeling trip, I just removed the tip. No problems with the exhaust where it was this time. Although I saw another LJ there with the pipe routed to just in front of the rear tire. Looked like a good spot to me, and I think I'll add that to my list of to dos for the Jeep. :)

Sounds like a good plan to me!