Adding a slight bend to an exhaust pipe

[travisk]

So I just added a Walker tailpipe and rear exhaust hanger to my XJ because the previous owner had cut it off.

The new pipe rubs against the shackle and the bottom of the bumper. I need to bend it out of the way by about an inch. Is there an easy way to do this?

 

[bluejeepkid]

Smack it with a hammer lol

 

[Mach2nh]

Trim off the end of the shackle if its not being used and it wont hit.

 

[travisk]

Good call on trimming the shackles. They seem to attract rocks anyways.

 

[MoFo]

That looks like a new pipe, so hopefully it hasn't rusted itself tight to the muffler. If you loosen the clamps at both ends of the muffler, and rotate the muffler and pipes a little, you should be able to move the pipe to the side a little. While you are at it, cut about 2" off the end of the pipe. That is what will hit the rocks.

 

[scottmcneal]

If he cuts off 2" of the pipe won't that melt the bushing?

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

just cut the pipe before the bend and add a turndown there

 

[heyhar]

Maybe it's a bad viewing angle. but the exhaust pipe hanger doesn't appear to be properly installed. I've used Walker exhaust parts many times through the years, and never had one, especially for our XJs, that didn't fit perfectly.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

......the exhaust pipe hanger doesn't appear to be properly installed......

Good eye. Might be a simple matter of loosening the
tailpipe/muffler clamp and adjusting the hanger.

 

[travisk]

It's true that the bolt hole on the hanger doesn't line up just right, but the studs are still right in the OEM position. Everything is up against the frame attachments of the bumper, so it can't move inboard anyway.

The tailpipe just isn't perfectly compatible with the extended shackles and that big fat bumper. I can fix half of the problem by trimming the shackle.

 

[ParadiseXJ]

If he cuts off 2" of the pipe won't that melt the bushing?

I doubt it, there is room there to just do a partial trim. But then he'll NEVER be able to use that hole, I'd keep that option open and leave the shackle as is.

just cut the pipe before the bend and add a turndown there

That's what I would do (read: that's what I did). I actually don't have a turndown per se, I just have an angle tip "resonator" (which doesn't really resonate)

Maybe it's a bad viewing angle. but the exhaust pipe hanger doesn't appear to be properly installed. I've used Walker exhaust parts many times through the years, and never had one, especially for our XJs, that didn't fit perfectly.

It's not a stock hanger, it's a universal one. Does look wonky. You may want to physically lift the tailpipe and then tighten up the hanger at the lifted height. If the hardware doesn't fit right, get creative with some alternate hardware.

 

[travisk]

get creative with some alternate hardware.

Yep, got it. Added a spacer on the hanger studs and dropped the whole thing down 1/2". It clears the bumper and the shackle now.

Thanks everyone!

 

[travisk]

Added a ZJ gas tank skid and shackle relocation brackets. Now I'm back to square one. Doh!

 

[thanasi85]

Just have the exhaust tip come right off the muffler and toss the rest of the exhaust pipe that bends around your rear shock and gas tank out.. I have had this done to three of the XJs in out family with no issues.

 

[travisk]

Just have the exhaust tip come right off the muffler

That's how I melted my gas tank.

 

[sidriptide]

Just have the exhaust tip come right off the muffler and toss the rest of the exhaust pipe that bends around your rear shock and gas tank out.. I have had this done to three of the XJs in out family with no issues.

not the best idea. most states wont accept this during a saftey/emissions inspection (i know alot of states dont do these) because of carbon monoxide poisoning and heat build-up under the vehicle.

 

[N8N_99xj]

I'd just get rid of the bend by the gas tank & have the pipe parallel to tank/frame/springs. I have the same pipe so have no problem visualizing the issue. If you get a long enough 2.25" turndown you can do it neatly w/ only one added clamp.

 

[thanasi85]

That's how I melted my gas tank.

not the best idea. most states wont accept this during a saftey/emissions inspection (i know alot of states dont do these) because of carbon monoxide poisoning and heat build-up under the vehicle.

Its only going to melt the tank or plastic guard on the tank if its pointed right at it, wont be an issue with the exhaust tip pointed down in front of the rear axle and I live in CA as well as the OP and I've never had an issue getting any of our three jeeps smogged with the exhaust like this.

 

[themauler]

That's how I melted my gas tank.

Did you have a turndown? Or just open ended muffler?

I have a turn down after a dynomax muffler with zero problems

 

[travisk]

The previous owner had cut it off at the muffler. It wasn't a problem until I drove up a 8,000 ft mountain.

I'm not really a fan of the turndown at the muffler either. It can give the muffler an irritating sound and it can kick up dust at idle/low speeds.