exhaust tailpipe difference 1997 and 1996
 

There are two different part numbers 1996 is 45672 and 1997 is 55070 from Walker.I thought both trucks took the same exhaust? They look the same. I want to use the 96 tailpipe on the 97.Will it fit? The 97 tailpipe looks like it has no welded piece on the back to use for the hanger. No one near me stocks either pipe. I don't want to order it and find it wont work and have to pay for return shipping. Also the 96 tailpipe has a 3.5 inch outlet and the 97 has is 3 inch. The 96 tailpipe has a welded piece near the out let to support from the hanger.

Looks like you have it pretty well figured out. I would say it "should" fit, but you will have to figure out the hanger. I know when I put the aftermarket 4" on my 97, I had to drill and put a hanger at the very back for the tailpipe, so perhaps that is part of it?

My trucks have a habit of the stocker hangers being missing or damaged. I use a generic hanger like a walker 35103, and a u-bolt style muffler clamp to match the pipe size. Done.