I ordered the Big Exhaust 4" mufflerless system and "began" to install it tonight. I would really like to see pics of the tailpipe installed.

1. It hangs WAY too low IMHO. The only way I can make it look close to the way *I* think it should look is by pushing it up until the axle hump is touching the bed. And even then is still looks too low to me.

2. I'm only able to use ONE of the rear hangers and like I said above, when using it it pushes the tailpipe down too far.

3. Pretty much wherever I try to hang it the tailpipe sticks out past the fender about 4"

4. If you get the pipe underneath the truck to look right (atleast close) then the end of the tailpipe is all the way towards the rear by the bumper.

So far I can only say that I am disappointed in the system. When I first considered it I compared it with Rip Rooks and they have the same bends in the tail pipe so I assumed it was good to go. Now I AM having a bad week with the rig so maybe I'm just doing something completely stupid but I would appreciate input, especially from anyone running the Big Exhaust or Rips system...

Thanks,
Ryan

 

I have Rips on the floor in the shop. [undecided] It's been lying there for two weeks now and im itchin to get it on the truck. The plan is to get it on next week. ;D Rips fits up tight and few inches behind mud flaps. Also, Big K just put a 4&quot; from the resinator back and it looks good.<br><br><br> Joe

 

Ryan:<br><br>I don't have the same 4&quot; exhaust system you do but<br>will try to help you here. <br><br>I have helped install several 4&quot; Dodge CTD exhaust<br>systems and can tell you they all fit different. <br>Let me try to address some of your questions:<br><br>#3- You may very well have to cut off some of the<br>tailpipe to make it look right. I would suggest adding<br>a chrome tip, like the ones sold through &quot;Genos Garage.&quot;<br>I have one and they look and fit real well! <br>Here is their website: www.genosgarage.com.<br>The 5&quot; &quot;Monster Tip&quot; will go right over the end<br>of your tailpipe.<br><br>#4- if you are not satisfied with the &quot;postion&quot; of<br>where the tailpipe is you can have an exhaust shop<br>heat and bend your tailpipe to a better position for<br>you. Another &quot;alternative&quot; is to purchase another<br>tailpipe extension from someone else, although I<br>realize that probably is not something you really<br>want to do.<br><br>Sorry, the system is not working good for you!<br>Hope this has helped you some.<br><br>--------<br>John_P

 

Thanks fellas, I know there are ways around the problems it just burns me up that I have to do that. Maybe I'm different than most but when I buy something as a &quot;bolt on&quot; I think somewhere in the back of my mind that I can BOLT it on with very little to no modifications....<br><br>I just wish I would have left the stock exhaust on now because I'm driving 900+ miles next Monday and doubt I'll have time to get this one the way I want it.<br><br>

 

Ryan - I purchased Rip's system for my '99. I too was somewhat disappointed at the amount of customizing to get it to fit. I was expecting a &quot;bolt-on&quot; solution. The muffler and the pipes were all different lengths than the stock system and the clamps/brackets did not match. I got the system on except for the tailpipe &amp; tip. The guy who's going to weld the tip on wants to do it off the truck. My main concern is that I now have only half the amount of hangers supporting the system compared to the stock 3&quot; setup. I also ran into the same problem with the system hanging lower and the tailpipe placement. In trying to adjust the pieces I either bumped into the bed or the spare tire. ( I have a sb quad cab)<br><br>The new system definitely sounds different - more throaty. I ran it with the tailpipe &amp; tip just fitted on and it sounds much better. The muffler has louvers inside that are all cupped in one direction. You can install the muffler either way to either increase or decrease db's.<br><br>Good luck

 

tell ya what. my rip rook 5 inch system went on slicker than snot. ;D didnt strain or fight at all gettin it on ;D. thanks rip

 

I've got Rips 4&quot; exhaust. I also didn't read the directions Rip sent first time through hanging the exhaust, but as they say.... when all else fails....<br><br>The tail pipe hump over the rear axle is two pieces. Depending on accessories, both from Dodge and aftermarket, you will or will not need the full drop behind the axle, and you can align the exit angle of the tail pipe.<br><br>Rips instructions says hang the pipe, measure up to the body where you want the tail pipe to hang, and cut that length off of the male end of the hump (behind the axle).<br><br>Even without reading the instructions the first time through, It took all of 2hrs-35min for me to install. I used all of the hangers Rip sent and shortened the two pieces Rip's instructions said to shorten. Worked out really well.

 

Thanks for the input, the BE didn't come with instructions and I didn't honestly think that I needed them just to slide a few pipes together :<br><br>I'm gonna give her another whirl tonight.

 

As stated, I have Rip's 4&quot; from res back. Took a few tries @ the tailpipe orientation, (strictly due to a lack of experience), but no cuts were needed, and it's well hung. Nice and high. <br>As we have metal fab capability here, we left the hanger/clamp kit w/Rip. He substituted some weld-on hangers to utilize stock positions. <br>It's simple, but not a piece of cake if you want to get it right. Like I said, it took a bit of twisting and turning to get the tailpipe/axle sections to mesh properly. Another hand, or three is helpful! ;D

 

Well here is the update.....

First of all when the exhaust showed up the band clamps didn't make it. I was dying to get started so I called BE and they said that they were shipped out on the same day and &quot;will be there tomorrow&quot;. So I proceeded to remove my exhaust and get the new one on so that I would be ready when they got here.

Next day....no band clamps

Come home today....no band clamps. BUT I received an email from them this afternoon stating that they had &quot;just shipped my order&quot;. Well that's funny since the exhaust is ALREADY ON MY TRUCK. The email had a link to the UPS tracking page which stated that both of the items had already been delivered...

I called BE again to find out what the mix up was. They told me that they had been shipped and they didn't know why I didn't have them...duh. He called me back a couple minutes later to tell me that the band clamps were NOT shipped because they were on BACK ORDER. Now if this was indeed the case...why didn't they tell me that up front instead of telling me to go ahead with the install because the clamps &quot;will be there tomorrow&quot;?????? He said that he could get them shipped out in the morning and I should have them by next Wednesday. I explained to him that I put this exhaust on based on the fact that they assured me the parts would be here on time and that I had to leave for a cross country trip this weekend and I HAD to have the clamps now. I told him that it was their mistake and if he couldn't get them here in time for me to make my trip I would have to find someone who could help me out....his reply was &quot;Well then, do you just want me to credit your account for a refund?&quot; I was thinking something more along the lines of &quot;well since we made the mistake we will get them out next day air to you&quot;....

Now I understand that sometimes things happen but from the beginning this has been an unpleasant experience to say the least. Shipping was not what they said it was, the parts don't fit like they told me they would and they don't care about the fact that they caused me a great inconvenience and they made absolutely NO effort to help fix the problem that they caused.

I have to give Big Exhaust a HUGE thumbs down. &gt;

 

Thanks for the Heads-Up. <br><br>A cheaper price isn't always the best deal. [undecided]<br><br>Customer Service means alot to me.<br><br>Ed

 

Ryan:<br><br>Thanks for the &quot;heads-up&quot; about how bad their<br>exhaust system is. I have a 2002 Dodge CTD which<br>I am getting ready to put a new 4&quot; system on, and<br>after seeing what you have been through I DEFINITELY<br>won't buy the &quot;Rip Rook&quot; System.<br><br>I only hope you get all your problems worked out! <br><br>-------<br>John_P

 

If they were a little closer......remember what Jim Carrey did to that mechanic on the Mask? (exhaust up the corn hole)

 

Ryan:<br><br>Yeah, I remember........sounds like a good idea!! ;D<br><br>------<br>John_P

 

[quote author=John_P link=board=5;threadid=12498;start=0#118636 date=1048214526]<br>after seeing what you have been through I DEFINITELY<br>won't buy the &quot;Rip Rook&quot; System.<br>[/quote]<br><br>Keep in mind that Rip's system has had a lot of really good feedback, largely due to the fact that he has good customer service and actually provides guidance and DIRECTIONS with his system. My gripes are primarily with the customer service at Big Exhaust.