I bought a 2004 Ranger XLT 4.0L with a good bit of aftermarket work. Can anyone recommend a good set of exhaust pipes, and any additional work beyond a suspension lift? New to owning a ranger.

 

What are you looking for as a result?

More low end or more top end power?

Exhaust systems don't add power, they move when you get the power.
Factory exhaust is tuned for mid-band power.
If you use an exhaust made for low-end power then you lose some top-end power.
And visa versa.
There are aftermarket Cat converters that improve the sound of the exhaust system.

Make sure any headers or pipes have the O2 sensor bung holes added, they come either way, so if ordering online make sure to get the O2 versions.


If you do some slow "crawling" in the summer or want to free up a some horse power, converting to an electric fan and removing the belt driven fan is a good project.
Also good for colder climates, keeps the engine warmer on cold days since e-fan is not blowing cold air across the engine all the time like a belt driven fan will.
And good for water crossings, don't have that belt driven fan throwing water everywhere under the hood, lol.

 

yea im a very cold dry climate with lots of snow. I dont know. what is the difference between top end and low end power? Its a factory exhaust but the pipes past the muffler are missing

 

Got pictures of the truck?

EDIT: Ah, I had a feeling it was Aaron's truck

 

My ranger, lol

Personally, I'd check out local Anchorage shops and get quotes
https://www.google.com/search?q=anch...sm=91&ie=UTF-8

Don't go to that place downtown though (with all the wheels in the window). They suck.

I forgot to give you my "Haynes Manual" but you should buy one of these. They give details on most every repair on a Ranger and are very important to learning how to do stuff yourself.


Low end power vs high end power is basically how much power your vehicle creates at what RPM. The graph below is some random generic graph showing how much horsepower(BPH) and torque(LB-FT) comes out of the engine at what RPM



None the less, personally I'd just go for a good sounding exhaust.

 

If you buy an exhaust kit (companies like Borla, Gibson, or others sold at JC Whitney Auto Parts & Auto Accessories - Car, Truck, Jeep, Motorcycle, VW, RV & ATV - Aftermarket Parts & Accessories or www.summitracing.com) you will have an exhaust that sits 3 inches lower than the body (because of the body lift). So you will have to take it to a shop and they will put in a little section of pipe to rise the exhaust 3 inches.


Personally, I was going to do this.


Affordable, quite loud and its about functionality over looks. If you get an exhaust that exists behind the rear tire it will sound better but also cost more $$.

 

is that my exhaust? lol it looks like my truck


I'd get something like pictured above. Like i said, I think thats mine. It doesn't get in the way, sounds good, and you don't have to worry about it at all aside your normal washing of the truck. No tips to polish or anything


Oh yeah, welcome to the forum. You bought a good truck from a good dude

 

Yah haha I somehow remembered that you had a pic of your exhaust in your thread. Thanks.

*edit* few pics I have






That's the last for me. Any pics will have to be from him from now on hah.

 

I used a Flo-Pro muffler been quite happy with it. Didn't affect the power too much but id guarantee its the best sounding muffler you can get on a V6 theres a youtube video of one on a ranger if you google it.

 

Never heard a flopro, but I'd be damned surprised if it sounded better than an mbrp. I have mine straight piped right now and i love it. But i do have an mbrp exhaust and it's damn nice.

 

I have a flow pro super V on mine...single in, dual out. Sounds great. I can't "guarantee" its the best sounding muffler on a Ranger, but I like mine.

 

Cant go wrong with a magnaflow muffler.

 

This is all good advice. I'm going to look into these, soon as I get some free time

 

yeah the Flo-PRo is a canadian brand they are not huge in the market but they are specifically designed to get a nice beefy sound out of the v6 motors. Mine drones like my grandfathers 5.4 at low RPMS it does get kindy whiney up around 4000 rpms but its been great so far way better than most i have heard.