Well, I've managed to break my second exhaust manifold on the M this weekend. I've either got to find a better way to route the exhaust, or find taller tires so the boulders don't keep taking out the exhaust.
This time I came down on a rock (boulder) on the drivers side ant beoke the opposite side as compared to a year ago April. I didn't come down that hard, but the weight and the shape combined to smah the pipe flat between the rock and the frame, and broke the manifold and ripped the pipe clean off.
Anyone taken the V-8 exhaust up and out rather than down and out? say zoomie style out the side panels?
In this video at about 4:34 you will see/hear when it breaks.
Is it one size fit's all for the zerks that lube the spring hangers and the closed knuckles? What size are they? Am I missing any? If replacing all of them, how many do I need (too lazy to go thru the manuals to count!)
I posted my zerk comment here. I too am concerned about the exhaust routing for my yet to be on the road stock M. There just doesn't seem to be room or place to route thru the chasis and we're stuck with routing it under the running board which is problematic as you've demonstrated.
I looked over the underside, and might be able to snake the exhaust past the Transfercase on the passenger side, and not have to cross the frame trails. Where I was crossing the frame at, just rearward of the front shackle, I had 19" of ground clearance, but have found I'm dragging the frame and cross members at times. I would end up with a different of mufflers, as there is no room to package the HushPower II's inside the frame area. I might also drop the exhaust diameter from 2.25" down to 2" (would 1.75" work?).
If your going where Jeeps go, they have a much shorter chassis length so the M is going to hang up where an 89" or 93" wheel to wheel length is not going to, or minimally so. You didn't mention dragging the front or rear so approach/departure angles must not be an issue - yet. Have you considered a belly pan of some king yet?
I've got a spare M I'm considering bobbing - I figure I can take out about 16" or so from the rear half - can't do anything about the front with the LU4 up there. Did you find that you could tuck your winch (I think you have an electric) up to gain any meaningful approach angle improvement?
Are you going to end of the exhaust just rear of the second member or take it out or all the way back?
Most of the Jeeps have increased their wheelbase to 100", so I'm only 12" longer on WB. I do hang up the front and rear overhangs from time to time, and my modified bumper and winch mount in the front with the 2" receiver was not the best design for clearance.
Yes I've considered a skid plate, but cleaning is an issue then as well, and you have to have notches for the drive shafts, so you loose a lot of it.
If I route them inside the frame, they would end at the cross member in front of the rear axle, and be turned down, which concerns me when I get in deep water.
You could see if you can find a pair of manifolds that dump out the rear end instead of the center. Then you could run the pipes between the floorboards and cross members to vertical stacks behind the running boards. Your feet might get a little warm, but your pipes would be safe.
If center-dump manifolds are all that are available, you may have to go to a custom exhaust place and have them bend pipes to go where you want them to go.
Will,
Great video. I am sorry about your damage though. I think it was the guys fault for telling you to go to starboard instead of to port . Perhaps the addition of one or two more stainless flex joints in the setup may help?
David
HingsingM37
1958 M37B1
1968 M101A1 Trailer
MVPA# 33078
"Do Not Take Counsel of Your Fears"
General George S. Patton Jr.
"Those who pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not".
Thanks. I had a stainless flex joint, and it almost ripped in two. I've for to get a weak point built in and get it up over the frame, it seems 19" of ground clearance isn't enough. Yea, I thought left was the better route for my truck, but the jeeps go right as they have almost tipped over going left.
My manifolds (BB Chevy) route out the rear. I run the exhausts in the inverted u-shaped hangars for the running boards and turn the tailpipes out aft of the running boards. Not an ideal solution, but if you take out the exhaust pipes, you will also take out the running boards.
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. Perhaps the addition of one or two more stainless flex joints in the setup may help?
