MBRP exhaust JUST finished install!

[06TWO50Diesel]

I'm SOOOOOOO happy with it. It's not louder than stock by much, muffler delete pipe and kept the stock cat (NJ sucks), probably going to get the cat delete pipe. Seeing how simple it all was, the pipe is a simple switch. A noticeable sound difference is at WOT. Deffinetely noticable and it's day 1 of install. I give it 2 weeks and it'll be broken in completely. BUT the install was not too bad. I have some mechanical skill, so nothing stumped me, and didn't use any more than hand tools, besides a saw-zaw. Flat backed in a garage. MBRP had decent directions with pictures where needed. These were pretty helpful. 6/10 on the directions. Have seen better.
::tools::
11mm socket for turbo flange.
15mm socket for all nuts on the rest of stock system, and new install.
16mm for exhaust tip. (on my 6" slant cut, rolled edge, MBRP)
6" extension to reach the turbo flange.
Saw-zaw to cut the old exhaust and trim down mid pipe if you own any truck other then a crew cab with long bed. If you do, fortunately no cutting required.
Pry bar to persuade the down pipe off turbo.
Hammer... extra persuasion for tough bolts or down pipe prying.
::tips and things I learned::
-PB blast (er WD40) every bolt as suggested. It'll help out in the end.
-Drop the spare. It's out of the way. Simple to do, and is useful later on during the install of the new pipe.
-When removing the old exhaust from the rubber hangers, throw some WD40 to lube it up, it'll help sliding.
-Cut exhaust (on 05-07 models) right behind rear axle to remove with ease. Trying to maneuver it all around isn't worth the time. Just cut the sucker, it's going to the scrap yard anyway.
-Down pipe removal- loosen clamp ALL the way until it can "spring" open, and unclamp it that way. It'll hold on till the last fight if not.
-Cut down pipe right past tranny bracket underneath cab as suggested. It'll help wiggling it out. It's NOT easy getting out, but stick with it. Use a good amount of PB on the flange behind the turbo and it'll slide off easier than straight metal to metal.
-To get new downpipe on, get your buddy (who i'm thinking is already helping), have him push the top half up towards the turbo, grab the flange and yank the sucker into place. It took me 45 seconds AT MOST to get it into place. Begin to tighten the old flange clamp, but don't snug too tight.
-Start assembling all other clamps and pipes according to diagram. Tighten them, but not fully because some moving around is needed.
-Once all in place, double check ALL nuts and tighten down fully. Check again. Okay... again.
-A tip from my personal notes; get a new/very clean terry cloth rag and whipe the new stainless piping of ALL fingerprints. Some of you might already know this, but any finger prints left on the piping will be "branded" into permanent rememberance.

Hope those tips help someone in need.

It looks AMAZING. I'll throw some pics up in the garage soon. I'm off to Michigan to pick up a buddies new truck. He got a tundra... yeah. i know.
But next week the rig and I are taking a road trip to New Orleans to help build a new church! Can't wait!


-nate

[stump0331]

good write up, glad it slid in for ya