Hot exaust problem

[true elkaholic]

I have a 1999 F350 7.3 with large after market exhaust. The temp gauge reads 600-700 is this to hot? my exhaust will melt anything plastic in the bed of the truck. Is the exhaust to hot or mounted to close to the bed. Should i just shield it and if so how.

[Austin G]

Where are you taking the temp from? If your pyrometer is in the manifold that is not very hot.