74 Cj 5 Exhaust

Hey guys, I have a 74 CJ 5 that I picked up last week. I need to fix the exhasut on it as there isnt one there. It has the part from the manifold down past the turn, but it has been ripped off after that. I have seen the other pieces online from various retailers. Have you had any luck with these kits or is it better to take it to a exhaust shop and have them fit the system? Thanks guys.

 

The Walker pieces are ok - I've used them before. A system from your local muffler shop will probably last longer, depending on the quality of pipe they use. Usually you'll get a 100% welded system if you go to a shop. This is durable, but you can't replace the pieces yourself without a welder.

 

Thanks Tim, it looks like my FLAPS has the complete Walker system for around 160 bucks. I will check with muffler shops in the area, but I bet they are quite a bit more expensive than that.

 

You may be surprised at how affordable a custom fitted exhaust can be. I had a custom made cat-back with magna-flow muffler done on my 05 LJ Rubicon,tucked up nice and tight, for $150.

On my 74, I went with the walker stuff, complete front to back, from rock auto. I forget now how much I paid for the parts. I had to install it lying on my back in the garage and it is not my best work. Sound is nice from the stock walker muffler but it would fit better and not rub on the gas tank flange and frame if I could get it up on a rack and wrassle it into position better while standing up.

Get some quotes, it may be worth it to not have to fight with it.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I will call around and get some quotes.

 

For reference...my quotes for a complete exhaust, including FM Delta Flow 50 muffler, without a CAT, from the stock V8 manifolds was $400 + 10%.

 

Haven't been to a muffler shop in years, but my dad used to take his Jeep J-truck to a local muffler shop. They made their own glasspacks and had a lifetime guarantee. A long dual exhaust with glasspacks on an AMC 360 sounded wicked back in the day. The J-truck was long enough that the exhaust note was fairly mellow by the time it exited. That place was pretty cheap 30 years ago, but I don't have any idea today what a mufffler shop charges. The biggest problem I always have is getting the vehicle to the shop to have the new exhaust fitted if you don't have any exhaust at all. Running open headers/manifolds even a few miles to the shop can be deafening (and illegal).

On my CJ5 I'm planning to go with the Walker pieces but maybe splurge on a welded stainless steel muffler.

 

I am about to get a quote for a "return to stock" exhaust with cat and muffler coming from stock manifolds for my '75. I will post up soon.

 

I recall the complete factory-like system for my J-10 was about $250 from a muffler shop. Lifetime guarantee on the pipe, 5 years (?) on the muffler. They bent the pipes and welded the joints. It's been more than 5 years, and it's still solid.

I recall they removed the rusty studs from the exhaust manifold with a cutting torch - very impressive. Some heat, and one pop with the 02 and they were blasted out.

 

I just had mine done, 2.25 pipe, huge lowmaster muffler that just barely fits (a pre-owned unit that a customer had installed, and the customers wife promptly had uninstalled) manifold to tailpipe exciting the rear. The final tally with muffler was $250. In my experience, a built exhaust will last a very long time, at least here on the left coast.

 

I wonder if the price difference has to do with mine being a "Y" pipe up front? $400 to $250 is too much difference. Flowmaster's are only about $80 of my price.