I recently installed a Flo-Tech 2 1/4” dual exhaust, H pipe and Magnaflow mufflers on my K25 and it was a reasonably easy driveway project. Everything came from Summit Racing. The kit uses mandrel bent pipe, so it should flow well. It would be even easier on a 2WD where you don’t have to deal with the transfer case cross member. The Magnaflow mufflers are wide open inside and have no drone in normal driving. They aren’t exactly the ultra low tone I was looking for, but close.
This set of pipes (and most others) comes in multiple parts so you can work the pieces around and get the angles you need to clear everything. Lots of clamps, but it still works well. I dropped the exhaust pipe angle down right near the start of the driveshaft and then used the v-shaped crossover pipe to route the H-pipe under the driveshaft. The pipe flanges on the Magnaflow mufflers were a loose fit on 2 1/4” exhaust pipe, so I ended up switching to band clamps to get a better seal.
Since you are on a budget, this was my cost.
- $183 - dual exhaust pipe set
- $47 - Summit H pipe
- $192 - 2 Magnaflow mufflers
You could leave out the H pipe and use store brand turbo mufflers ($35-$45) to reduce your cost.
Lower gears would also help, and depending on where you live you might be able to find a complete axle swap in the junkyard. 3.73 is probably the lowest ratio you will find in a 1/2 ton axle, but it’s better than the more common 3.07 you might have now. 3/4 ton axles often have 4.10 gears, but then you have to use 8 bolt wheels.
Bruce