2001 Toyota Tacoma Muffler Exhaust Dilemma

Dear Friends .... Need some assistance/advice in what to replace my 2001 Toyota Tacoma - 2 dr x-cab - 4wd - 2.7L engine. Would like to keep this a stock system from the catalytic converter on back. Preferable SS muffler & exhaust system in one piece.

So far all I've been able to come across is a aFe Performance SS exhaust kit. 49-46004. Noise level is a factor when considering.

Toyota dealership mentioned a complete oem for near $800 but could not tell me if it is SS with one year warranty.

Advance Auto lists - cat-back exhaust 4946004 ss? Also a American Thunder Kit - 10460308 - 817519??

Would prefer a SS exhsust system & SS muffler to replace the original. BTW the repair shop has replaced 2 aluminized exhaust systems in the last 3 years when the original got a hole in muffler. I presume the Toyota installed a SS on the vehicle when it was new?

Sorry this SC has made this a lengthy ordeal for Our Forum. Any input/assistance/advice & maybe where I can shop around to purchase a SS system would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much! SP - USAF 62-66

 

I would stop by a good muffler shop and see what they suggest. I wanted to keep mine stock at first, until I saw the prices. Drove away with an $80 turbo...

 

SS is not cheap but if you are keeping your Tacoma a long time, it could pay for itself. What have you paid so far for the exhaust work?

Borla make a very nice setup for cat back , Magnaflow and flowmaster are also options.

 

I like my Walker Exhaust Products all I use any More .

Depending where you live even the Stainless breaks down due to thermal cycling and winter chemicals .

 

Bosal 295-177 1pc Exhaust Silencer available from Amazon is an exact fit. Not stainless but for $215 it's not a bad choice. Slightly louder than OEM but not raspy.

 

My Flowmaster muffler is about 9 years old, still very solid. I live on the Atlantic Ocean is an area with salt air and plenty of road salt. Regular metal mufflers last a year or 2 and untreated Tacoma frames have rusted out in 5 years.

Stainless is used on boats in salt water so it lasts forever. Stainless OEM exhaust systems usually outlast the car. I’ve had cars with 350,000kms and 10+ years age with completely original exhaust. The regular metal exhaust pipes and mufflers don’t last here at all.

 

agreed, for the price the Walker Quietflow SS is easy to install and change if needed.

Bosal was my 2nd choice and from what I hear is decent for the 2.7Ls

 

We could go back and forth about different grades of stainless steel for hours.

When a vendor sells a product as Stainless Steel How many Consumers are going to spend the money to find out just what grade stainless it is.

Given enough time it fails most times in the Heat Effected Zone of the weld while the majority of the system is just fine.

Consumer goes to shop gets told they need new exhaust till next time.

 

The repair shop initially replaced it with an aluminized system ( lasted a year ) next inspection replaced it with better unit ( lasted 2 years ) will be due another for inspection. Costs probably what an SS would be today.

In the process of checking out the names you posted to see what is available in ss in a quiet tone or original tone. I've had and plan to keep the Tacoma if it does'nt rust out before I do. The names & types mentioned will help. Thank U. SP

 

I'll give the Walker exhaust products a call and see where that goes. Sounds promising! SP

 

Nice to have a name to look into. That has been also my experience here in Pa. concerning the rust & corrosion. Toyota recalled my 99 toyota for that reason. 2001 is holding up fairly well as toyota recalled that to treat the frame. Thanks for posting. I'll see what I can do. SP

 

Nice photo. Frame & hardware also looks good! Thanks for taking the time to share as I wouldn't of thought of the addition.

 

Thanks, frame and hardware were replaced last year under the frame campaign, just slipped under the expiration date. Dealer replaced the exhaust which I supplied for no charge.
Cannot say enough about Krause Toyota for taking care of everything.

 

My 2004 has the original OEM stainless exhaust. My friend owns a Muffler Shop, and put my truck on the lift.
He said it's seeing it's age, but it's still in good shape. Replace it when it needs replaced, he said. I'm good with that.

Regarding Stainless systems. If it's TIG welded, the welds do not rust out from heat.

If said system is built piece-by-piece, while your truck is on the lift, shops can not TIG weld the pieces "correctly" with a vehicle up in the air.
They use the same wire that's on the machine for an every day exhaust job. That's why the joints fail.

 

I've got 1 machine set up permanently for stainless MIG welding. Just takes a bit of practice and the correct gas and wire to weld stainless juuuuuust fine with a MIG. And no, the welds don't fail.

 

I just replaced my stock muffler, rear O2 sensor, all pipe gaskets and hardware with OEM. I also just replaced my headers a few weeks ago... seems my whole exhaust system died at once (its was 20 years old).

Ordered everything online so saved some money but it was still semi expensive. I started to swap things out myself then realized the nut condition was beyond my tool set. My local muffler swapped everything out for $150. I tend to replace everything with OEM... expensive yes but it seems to last and some things on Tacomas are picky (O2 sensors, MAFs, Cats, etc).

 

non-serviceable