Doug Thorely Pipe Bomb Y-Pipe with BudBuild Skids - Will It Fit?

I am seriously considering getting a Doug Thorely Pipe Bomb y-pipe. The Pipe Bomb looks a little weird because it goes way back and around the transfer case, but it's the only one I could find that maintains my ground clearance and looks like it will work with my BudBuilt skid plates. I had the exhaust relocated by a muffler shop to get rid of the low hanging crossover and to clear my skids, but I'm not happy with the results.



If anyone has pictures of a Pipe Bomb installed I would be grateful to see them. even better, if you are running one with BudBuilt skids and can confirm that it all fits, I will order the y-pipe and get it installed.

Thanks!

 

Never mind...it's not going to fit. Moving on to a custom Y-pipe.

 

Will the urd 4x4 pipe not work?

 

Nope. The one they show on the website is actually for a 2WD, and the crossover won't clear the transfer case. The 4WD version, shown below, goes under the oil pan and won't work with a skid plate.

 

I went through this same thought process 4 years ago and ended up getting some custom pipe welded in after the cats. Good to hear I didn't miss out on any new products to solve the problem.

 

Why was custom not your first choice to begin with? Why spend 600 bucks on these aftermarket pieces when an exhaust shop can hook you up for 100 bucks

 

Because I don't like to let other people work on my truck, and I don't weld. It's getting harder and harder to find good, honest shops. I don't currently live in the city where I grew up and haven't found one here. I also like easy reversibility because we may move to another state in the next few years, and depending on emission inspection requirements a custom welded system may be problematic.

I looked all over the place and found nothing bolt-on that would retain the rear cats. So I did as you suggest and went to the local muffler shop where I get my tires. They relocated the pipe for $200, but it was not well engineered and the welds were crappy. After a few months it started leaking so I took it back. New management with no concern for customer service or loyalty. Two fuck-ups don't make things right, so I wasn't going trust my truck to these guys again. I should have trusted my gut.

I envy you if you have have a good shop that you can trust. I had another muffler shop touch up the welds for $25 as a temporary measure, and started looking for bolt-on options again. This time I decided that I could give up the rear cats for an aftermarket y-pipe. If I could find one to fit with my skids I would install it with a simple turn down system. I would keep the messed up stuff that's on there now - rear cats welded to muffler shop modifications and shortened cat-back system - and swap it all back on if an inspection was necessary requiring the rear cats. It works, it's just crappy and won't last if left alone.

So I still need a permanent solution. I'm looking for anything that will fit with my skids, but I'm not having any luck. I'm back to looking at custom solutions. I found a fabrication shop in town that does high end hot rod exhaust and turbo plumbing, and has good internet reviews. We've exchanged emails and it sounds like a good stainless, tig welded y-pipe from the rear cats to the collector will be $500-$600. The $100 job you speak of is not good enough for me, so it's $600 for custom, or $600 for a bolt-on system.

 

Would you be willing to share some pics?

 

Why most certainly