best way to chop exhaust?

Sound may change a little. I've got a TRD muffler on mine and it is SUPER quiet compared to other TRD muffler equipped Tacomas I hear driving around. Other than that, don't expect any performance change (good or bad) or any issues with smog or anything else. The engine doesn't really care how long the exhaust is. Sure, on race cars/motors you can get into some important differences in things like intake and header lengths, even exhaust length to an extent. But with a mass produced vehicle like this, taking some length out of an already very long exhaust... the difference is negligible.

 

Just chopped mine off yesterday and drove around town and on the hwy. Zero issues and no smells or Co2 in the cab. I put a few o2 sensors and pads in the cab for "scientific" reasons, and no problems. Spare tire is warmish, I have a 285/75r16, but it's no where near hot enough to cause a problem. Does sound a bit louder due to the exhaust being aimed at the deck. But not like it's got an after market muffler.

 

Im also thinkin of cutting my exhaust - like chopping it higher, kind of like option #2. I've already removed my spare tire anyway, so I wonder if anyone has had issues with exhaust gases building up after doing something similar. Thanks!

 

I chopped mine just beyond the curve so it would still be downward, but hidden and higher clearance

Idea is let air flow exhaust gas away, not melt leaf hanger bushings, etc

 

Mine has been cut after the turn down over the axle since 2016 ish without issue. I'm running long tube headers so the ecause smells a bit but I can't smell it in my GFC when idling or in the cab of the truck. I have a carbon monoxide detector in the bed and it has never gone off.

 

I am at a loss as to why everyone thinks gasses are going to build up.
-- If you're moving at all, the gasses won't stagnate under there.
-- If you're stopped or creeping, a simple light breeze tail wind can move your exhaust gasses back under the bed even from a full stock exhaust.
-- The vents in the cab rear wall are outflow direction, won't let air in (that comes from under the windshield).

-- If you're creeping and have a very short exhaust, the gasses may not go anywhere and stay under the truck. Open drvr & pax windows and dilute any fumes making their way to the cab. Turn on your blower. If using ac (while creeping???) close off your recirculation valve; the cab will pressurize then and no outside air/fumes/gas/stink/etc. will enter your bubble.

It is not a big deal. For your own peace of mind, buy a CO detector card from a pilot shop and stick in your cab. (Small aircraft heat the cab from shrouds around the exhaust manifold & pipe because the engines are air-cooled (no water jackets). If either pipe or mani crack ever so slightly, pure exhaust is ducted into the aircraft cockpit and CO poisoning becomes a serious threat. Made worse at altitude.)

 

what kind of carbon monoxide detector did you use?

 

It isn't noticeable. The regulations require the exhaust to clear only the cab. That's why the 4th gen Trailhunter dumps the exhaust in front of the axle as OEM design.

 

And most airliners use bleed air from the engine to heat and pressurize the cabin. That's the automotive equivalent of pulling air from the intake manifold.

 

Closer still to pulling air from the turbocharger. 8th stage bleed air is about 800*F.

 

$5 from Sporty's Pilot Shop.