Feedback wanted re: T-case exhaust reroutes

Going to be doing an exhaust re-route on Monday for new transfer case skid plates. Wanted to get some feedback from other 2nd gen'ers who have done this mod to see what people think after running certain configurations for a long time. I've searched and all I can find are pictures of the re-routes themselves (BTW thanks to everyone who shared those so we can see ideas), but I can't find anyone saying anything bad after doing it which leads me to think I'm overanalyzing.

For those who re-routed underneath the t-case and run skid plates:

1. Do you feel there is enough clearance between the exhaust and skid plate?
2. Have you had any interference issues from exhaust moving and banging/clanking the skid?
3. If you have painted/powdercoated skids did it accelerate the finish deterioration? (I'd imagine it would, but what I mean is did it accelerate to a point of being absurd?)
4. For people in states with road salt, do you see any accelerated metal disintegration of the skid plate due to the exhaust heat?

For those who re-routed around / behind the t-case and run skids:

1. Did you have any issues with exhaust heat melting the plastic actuator box thingy or anything else on the undercarriage that you didn't want to get exposed to heat?
2. Did you have any issues with the forward-most U joint prematurely failing, grease leaking out, or requiring more frequent greasing due to the heat?
3. Any other negatives you can think of for this path versus routing under the t-case?

Thanks in advance for any commentary on the subject!

 

Good question! Following.

 

Got mine done at an exhaust shop that had done a lot of the re-routes (AA performance muffler, Englewood Colorado). He had this process so dialed I was only there for 30-40 minutes from the moment I walked in the door, to the moment I was driving away.

1. Had some noise against the heat shield when I left, no issues after 100 miles
2. No interference issues, it was plenty of clearance for the flat skids. (probably about 1"
3. Skids are too new to tell if there are issues (powdercoated RCI skids)
4. no enough miles on mine to tell yet


Having your corner Meinieke do this level of re-route is probably not a good idea.

 

1. No.
2. No.
3. No.

 

I had mine routed just under the tcase output flange. Big mistake. I've gone through 2 u-joints and flange and yoke replacement in the past 6 months due to exhaust heat. Since then I recently had rerouted a little lower to keep the heat away from it. Driveshaft is removed to have a new flange and yoke installed.

 

Here is a whole thread of pictures from people who went to the one shop.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-exhaust-reroute.569617/

 

Looks so solid, this is helpful. The other thread is mostly 3rd gens with a little bit different exhaust. Was showing those pics to the local muffler guy and he kept saying the section is different on the passenger side for 3rd gens.

 

I've recommended several others in the area go to this shop after they did mine.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fort-worth-exhaust-reroute.539294/

Plenty of clearance, no noise, no banging, no interference, no issue with the skid plates.