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Any aftermarket exhaust available for the WL yet?

Trailrated

Well-known member
Afe dropped the pice to $1103 and i just ordered…. Now i will need to find the time to install!
It's interesting the price has been moving quite a bit in the last few weeks between 1300 and 1100. Did they include shipping with yours?
 

Nickrt

Well-known member
But a long leadtime…

“We anticipate the 49-38100 Vulcan Series 2-1/4 IN to 2-1/2 IN 304 Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust System to be available by mid-April.”
 

Trailrated

Well-known member
Also, I changed my mind...

I do think this exhaust adds power. I'm not sure how much, but there is now a noticeable difference in power at all speeds and the acceleration is definitely better.

At first, I could tell it was running a bit rough but now the ECU seems to have adjusted (I think) and its smoother with more power. I'm not winning any 1/4 mile runs but I'm really happy with the sound and the power bump is appreciated.

Perhaps it's the Air intake and exhaust combined? Overall good stuff.
 

Nickrt

Well-known member
Will try that tomorrow.

on the CAI are you running with the “plug” installled or removed. According to the instructions it is a bit louder when not installed, allows more airflow but also allows warmer air into the intake..
 

Nickrt

Well-known member
Calling them didnt make a difference and the price is back up to $1300 now. Told me that they are made to order….
 

Trailrated

Well-known member
Will try that tomorrow.

on the CAI are you running with the “plug” installled or removed. According to the instructions it is a bit louder when not installed, allows more airflow but also allows warmer air into the intake..
Plug is in.
 

Nickrt

Well-known member
Price dropped again to $1038! Still out of stock - bet they are trying to sell enough to set up their next production run.
 

Nickrt

Well-known member
Installed the AFE exhaust yesterday. Well made and lined up perfectly. AFE's disassembly instructions left something to be desired though... With some help from a competitor's site and a bit of brute force/leverage I was able to remove the stock exhaust. Seems that Jeep has gone away from the bolted interface at the cat pipe and went with a slip fit. After 20,000 mikes and two winters this interface didn't want to separate. Below is my brief writeup on how I installed the AFE exhaust. I have to say that it sounds great though I have only driven her around teh block to get a sense. From inside it is quieter than my 2017 Mustang (convertible) Borla touring but louder then my last 5.7 Durango RT. Likely quieter than the tow n' go package on the newer version but not really sure. Prior to installation I has just the AFE CAI which allows you to hear the engine itself. Now with the exhaust all I hear is the exhaust!

Here is my write-up - hope it helps:

Tools used:
  1. 15mm closed end wrench
  2. 15mm deep well socket
  3. 13mm socket with a 6" extension (i used a deep well but either works)
  4. 3/8" ratchet wrench - also used a battery powered impact wrench
  5. Rubber/Plastic mallet
  6. Hammer
  7. Penetrating oil
  8. Floor jack and jackstands
  9. Cardboard to place under new and OEM exhaust
  10. Knife to cut off bubble wrap from new exhaust
Instructions:
  1. (Read instructions prior to installation.) It is recommended to not fully tighten the exhaust until it has been fully installed. Leave loose for adjustability. (I didn't tighten the clamps at all until all pipes were installed)
  2. Make provisions should your model have a rear liftgate that opens with motion under the vehicle! I had the door to my garage closed for a while while I worked under the jeep and had to catch the door before it opened into the garage door.
  3. Secure vehicle on jack stands (refer to your manual for specified jack stand positions). I just used the air suspension to lift to the highest position and placed jackstands under the frame just in case.
  4. Spray threads on O.E. Clamps after the Catalytic Converters with penetrating oil and let soak
  5. Spread out the new parts of the exhaust alongside your vehicle as shown in the diagram provided by AFE.
  6. Secure the stock exhaust with jack/stands. I suggest that you put something under the suitcase that will support its weight (I used a small red (empty) fuel tank) that allows the pipes to drop enough to clear the cat pipes (~3” once separated)
  7. Loosen the (x2) O.E. Clamps after the Catalytic Converters. Uses 15mm wrench – note that nut was facing up hence used a closed end wrench. AFE instructions advise to slide the clamps towards the front of the vehicle – note that mine where brazed/welded to the pipes and cannot be moved.
  8. Soak the interface between the cat pipe and the mid-pipe with penetrating oil. Use a rubber mallet (hammer works too but be careful) to try to loosen the interface allowing the oil to penetrate between the pipes.
  9. Unbolt 4 hangers from body of jeep (13mm) – 2 at suitcase and two in front of rear mufflers. Ensure that you have pulled and rotated the bracket from the body (separate the locator pin from its hole). Note that the rear ones can be removed with wheels on using a 6" extension. Provides a straight shot to the bolt.
  10. Remove grounding strap from rearmost hanger (on muffler hanger). Mine was on driver’s side (and I didn’t see it…) - new one on order...
  11. Slide out the O.E. Exhaust. There is nearly 3” of rearward movement that needs to happen. This was the biggest struggle for me. The pipes would not separate and no amount of banging or pulling seemed to matter. After nearly giving up I ended up jacking up my floor jack in front of the X and behind the suitcase on the stock pipe and used it as a slide hammer pulling it (banging it really) rearward from the back of the jeep repeatedly. This move is at your own risk… (Note I also tried a lever arm behind the rear tire and the exhaust but don't think that helped.)
  12. Once separated from the cat pipe and lowered enough to clear the cat pipes push the exhaust forward to separate the rearmost muffler hangers from the isolators (these are the only ones that I didn’t remove – they are behind and higher than the rear mufflers).
  13. Think at this point I removed the red tank holding the suitcase though I may have done this before the last step.
  14. Gently work the rear mufflers out from the rear bumper cover being careful not to damage the bodywork.
  15. Remove the O.E. Exhaust from under the vehicle and take pictures to insure proper orientation of the hangers.
  16. Remove the hangers from the stock exhaust and install them on your new pipes (that you already laid out next to your jeep). I did this piece by piece as to not mess up the configuration.
  17. Follow AFE’s reinstallation instructions except I slid the pipes over the mating pipes (front to back) and then bolted the hanger, already installed in the pipe, back to the body. Did this piece by piece.
  18. I also left the bubble wrap on until pipe was in place just to protect the exhaust and, in the rear, the body.
 

Nickrt

Well-known member
They just dropped price again - $986

Been playing with my install. Had some (and still may) squeaking which i think was generated from the rear most body hanger making metal to metal contact with the hanger welded to the pipe. Didn’t have all the pipes fully engaged hence the total effective length was a bit long. Exhaust is also a bit close to the rear suspension attachment point. Wedged a piece of wood in there while i readjusted and tightened. Pulled the wood out after torquing the bands - don’t think that it can make contact but will watch. All seems good but will need to give it a few more miles.
 
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