Starter replacement with long tubes

My starter finally shit the bed at 240k after I gave it a good mud bath 2 weeks ago. I know the starter can be changed without pulling the stock manifold off, but will I need to pull my long tube off to get it out? To be fair I haven’t looked at it much yet, haven’t built up the energy to pull my skids off to get a good look.

 

Might be able to help if ya let me hear it . Honestly though I wouldn’t know. I would think that if they are in the same place as stock then it wouldn’t matter, but they may be wider so I dunno.

 

haha, I'm not even sure if I can post a video without it being on youtube. I have some on my IG r00ster_27

I've decided I'm just going to wing the starter, watched a couple of videos and read some threads so I have some ideas to try before pulling the manifold off, hopefully they work for me.

 

The issue with stock exhaust for me was the frame was in the way, and it was much easier to remove the single nut for the engine mount, Jack the engine up about 2" and slide the starter out. I suggest doing that approach if possible, removing the exhaust is a pain in the ass and it's literally one nut to let the engine rotate up and let the starter pull out.

 

This was going to be my first choice, followed by pulling the passenger axle out, then pulling the exhaust off.