Exhaust Leak, Header Options

Hey guys, first post here. I recently bought an ‘03 access cab with the 4.7. I believe the truck has an exhaust leak so I’ve been looking at some aftermarket headers. Most threads I looked through could be summed up by saying “long tubes or bust”. Looks like I missed the boat on long tubes by a couple years though. So I guess my options are basically JBA or Doug Thorley short tubes, or just replace with stock manifolds. Are the short tubes at all worth the headache of installation or would I be better off staying stock? Any advice on which direction I should go (or if anyone knows where to find a nice set of long tubes) would be greatly appreciated.

 

I did long tubes and dual exhaust a little over a year ago. power increase is real, around 1.3 seconds off 0-60.
however if I could go back I'd probably just replace the stock manifolds. Mainly due to exhaust note/drone when I'm towing the camper.

It was enough of a pain just doing long tubes that I personally wouldn't want to mess with the extra bulk of shorty's,

YMMV

 

Thanks for your input! I didn’t realize shorty’s would be more difficult to install than long tubes. Also I don’t mind some extra noise, my previous vehicle was a 7.3 Ford Diesel that I had to shut off at drive-thrus. I can barely hear this truck running with my radio on at medium volume.

 

I don't think anyone makes long tubes anymore sadly.

Have you inspected or replaced your steering shaft seal yet? A lot of us have done that and it helps reduce that exhaust tick considerably.


See this thread.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-steering-shaft-seal.48664/

If you are still dead set on replacing your manifolds I would go with short tubes. The job sucks either way but you might as well get something out of it. The gains aren't huge but better than stock manifolds.

 

I don't have much to add other than, I got the Doug Thorley headers, they are very nice, and I paid a custom exhaust shop to install them because there was no f'ing way I'm attempting that job in my driveway.

 

I installed jba short. No increase in noise vs stock. fixed my exhaust leak.

Install wasn’t as bad as everyone makes it seem. It’s no harder than swapping for stock manifold.

Unbolting the motor mount to raise and lower the engine a few inches helped a bit

 

Installing headers is a lot easier if you remove the engine mount from whichever side you're working on.

You can accomplish this by either the accross-the-fender engine support stand (around $80-100 from Scamazon and Hobo Freight), or you can support the oil pan flange on the side of the engine you're working on with a jack and a 2x4 piece of wood.

I did long tubes but swapping in shortys would be on par, difficulty wise, as changing factory manifolds. The biggest power booster on these engines come from changing the manifolds to a better tuned, better flowing piece.

Two birds one stone. If your steering shaft grommet isn't the culprit, you can get more power and get rid of the cracked manifolds.

Use factory studs and a good MLS manifold gasket with new headers to prevent leaks.

 

How long ago was that and what did they charge? Curious if this could be an option for me

 

Thanks for the advice! Is there a good thread or youtube video with step-by-step instructions for removal and install?

 

There is. https://youtu.be/LKy_y5x-pmM

There's more too. Just search "Toyota 2uz header install".

 

2 and 1/2 years ago. $900 covered about 8 to 10 hours of labor, new studs and locking nuts and welding the new lower header flanges, new spintech muffler and dual exhaust from the muffler out the back.