Can You Drive A Truck Without A Muffler?
Muffler delete is becoming a trend among truck enthusiasts that it made me wonder, can you drive a truck without a muffler?
There are city ordinances giving penalties to owners who drive a truck without a muffler, creating exhaust noise going above the prescribed level of 95 dbA. But despite this regulation, it seems like some truck owners still drive without a muffler.
So, are there any dangers when you drive a truck without a muffler? Also, what are the alternatives to get that thrilling loud sound without the risk of driving without a muffler?
Thrills and Dangers of Driving a Truck Without a Muffler
While driving without a muffler can be an exciting ride, a muffler delete system (or simply removing the mufflers on your truck) will certainly pose some danger. So, to be fair, we’ve listed the thrills and dangers that come with driving a truck without a muffler.
Thrills
- Gripping Sound. Without a muffler restricting the hot gases from escaping the exhaust system, your truck will certainly produce a louder and more aggressive exhaust sound. Some enthusiast drivers find this addictive as the sound gets better the deeper you bury the pedal.
- Increased Horsepower. Removing the mufflers will increase the exhaust flow of the engine, thus resulting in increased horsepower. However, this is only favorable to older truck models built 15-20 years ago because of their more restrictive mufflers.
- Sleek Appearance. The view from the rear of the truck would look clean without the muffler hanging below the rear bumper. As a result, your truck will have a sleek, more attractive appearance.
- Light Weight. By removing the mufflers, you can shed more than 25 lbs extra weight from your truck. With this weight removed from the body, the truck’s engine power will significantly get stronger.
- Cheaper Cost. Some owners get muffler mods or replace it with a straight pipe. But why pay to replace the entire line if you can achieve the same thrills just by removing the muffler?
Dangers
- Poor Engine Performance. Again, removing the mufflers will only be beneficial for older trucks with restrictive mufflers. On the other hand, cutting off or removing the muffler of a modern truck will make the ECU and exhaust sensors of the engine go wild. This will result in poor engine performance and idling.
- Build-up of Gunk and Dirt. Driving without a muffler will definitely leave a ton of gunk and dirt on the exhaust. The worst part of it is that those gunk may be strong enough to mess with the paint in the truck. As a result, you will need extra care and do more work in cleaning as you might take the paint off of your truck if you’re not careful.
- Fumes Infiltration. With the muffler removed, the exhaust is now free to collect under the vehicle and work its way into the passenger compartment. That will result in carbon monoxide infiltration-tasteless, colorless, and odorless, but deadly when inhaled. So, be sure to keep your windows at least partly open, especially on long drives.
- Excessive Noise. While the popping backfiring noises are ear candies for enthusiast drivers, not everyone in your neighborhood would appreciate it. Also, driving at normal speeds will give you a noticeable droning noise. This noise will get so bad, it will start to get annoying during long drives.
- Penalty. Most importantly, before driving a truck without a muffler, be sure to learn the city ordinance about the prescribed level of decibels to avoid being penalized for noise violations.
Instead of removing the mufflers altogether, why not purchase a set of aftermarket exhaust systems from a reputable manufacturer? There are three main types available: header-back, cat-back, and axle-back. Check out if which of these systems best suit your truck.
Alternatively, you can install an after-market Muffler Delete from Kyostar to reduce any bad effects while still achieving the look.
Aftermarket Exhaust Systems
- Header-Back. It replaces everything from the header collector to the tailpipes. This change allows you to enlarge the diameter of your entire exhaust system, hence, a greater exhaust gas volume will flow. However, since you’re replacing almost the entire exhaust system, this is the most expensive and the toughest to install among cat-back and axle-back exhaust systems. Check this Header Back System out for large vehicles.
- Cat-Back. This is a relatively simple modification that will free up your exhaust gas flow by replacing exhaust components from the catalytic converter back. With the freer exhaust flow, your engine will operate more efficiently, resulting in improved fuel economy. This cat-back exhaust system also produces a more aggressive exhaust note because it retains the use of the stock catalytic converters. This Flowmaster Cat-Back System is great for achieving a side exit look.
- Axle-Back. This exhaust system includes all the components from the rear axle to the exhaust tip. If you choose a well-designed system, it will provide power gains over the stock exhaust for a lower price compared to cat-back or header-back systems. This is also easier to install and delivers the performance exhaust sound you’re looking for. Check this clean, basic, simple set up for Wrangler JR for Axle-Back Exhaust Kit.
With these high-quality aftermarket exhaust systems, your truck will sound better and produce more horsepower minus the risk of driving without a muffler.
Fixing a Truck Muffler Without Using Power Tools
If you drive your truck daily, leave it alone and let the mufflers do their job. But what if your truck’s mufflers fell off while you’re driving? What can you do for a quick fix?
Step 1. Prepare your tools.
- Wheel ramps or axle stands. Get these high quality Steel Jack Stands for better stability.
- Eye protection. Wear these NoCry Over-Glasses Safety Glasses before making any repairs.
- Metal snips.
- Jubilee clips
- Flat-head screwdriver from Crescent
- Assorted pliers and wrenches from Crescent
- Exhaust repair paste
- Empty tin can
Step 2. Find the Problem.
Be extra careful on this step. Move your hand along the sides of the exhaust to feel the breeze coming out from the holes. Just don’t touch it ’cause the exhaust pipe gets a lot hotter than you think.
Step 3. Inside Out.
- If the problem is on the inside, use snips to roll up the tin can to fit into the exhaust. Make sure you use Craftsman Aviation snips for straight edges.
- Slid it into the steadier part of the exhaust with only 1cm sticking out.
- Push the other part of the exhaust into the other opening of the rolled can, shuffling it slowly with a wide-open plumber’s wrench.
Step 4. Fix-It Up.
- Put on jubilee clip around the exhaust’s loose section, tighten it with a second clip and then put it around the fixed section.
- Smear the joint with a generous amount of exhaust fixing paste and let it set.
- Once the paste is set, snip off the loose ends of jubilee clips.
Step 5. Visit Your Mechanic ASAP
These steps are just a first-aid repair for your truck’s mufflers. This is not a long-lasting repair, so before you drive your truck, let a professional fix it as soon as possible to prevent any further damage.
Related Questions
How do mufflers and exhaust systems affect my gas mileage?
Mufflers and exhaust systems are produced to improve gas mileage. Exhaust systems typically improve power by 2-5%.
For instance, adding 3% exhaust power to a truck with 16mpg will improve the fuel economy power by 3%. As a result, the gas mileage will improve by 0.5mpg. That may not sound much, but if you pay $3 for a gallon of gas and you drive your truck 15,000 miles a year, you could save $85 on gas in a year.
How much is the fine when you drive a truck without a muffler?
Under the POEO (Noise Control) Regulation 2017, the maximum on-the-spot fines are $600 for an individual and $1200 for a corporation. If these fines are transferred to the court or you’re a repeat offender, the maximum court penalties are $16,500 for individuals and $33,000 for corporations