What Are Common F-150 Exhaust System Installation Mistakes to Avoid?

Replacing the exhaust on your Ford truck is one of the best things you can do for it. Unfortunately, installing an exhaust system isn't exactly the simplest process. Sure, it's not rocket science, but you need to install the system properly to avoid problems. While you may be in a hurry to slap a new exhaust onto your Ford F-150, stick around for a moment, and read about some of the most common Ford F-150 exhaust system installation mistakes.

The Most Common Ford F-150 Exhaust Installation Mistakes

When installing your shiny new Ford F-150 exhaust system, there are some mistakes you can run into. The good news? Many of them are entirely avoidable if you know what they are. Learn about the most common mistakes below.

Choosing the Wrong Exhaust Size

We have to begin with one that happens before you even install your exhaust system. Unfortunately, you've already made a mistake before the exhaust goes on your vehicle if you bought one that's the wrong size. If the diameter is too thick, it won't be able to fit under your truck, or it might rub or touch other components. For this reason, it's important to choose the right exhaust pipe size. Luckily, our sales techs can help, and you can also filter by year and engine size to ensure that you find the right exhaust system.

Alignment Issues

Alignment is probably one of the most tedious parts of installing an exhaust on your Ford F-150. Whether you’re installing F-150 headers, cat-back systems, or even an axle-back exhaust, you need to make sure everything lines up properly. You don't want the exhaust pipes to be too close to other parts because this can lead to premature wear and annoying metallic droning sounds, even if the exhaust parts aren't fully touching anything. It’s why the exhaust needs to be installed properly, and you don't want headers or similar parts touching the engine or anything else under the hood. Not only will it look bad when you pop the hood, but the chore of replacing wire harnesses if your unwrapped headers keep hitting them…well, let’s just say you won’t be envied. Alignment issues also extend to subtle problems. You don't want your exhaust hanging too low because it can scrape against the pavement, and a misaligned exhaust will look uneven. After all, who wants a dual exhaust system if one pipe is completely out of sync?

Not Checking for Leaks

Once your exhaust system is mounted to your truck, you might think that your work here is done. Sure, you've done most of the hard work, but you need to check for leaks, loose seals, and other potential problems. What's more, you need to frequently check as the exhaust system continues to settle. Make sure everything is tightened to the right specifications, and always use the proper seals. If you smell your exhaust in the cabin or notice odd noises, there's a chance that there is a leak somewhere. While a leak may seem like a slight annoyance, escaping exhaust gases are dangerous in the cabin. Plus, the extra heat can melt wires and harnesses under the hood.

Making Everything Too Tight

You want to secure your exhaust properly, but that doesn't mean you should go overboard with it. If you tighten bolts too much, you can end up straining the exhaust system. The result? Damage to the pipes, bending pipes, and a plethora of other exhaust problems. This also applies to seals, hangers, and other exhaust parts. Yes, you want it to be secure, just make sure you have a torque wrench and that everything is torqued to the specific rating.

Throwing Emissions By the Wayside

Look, your shiny new exhaust may be working properly, but that doesn't mean your computer knows that. If you plan on installing new headers, replacing catalytic converters, or messing with other crucial exhaust components, you may need to replace your oxygen sensors. Now, this isn't the case 100% of the time, but sometimes it's a good idea to swap out the sensor when you install exhaust modifications, especially on older F-150s. Sometimes, the sensor may also be stuck, damaged, or tough to work around. In these cases, it can help to get a new sensor as well.

Avoid the Biggest Ford F-150 Exhaust Mistake of Them All

We covered a lot of common exhaustion installation mistakes that you can make. That said, the biggest mistake of them all is choosing the wrong exhaust system. Thankfully, our sales techs are ready to help you find the perfect Ford F-150 exhaust system for your needs. Check our favorite exhaust brands, whether you need a cat-back, axle-back, or new headers, we have your back when you shop online.