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New Gibson axle-back kit in the works
- Thread starter jrgoffin
- Start date
After driving a few days, I'm going to have to say this is a winning product for a lot of people. Straight forward install--aside from cutting the stock exhaust. Decent quality materials. Pleasing low tones, a little louder than stock. Looks great--just what I wanted. Priced relatively low. I would recommend it highly if you're looking for a better sounding exhaust that looks good and not too loud.
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OP
Thread Starter
#64
Thread Starter
#64
Great to hear more, and really a perfect sound for the ST. It was enjoyable talking to the guys at Gibson, understanding they felt a complete cat-back kit was unnecessary since there were no gains and they’d only be taking our money. A lot of these have sold already for good reason. They did their homework for sure.
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https://gibsonperformance.com/i-232...mic-stainless-exhaust-stainless-619718b.html#!
Ordered Friday, looking forward to this upgrade next week!
Ordered Friday, looking forward to this upgrade next week!
we slso have thre Gibson axle back available at whoosh motorsports
https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...e-back-exhaust-2020-explorer-st-free-shipping
https://whoosh-motorsports.myshopif...e-back-exhaust-2020-explorer-st-free-shipping
OP
Thread Starter
#75
Thread Starter
#75
Finally got mine installed today since it was relatively nice (well, if you consider 40° and sunny nice). Great sound, but with the MRT H-pipe, it’s a bit too loud for my tastes, so I’ll have the factory resonator welded back in sometime shortly.
Install was pretty straightforward, but I need to go back and re-adjust the driver’s side tips since they shifted as I was cranking down the band clamp. Overall, probably took less than two hours since I was in no hurry at all. The directions don’t mention it, but you’ll probably have to remove the rear upper hangars so you can lift the ends up after you slide the pipes on to the factory tubes. They are a pain to get at, but easier without the factory mufflers in the way.
Quick shot after breaking out my recip saw - no turning back now:
Finished look, but I’ll re-adjust the tips whenever warmer weather rolls in:
I’ll attach a couple video clips once I figure out how to do so (imagine it being just a bit louder than the video clips @Cdubya posted at the top of this page). I did get in a quick drive and it has a great rumble, with no drone even with the H-pipe. I'll be glad to tone the decibels down a bit, but I can live with it temporarily before I swing over to the local exhaust shop.
Install was pretty straightforward, but I need to go back and re-adjust the driver’s side tips since they shifted as I was cranking down the band clamp. Overall, probably took less than two hours since I was in no hurry at all. The directions don’t mention it, but you’ll probably have to remove the rear upper hangars so you can lift the ends up after you slide the pipes on to the factory tubes. They are a pain to get at, but easier without the factory mufflers in the way.
Quick shot after breaking out my recip saw - no turning back now:
Finished look, but I’ll re-adjust the tips whenever warmer weather rolls in:
I’ll attach a couple video clips once I figure out how to do so (imagine it being just a bit louder than the video clips @Cdubya posted at the top of this page). I did get in a quick drive and it has a great rumble, with no drone even with the H-pipe. I'll be glad to tone the decibels down a bit, but I can live with it temporarily before I swing over to the local exhaust shop.
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It's about freaking time jrgoffin! I didn't remove any hangers though. I would recommend people NOT do final tightening until you test fit everything. Then start with the band clamps (or U bolts), and finally the tips. The tips move around so easily when tightening also so it's best to get them tight but moveable with effort. Once final position is achieved, then do final tightening.
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Thread Starter
#78
Thread Starter
#78
That’s the same clip I linked in the very first post. It’s the development vehicle and still has the factory resonator in place.
Glad to have knocked it out finally! I did tighten the band clamps down after initial alignment (before adding the tips), but it shifted slightly anyway. I think I’ll run over to my local shop first thing tomorrow so they can weld the resonator back in, and I’ll just ask them to tweak it again. Had I been thinking, I would have used my floor jack to support the driver’s side pipe, but I was hustling to get it done since my finger tips were getting chilled.
In any case, digging the new sound and probably will like it even better when the H-pipe comes out. Definitely glad I never went with an axle-back kit that is straight-piped since that would have been too much. Gibson did a very nice job with this for sure, and even better that you aren’t spending twice as much (or more) for a great sound.
Glad to have knocked it out finally! I did tighten the band clamps down after initial alignment (before adding the tips), but it shifted slightly anyway. I think I’ll run over to my local shop first thing tomorrow so they can weld the resonator back in, and I’ll just ask them to tweak it again. Had I been thinking, I would have used my floor jack to support the driver’s side pipe, but I was hustling to get it done since my finger tips were getting chilled.
In any case, digging the new sound and probably will like it even better when the H-pipe comes out. Definitely glad I never went with an axle-back kit that is straight-piped since that would have been too much. Gibson did a very nice job with this for sure, and even better that you aren’t spending twice as much (or more) for a great sound.
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Thread Starter
#79
Thread Starter
#79
Updating this again since I had my factory resonator welded back in this afternoon. What a difference - sounds absolutely amazing. With the H-pipe, it was just way too loud - almost straight-pipe loud, but it's perfect now. The rumble is noticeable, but nowhere near close to obnoxious. No drone at all, just completely mellow when cruising on the freeway. For the $$$, this really is a kit that can't be beat.
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Thread Starter
#80
Thread Starter
#80
No real humming noticed on my end, other than maybe up close to 90MPH, and that was with the stereo turned off. I'd say it has a pleasant rumble much like what Ford had piped through the speakers (mine was turned off within the first month of ownership), only it comes from behind you rather than in front. Of all the clips I've heard from other kits, I'd say I like this one the most for sure.
Just too bad I had a slight debacle with the H-pipe removal. I think I've scored like-new Ford parts, so that should be remedied soon enough.
Just too bad I had a slight debacle with the H-pipe removal. I think I've scored like-new Ford parts, so that should be remedied soon enough.
