So I've been trying to get all of my check engine light codes fixed and I'm down to the last one. High voltage o2 behind the cat. Now I'm still fixing up the jeep it was never taken care of so ofcourse I don't have a cat or rear o2 they were snipped. But I noticed while I was under there that I need a new muffler and probably all new pipes so I figured it might be best just to replace the whole thing. But I was wondering a couple things, the pipe is being held up by this metal bracket deal that goes across the whole underside of the jeep. Can I take it off because if I can withought damaging anything it looks like the pipe would come straight down however it takes a socket (forgot the size) and its really rusty I couldent even break it loose. Also I'm new to the exhaust side of things but can someone explain to me the different parts of the pipe..I noticed there's two sides up under the engine where it splits..then it runs all the way back to the end of the jeep so is the whole thing just the tail and front pipe?

 

It sounds like the exhaust system is hacked, just hang a stock system and be done with it.

 

Check with the dealer, there may be a recall for the exhaust.

 

You talking about the transmission crossmember?

There is a Y-pipe on the manifold which connects to the downpipe.
The downpipe connects to the input of the cat.
The front o2 sensor is in that downpipe.
The output of the cat attaches to the input of the muffler.
Output of the muffler connects to the tailpipe, which exits under the rear bumper.
The rear O2 sensor screws into a bung in the output end of the cat.

As Busted mentioned, there is a lifetime recall on the '96 cat. But since you don't have one- I'm not sure they'd give you a freebie since they can't verify the old one is bad!