When I redid my wife's 99 XJ exhaust (2016-ish), the exhaust manifold was cracked and I used the standard with the accordian sections to minimize cracking. Well it has developed a hole in the accordian section and needs replaced. I was thinking fo going with the (cost isn't an issue, I just don't want to have to replace it again any time soon. Anyone have any recommendations for an exhaust manifold?

 

The Banks has held up for me. I’m using the Banks gasket also.

 

Also be sure to check your engine/trans mounts. Excessive movement will crack headers.

 

Good call on the motor mounts. I replaced them ~10 years ago but should check them again. I ended up going with the ATP stainless one.

 

The exhaust manifold came yesterday so decided to do the replacement today. I am also swapping out the steering gear box. This is my wife's jeep and she took it for inspection and it failed for the exhaust and they said "loose steering". I already had a red head steering box on hand so just decided to replace the steering gear box too. I have replaced several steering gear boxes so I can that job done pretty quickly.
I remoevd the intake and exhaust and replaced the steering gear box. But...when I went to put the ATP exhaust manifold on I saw a problem. The last time I did the exhaust manifold I figured out the trick of putting the lower middle manifold bolts partway in and then rest the intake on them to get it aligned. Then, you can get a 9/16" socket on the nuts to snug them up. The problem I see is that the middle rear one is partially blocked by the exhaust itself. The one I had on there (a dorman) gave a straight shot to the nut. How in the heck do you get something on there to tighten it? It is the one circled in red in the picture.

 

Was thinking about tools that might do the job and found adjustable crows foot wrench on amazon. Might be a winner. Not enthused about having to buy another tool. Seems to be either this or some stubby open end wrenches. What a pain.

 

Remember, you will never see that bolt once the intake is on so you will have to do it by feel or somehow from underneath. I hope you can even get it started with the intake installed

 

Got it all done today. That one bolt was such a pain. The other bottoms took a few minutes to get a socket on them. That partially obscured one too 45 minutes. Tried everything I could think of and then kind of laid over the side and got both hands under the intake. Was able to slide a box end wrench in and get it tightened with 1/8 turns. And when I was putting the fuel rail back, I noticed all of the injectors are swelling and cracked. These are the original injectors so I'd say they had a good run. 257k miles isn't bad. Tub thumper is still going strong.

cracked injectors

shiny new stainless exhaust