I'm assuming this isn't the "dimple" that people talk about in the downpipe?

Guess I'm on the hunt for a new pipe for the 96...

 

Yep, that's it.

 

Now I may be wrong but isn’t that to clear the yoke?

 

Not really. It's to slow the exhaust gasses so the catalytic converter warms up sooner.

 

i got a 96 too when i finally decide to knock out my exhaust manifold. i will be replacing that as well... it's a shame there isn't much of an aftermarket for that particular piece.

 

To be clear, the bends/dents/dings in my downpipe look more like damage than anything factory. After crawling around under the Jeep and getting everything cut out, the only thing holding the exhaust up was the cross member in the middle, and the manifold itself. Behind the muffler was rusted off and I think that the resulting swinging around that the exhaust was doing since all the hangars were rusted through bent and kinked my downpipe a bit. The opening from the flange looks severely restricted, more so than the picture shows.

 

Most people think that, except millions of Jeeps have the same dent

 

I would think that too, but the opposite side of the "dimple" is a pretty decent crease that doesn't look machined, it looks more accidental.

 

Mines in the same spot, its factory.

 

Oh it's machined alright. Like I said millions of XJs all have the same dent.