So I have known about this for a while now but haven't given it much thought to replacing until now. Can someone tell me how much of a this will be to replace with either a stock or upgrade (not too costly) part? Sorry for the kind of crappy pictures, it is dented inward about halfway maybe a little less.

 

It's there from the factory, not from hitting something.

 

For what reason?

 

It's dented to clear the front drive shaft under articulation I believe

 

Here's another thread on the topic:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/199...st-pipe-55357/

 

x2 I found this out the hard way after i lifted my jeep and replaced the down pipe, yea the front DS and exhaust like to occupy the same place without that dent.

 

When I found the dent in my downpipe I assumed that some bonehead at a muffler shop did it. I was the bonehead for not doing some research because I later learned that it comes that way from the factory (that's some cutting edge engineering Jeep). Anyway, I cut out the dent and welded in a patch. It's been over a year since I did it and so far there's no evidence of any clearance issues. My XJ is not lifted.

It's also been suggested that the factory did it to increase low end torque and emisions numbers. If that's the case why do most vehicle makers spent a lot of time and money making their exhaust systems as free flowing as possible?

 

1) at full bumpstop the front driveshaft/front axle yoke will hit the exhaust, it probably wont hit it at the mall but if you are cycling the suspension offroad you are bound to hit it.

2) scavenging of exhaust gases (read back pressure) makes power and has to deal with the whole physics of the engine, all in all the dent is there cause the ds. plus car makers try to get the most efficient exhaust systems to make up for all the emission crap

 

Thanks for the input guys. Really glad I didn't go out and try to fix or replace it.