mike5368

About a year ago I put a rugged ridge header on my 98 xj and it has now cracked at the collector. Anyone have some input on what a good replacement would be. I did try to warranty the part but rugged ridge won't warranty it so I don't want to put anything they sell back on. Thanks in advance

Ianf406

I went with the AFE for my stroker. Can't comment on its effectiveness as it went on attached to stroker. They have great reviews on the wrangler forums. Ran a borla a few xjs ago. Good quality. Also cracked after about 2 years
The eBay headers are a clone of the Gibsons... Everything is the exact same.

Chances are that no matter what you pick it will crack eventually with your current setup. Check motor mounts and think about incorporating a flex pipe in the down pipe to help out.

mike5368

Motor mounts are good. I had everything replace with a new engine last year at the same time. I only put maybe 15,000 on it. How does a flex pipe help? You think maybe my exhaust is shaking and cause added stress?

Ianf406

Yup! The entire weight of the exhaust is held by the headers till the first hanger, which being rubber, allows movement. The engine of course also has a bit of movement. When those movements don't line up, the headers eat it. They can only take it for so long (evident by the thousands of cracked headers on jeeps via Google search) Flex pipe becomes, and is meant to be, the point that absorbs the movement thus saving your header from the stress. I haven't cracked one that had a flex pipe on it and they are cheap!

There is also a company that incorporate a flex tube as part of their exhaust manifold but I can't think of the name of the top of my head.

MonacaYankee

The dorman I put on my green jeep two years ago still has not cracked. I also swapped a dorman onto the motor I put in my 94. I am hoping for the same result.
The gaskets it comes with are fine. Don't use extra money buying fel-pro ones if you get one.

mike5368

So where would I install this flex pipe? To the header or cut the down pipe and install there?

Ianf406

In the down pipe.

MonacaYankee

I would install it where the pipe crosses over under the transmission. That way the rest of the pipe behind stays in place while everything in front can move up and down with the motor. This way the flange doesn't have to be moved.

mike5368

It's 2 1/4 pipe right?

red4dr

Ianf406

Yup! At least it should be. (Stock)

mike5368

Thanks very much fellas

MonacaYankee

On my cherokee it is 2.5 all the way to the cat then the cat output is 2.25 as is the rest of the exhaust. (Factory)

XJ_will

I just went with OEM