Are all 4.0L OHV Y-Pipes the same?

[PlasticsPaulie]

I own a 1999 B4000 4.0L OHV - I had my catalytic converters stolen last week, the clowns cut at the y-pipe ahead of the cat portion of the exhaust. Turns out that's the harder part to replace.

The Y-pipe is the federal (non-California compliant) version with O2 sensors on each inlet. Absolutely no-one makes an aftermarket part for the Ford stock Y pipe (Part F87Z-5246-BA) which fit 1998-2000 Ranger 4.0L OHV and Explorers 4.0L OHV only.

So here is the question, or series of. The 1999 4.0L OHV is the same as in the 1997 4.0L OHV right? That being the case, does it make sense that the highly available Walker 50207 made for the 1995-1997 Ranger/Explorer 4.0L OHV would fit the 1999 4.0L OHV Ranger/Explorer model? And that the only reason it's not stated as such is because Ford started phasing in the SOHC 4.0L in 1998, meaning Walker and other AM exhaust mfg.s couldn't guarantee a fit to your truck because of the two model models overlapping in 1998-2000?

The pipes looks awfully similar. Here's a picture of my Y-pipe from a few years back. And one of the Walker 50207.

 

[SenorNoob]

I don't know about that version, but; the early 4.0 y-pipe is compatible with the 2.9. So I'd think the only difference would be the O2 sensor locations on any 4.0 OHV y-pipe.

To be fair tho, 97 was the last year of TTB so maybe they have to be different to clear the differential?

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

you can see which are the same on rock auto by comparing part numbers. as stated above 2.9 and pre OBDII 4.0 are the same. in 95 they clock the oval in the triangle flange differently. im not sure what happens after 97 if anything.

 

[DRanger024]

I think there are two (or a few) different versions of the flange the cat section bolts to.

 

[PlasticsPaulie]

I checked the gasket part number for all the models and they pretty much all use the same gasket (Walker 31609) so it must have something to do with the different pitch angles of the triangular flange from year to year.

 

[tsklan]

I hope you continue to update this thread as you learn more. I am having the same problem with my 2000 (99 build) 3.0 Flex truck. The stock y-pipe does not have catalytic converters - the cats are further back on a straight(er) pipe - just like in your picture of your exhaust in the bed of your truck. In fact, the exhaust might even be the exact same design. I can't find any option to replace the stock y-pipe. All that is available is a y-pipe with two catalytic converters.

 

[PlasticsPaulie]

I lucked out somehow. I probably contacted 25-30 individuals and found someone who was minutes away from cutting out their y-pipe. I was able to convince him to go through the trouble of unbolting (breaking bolts because they're rusted on) to spare the Y-pipe. I drove 5 hours each way to pick this up yesterday. The guy said without question he was going to cut it out to get to the transmission and engine parts from the 1999 Ranger he was parting.

Here is what I know. This part is specific to 1998 to 2000 4.0L OHV Rangers, and B4000 trucks. It may also come from 98-00' 4.0L OHV Explorers but I can't confirm, that's just what the Ford site lists. I implore you to write Walker and other manufacturers of aftermarket pipes to suggest they open up tooling and start making these pipes. I was the second guy to message the owner of this Ranger about his pipe after the post had been up for only 7 hours.

Between constant craigslist and FB messages I was able to get this. I probably spent 15 hours just trying to contact people over it. Write the pipe manufacturers and insist there is money to be made! It's clear there are a ton of people looking for these pipes, on top of the fact that they are far easier to cut-out than to unbolt means there are next to none floating around.

 

[Broosedamoose]

The only difference is the converters. They stopped making those Y-pipes because they have no converters. The new set up has three converters instead of just two. One in each down pipe and one right after they merge. I tried finding one a couple years ago and I was told they do not make them without the converters anymore.

 

[KornTruck2]

I lucked out somehow. I probably contacted 25-30 individuals and found someone who was minutes away from cutting out their y-pipe. I was able to convince him to go through the trouble of unbolting (breaking bolts because they're rusted on) to spare the Y-pipe. I drove 5 hours each way to pick this up yesterday. The guy said without question he was going to cut it out to get to the transmission and engine parts from the 1999 Ranger he was parting.

Here is what I know. This part is specific to 1998 to 2000 4.0L OHV Rangers, and B4000 trucks. It may also come from 98-00' 4.0L OHV Explorers but I can't confirm, that's just what the Ford site lists. I implore you to write Walker and other manufacturers of aftermarket pipes to suggest they open up tooling and start making these pipes. I was the second guy to message the owner of this Ranger about his pipe after the post had been up for only 7 hours.

Between constant craigslist and FB messages I was able to get this. I probably spent 15 hours just trying to contact people over it. Write the pipe manufacturers and insist there is money to be made! It's clear there are a ton of people looking for these pipes, on top of the fact that they are far easier to cut-out than to unbolt means there are next to none floating around.

I got the same issue with my 3.0… as a fail safe, can i run that california emissions pipes and still pass emissions?

 

[Shran]

I got the same issue with my 3.0… as a fail safe, can i run that california emissions pipes and still pass emissions?

I don't know why the pipe itself would matter as long as it has the correct number of O2 sensors and number/type of catalytic converters. Y pipes are often replaced and made from scratch at exhaust shops.

 

[funguy26]

Sarah -n- Tuned for a header set for her 4.0l OHV heads to cats.