Cut off exhaust (14" section) for cleaner look & clearance

papadop88 · Aug 3, 2025

I went the other way and cut off 14", right after the first hanger.

Cost: $0
Time: 30 mins to mark, cut and smooth out

Cleans up the back real nice and doesn't look like your thingy is hanging out your pants...

Before:

After:

2025 4runner 6th gen Cut off exhaust (14" section) for cleaner look & clearance IMG_0107

toothpaste22 · Aug 3, 2025

Wow that looks pretty clean and neat! Definitely inspired to do the same, does it have any negative effects on the vehicle function?
Im assuming no…

papadop88 · Aug 3, 2025

toothpaste22 said:
Wow that looks pretty clean and neat! Definitely inspired to do the same, does it have any negative effects on the vehicle function?
Im assuming no…

Thanks. No. It’s just a piece of aluminum.

brumey · Aug 4, 2025

I thought it was Stainless Steel, not Aluminum.

Roach011 · Aug 4, 2025

I'm about to do this but just after the coupling, before the rear axle.

Lrpendant · Aug 4, 2025

I would be concerned cutting it any shorter. If you are sitting with the engine running for any length of time, the engine fumes are going into the interior.

Roach011 · Aug 4, 2025

Lrpendant said:
I would be concerned cutting it any shorter. If you are sitting with the engine running for any length of time, the engine fumes are going into the interior.

Nah, people have been axle dumping for generations. Side pipes right next to the door too

BillyG4Runner6G · Aug 4, 2025

Looks clean and factory finished. Nice work man! Definately a future mod for sure.

papadop88 · Aug 4, 2025

Lrpendant said:
I would be concerned cutting it any shorter. If you are sitting with the engine running for any length of time, the engine fumes are going into the interior.

Don't worry about that. I axle dumped my 5th gen with zero issues. It's actually a very popular mod for overlanders because tailpipes get smashed all the time. Especially with a 4-banger, you have nothing to worry about. With the hybrid that turns off when you're stopped or idling, that thought shouldn't even be in your head. Cut away for those who want to get rid of that log sticking out.

papadop88 · Aug 4, 2025

BillyG4Runner6G said:
Looks clean and factory finished. Nice work man! Definately a future mod for sure.

Thank you. Pretty easy with a large angle grinder. Even a sawzall will get the job done. Just tape where you want to cut and follow the lines. 30 min job max.

papadop88 · Aug 4, 2025

brumey said:
I thought it was Stainless Steel, not Aluminum.

Sure, it's stainless...whatever it is, its a piece of metal.

bakutheleo · Aug 4, 2025

Does look nice but I think I would be more concerned with the host exhaust gasses hitting stuff (plastic) it shouldn't, shortening its life. I expect there is a reason the designers brought it that far back. If it did get crunched, though, I'd probably cut that part off.

Dr_Al · Aug 4, 2025

I can't say I like the looks but for all those who say it's no big deal it actually is. If your state has annual inspections the garage (I know two people who had this happen) wouldn't pass it. Once it was rejected it was entered into the system so it couldn't pass by any garage until fixed. Secondly you really don't want to dump moist exhaust under the body of a vehicle. It's acidic and will speed up the rusting process. I'm sure there's a small chance of exhaust fumes getting into the cabin but that's pretty unlikely as the car is sealed up pretty tightly. There's more of a risk of getting exhaust fumes inside the car if you drive with the rear window down.

Of the two people that had to repair it one just didn't bother getting his car inspected and the other added a very ugly looking extension. I hate the exhaust tip on my Tundra. I thought about cutting it off (since it's a bed, not a cabin, the law doesn't apply) but it's rust free after 18 years and I would like to get another 18 years out of it.

papadop88 · Aug 4, 2025

Dr_Al said:
I can't say I like the looks but for all those who say it's no big deal it actually is. If your state has annual inspections the garage (I know two people who had this happen) wouldn't pass it. Once it was rejected it was entered into the system so it couldn't pass by any garage until fixed. Secondly you really don't want to dump moist exhaust under the body of a vehicle. It's acidic and will speed up the rusting process. I'm sure there's a small chance of exhaust fumes getting into the cabin but that's pretty unlikely as the car is sealed up pretty tightly. There's more of a risk of getting exhaust fumes inside the car if you drive with the rear window down.

Of the two people that had to repair it one just didn't bother getting his car inspected and the other added a very ugly looking extension. I hate the exhaust tip on my Tundra. I thought about cutting it off (since it's a bed, not a cabin, the law doesn't apply) but it's rust free after 18 years and I would like to get another 18 years out of it.

I live in CA, which has some of the strictest laws, and have never heard of anyone having any issues with smog checks because they cut off 14" off the tailpipe. With the high emission standards these days, cars shouldn't have any issue. Secondly, Lee Zeldin and the EPA is wiping out smog checks across the country.

Again, if someone wants the look, there shouldn't be any issues cutting. Axle dumps are extremely popular.

papadop88 · Aug 4, 2025

bakutheleo said:
Does look nice but I think I would be more concerned with the host exhaust gasses hitting stuff (plastic) it shouldn't, shortening its life. I expect there is a reason the designers brought it that far back. If it did get crunched, though, I'd probably cut that part off.

The gases aren't around anything that they would hurt. Like I've said, I axle dumped on several vehicles, my 5th gen having dumped for 5 years and zero issues.

Cut off exhaust (14" section) for cleaner look & clearance

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