OEM exhaust (and larger ticket items) vs reproduction

[kreativecid]

Looking at new midpipes (OEM PN is 17420-61070) and muffler.

No surprise US Toyota parts fiche does not have a non-cat offering. Several reputable international sellers do. No idea how importing/tariffs/tax will effect price nor have I began the price comparisons for domestic options. I read the stickied thread on 4X Series Parts in Stock.

Is the scarcity and price of OEM parts such as a midpipe "forcing" you to make your own, go with a local exhaust/hot rod shop, or purchase aftermarket from reputable US vendor because it saves a lot of time and frustration dealing with "sorry, no US shipping" or it's vaporware and never arrives?

I'm guessing it may depend how original your 40 is and your budget. Reading old threads it seems weather stripping and head gaskets are two areas where OEM is vastly superior, but aftermarket is a good option for non-original trucks or those looking to save $$$. My 40 is virtually 100% factory original. I have no idea how long I'll keep it, seeing as how I've been in the 40 world a whopping month, ha, but my new car euphoria is in high gear, I enjoy having this toy; finding a survivor was the main priority in my original truck buying process. That said...

When it comes to big ticket items such as my exhaust (or suspension, rebuilt motors, fueling, wheels, etc) which option would be your first choice?

 

[70fj40]

In your case since selling it is the end goal you may as well go OEM and keep the value as high as possible. In a different situation where the main goal is to keep it on the road and usable in today’s traffic and off-road it is sometimes a better option to go aftermarket. Ascetics like wheels OEM keeps the look original and are still widely available from Toyota.

 

[Living in the Past]

Interesting I didn't realize any aftermarket exhaust components for 1/79+ were being made in the US? Thought other OEM custom one off was the only options. For the middle pipe even if could secure the one of the non CAT versions and cut short to add the CAT you are still dealing with heat shields for the hotter exhaust because of the CAT. Not mentioning the front heater pipe you probably have 8/80-9/83 with the heat shield on the driver's firewall? Can't imagine keeping 1/79-7/80 under the frame when non CAT markets it ran above the frame from 1/79 on.

 

[zerotreedelta]

I tried to keep mine pretty original where possible, but it also had a hard life. I worried less about things that were consumable/swappable/easily reversed. Eg, paint is hard to change later, but wheels are easy to swap. Similar for exhaust - it's ultimately a life-limited part that's also easy to change or change back without permanent mods.

The only thing outside of that would be a true time-capsule type rig with extremely low miles, but those are typically parked/non-operational.

 

[kreativecid]

Interesting I didn't realize any aftermarket exhaust components for 1/79+ were being made in the US? Thought other OEM custom one off was the only options. For the middle pipe even if could secure the one of the non CAT versions and cut short to add the CAT you are still dealing with heat shields for the hotter exhaust because of the CAT. Not mentioning the front heater pipe you probably have 8/80-9/83 with the heat shield on the driver's firewall? Can't imagine keeping 1/79-7/80 under the frame when non CAT markets it ran above the frame from 1/79 on.

I’m not 100% sure that mid pipe part number I posted initially is the correct one. Having said that, it may be difficult to find the correct OEM. Fwiw truck is 83 Saudi spec non cat.

 

[kreativecid]

addendum: Adding to the great input received in this thread, many thanks to all for chiming in, my childhood friend who collects Trail Team Ultimate 2013-2014 (he is VERY OEM-fanatical), and his father who is a retired Toyota/VW mechanic, both of whom I trust without hesitation, gave their opinions: if I plan to keep the 40 forever get a stainless system and maintain the original shape/bends. If I plan to sell in a few years get a non-stainless and keep factory shape/bends. If the next owner wants to maintain OEM spec it's an easy reversal should they find the correct parts.
On the related note, both said exhausts is the only place they prefer non-OEM. They stay OEM for everything else, no exception.

Again, thanks for the input!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I’m not 100% sure that mid pipe part number I posted initially is the correct one. Having said that, it may be difficult to find the correct OEM. Fwiw truck is 83 Saudi spec non cat.

Pretty sure these are all your part numbers for the major exhaust components. Center pipe is 17420-61060. Appears to be NLA but you might find someone that has a NOS one laying around.

17410	PIPE ASSY, EXHAUST, FRONT
17401-61090		1
17410A	NUT, EXHAUST PIPE SET STUD BOLT
90179-10010		3
17410B	GASKET, EXHAUST PIPE
90917-06003		1
17410C	BRACKET, EXHAUST PIPE FRONT (FOR FRONT)
17571-61100		1
17410V	BRACKET, EXHAUST PIPE FRONT (FOR REAR)
	Not applicable
17410Y	BOLT OR RING, EXHAUST PIPE FRONT (FOR REAR)
	Not applicable
17420	PIPE ASSY, EXHAUST, CENTER
17420-61060		1
17420A	BRACKET, EXHAUST PIPE CENTER, FRONT
	Not applicable
17420G	CUSHION, EXHAUST PIPE CENTER, CENTER
	Not applicable
17420T	CUSHION, EXHAUST PIPE CENTER, REAR
17567-61030		1
17430	PIPE ASSY, EXHAUST, TAIL
17430-61030		1
17430S	BRACKET, EXHAUST TAIL PIPE (FOR REAR)
17509-61020		1
17435	INSULATOR, EXHAUST PIPE HEAT
17435-61030	W/POWER STEERING	1
17451	GASKET, EXHAUST PIPE
90917-06024		2
17551	INSULATOR, EXHAUST PIPE HEAT, NO.1
	Not applicable
17586	BRACKET, HEAT INSULATOR, NO.1
17586-61030	W/POWER STEERING	1
17587	BRACKET, HEAT INSULATOR, NO.2
17587-61020	W/POWER STEERING

 

[Living in the Past]

Unfortunately doubt you will find NOS exhaust in the US for non CAT exhaust. Only pieces shared to the US market are the manual and power steering goes heat shield and the piece on the firewall used 8/80 and later. Not counting brackets, nuts and bolts. Muffler tailpipe may still be around. Believe someone search and bought everything that could be found in North America. Bought one while they were still available for around $175. Mid section on non CAT show three different styles. One looks like a muffler where attached where the CAT except it part of the pipe not a separate piece. Resonator? Only seeing the two part number that in 60 and 70. Maybe not looking at the right model or it's been dropped completely. I know not searching for PTO in North America it not listed like it was a few years ago.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Unfortunately doubt you will find NOS exhaust in the US for non CAT exhaust.

Indeed. I definitely meant NOS in the middle east market.