Best Exhaust For V8 4runners? My 4-Year Gibson Review

I've had this Gibson Black Elite Series cat back exhaust on my 4runner for 4 years and 42,000 km now. Here are my thoughts on the sound, build quality, and whether or not it drones.
Gibson exhaust: amzn.to/3H4fRcn
Original review article: canadiangearhead.com/gibson-e...
00:00 Intro
01:22 How it's holding up
04:26 Drone
06:30 Interior footage
09:15 Pros
10:49 Cons
12:58 Final word
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Everything you want to know about my 4runner: canadiangearhead.com/4runner-...
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.
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[@losranchorelaxo]

Glad you posted a follow up. When I first installed there was a drone for sure but after a while it just kind of disappeared. Now it's very mellow unless you're pushing it.

[@CanadianGearhead]

Glad I'm not the only one!

[@Robert8455]

Sounds good to me. I opted for the Magnaflow 'Overland' unit for my 07 Sport a couple years ago and I'm pretty happy with it. The tip is tucked up behind the rear bumper, sound quality is really good, no drone. Its not super loud but it provides a nice rumble that sounds very similar to yours and lets you know you have a V8 when you mash on it.

[@CanadianGearhead]

Nice!

[@2-old-Forthischet]

This is totally unrelated to Toyota but I had a 67 5.0 Mustang 4 speed with all the speed goodies including long tube headers, hi lift cam, etc. I had 2 1/2 inch pipes with turbo mufflers and it was LOUD. I came across a Fox body Mustang that had a 5.0 5 speed with the shorty headers and that thing was even louder! It must have been the mufflers he was or wasn't running. Back to the 4Runner and I am really impressed with the low end of this 4.7L V8 and how smooth it runs.

[@Thatswildchief]

Man, first I want to say I've been watching your videos for a while and they've been really helpful, so thank you for that. I've been thinking about taking the dive and doing the DT headers and then the Gibson. I'm pretty intimidated by the headers but I'm getting there. Hope all is well! PS, I was wondering if you have any exhaust issues when you roll your window down, I feel like I'm always being choked by it.

[@CanadianGearhead]

Yeah I think there's a bit of a vacuum effect behind the 4runner with the window down on the highway - I don't mind the smell but it's bad enough that I won't put the window down with the baby inside

[@dali7]

Sounds great! I did doug thorley shortie headers, cat delete, doug thorley y-pipe assembly and MagnaFlow street series cat-back exhaust. Same complaint about the drone with mine. Hoping it breaks in a bit more. Also if I did it again I would keep the Cats. The exhaust fumes are blah! Keep up the great work and videos! :)

[@CanadianGearhead]

Thanks for watching!

[@goldeneaglepride5044]

She’s an absolute beaut Clark.

[@CanadianGearhead]

😂

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Holding up well for 4 years in Canada snow

[@Online_Name]

Any number difference on MPG? Stock numbers then DT w/stock exhaust numbers and DT w/Gibson numbers would be helpful.

[@mckenzieepp5758]

How was install on yours? I’ve recently purchased the dual tip and having a hard time installing it correctly. Even the flange where the old cat pipes meet the new Gibson are different and don’t work with the bolts supplied.

[@mercurials54]

V8 4Runner with Gibson exhaust owner, sounds great during cold start but once it warms up it’s only noticeable inside the vehicle as the clips with the drive by demonstrates. I’ll be using them extra parts to weld a flowmaster super 44 this summer.

[@CanadianGearhead]

You can't hear it in the drive by clips? What are you watching the vid on? I think it's very noticeable on the outside

[@mercurials54]

@@CanadianGearhead iPhone 12 Pro, just listened with headphones and wish that’s how it sounded in the real world 😆 I got both V6 and V8 4runner. When I do drive by I hear more tire noise than V8 sound, will switch the Falken MTs from V8 to KO2 from V6 and see if it makes a difference.

[@Icehawks7]

I agree. I’ve had my Gibson exhaust on my 4Runner V8 for 2.5 years now. The only person who thinks it’s loud is me when I’m driving it. I’ve had other people drive it while I stand outside and listen, and I’ve really never been impressed considering how expensive the Gibson was compared to other options. I’m not gonna lie, the reason I purchased it was to have a loud exhaust note but it has proven to be otherwise. I’ve been thinking about doing a full custom setup but not really sure exactly what I want that setup to be yet.

[@CanadianGearhead]

That's weird, mine sounds just like the vid in real life

[@TryAmazonPrimeToday]

The Gibson sounds good on the V8!

[@bradcasstevens5626]

Can you please tell me what the part number of the header that you have on your 4 runner. And the emission delete Thanks

[@ape_rider_88]

In my opinion the exhaust I have sounds the best, again my opinion only lol, and I’ll voice it well we are still a “ free “ country 😅 All I did was cut the muffler out and cut the back resonator out and straight piped it and put a 4 inch black tip on it, I posted a video on my channel I’m not popular like you though haha I noticed my gas mileage is pretty good though Oh and it’s not as loud as I thought it would have been. Sounds just nice and beefy, definitely not like what you think a straight piped v8 would be. Probably cause if the first two cats

[@Liberty-Works1111]

Ive got a V8 Sport & have had a Gibson for 5 years now... it was too loud for my taste when I first installed it... I think slight carbon coating also changes the sound dynamics because mine quieted down as well...

[@Zharsergey]

Exhaust sounds good! However, it looks like it is 409 stainless instead of 304. 304 would not rust like that and it would be quite a bit more expensive.

[@koykoymcg6]

Ok first what tires and rims do you have on that 4Runner? Looks great. Thanks

[@CanadianGearhead]

285/70/17 Duratracs on Method Standards

[@koykoymcg6]

Did you lift it? How many inches did you lift? Looks fantastic

[@RipRoaringGarage]

I saw your article so I came here. The last point...Im at the point where I dont care. Things are bad, and people all know it, so screw it. Going headlong. Havent bothered monetizing yet...not sure if its worth it (since going full into car politics. In fact, tomorrow is my make or break moment...might not even have a channel after LOL). Its probably tougher up there by you. Anyway, gonna sub, to watch as best as I have time.

[@CanadianGearhead]

Thanks for subbing!

[@jeffreyfitch1006]

Just put a Flowmaster super 10 on it. It will sound amazing.

[@blackwatch7151]

Does that install just behind the muffler? I have an 06 V8

[@CanadianGearhead]

After the cats, it includes a new muffler

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

The Doug Thorley Long tube headers Do make a ton of difference compared to the Doug Thorley Short Tube Headers

[@CanadianGearhead]

I think that's likely more due to removing the primary cats than the headers themselves

[@blackwatch7151]

There must be some provinces or states that allow you to remove the cats. In my province you have to wait until the vehicle is 30 years old.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@CanadianGearhead the cats do help but there are a few things that long tube headers benefit over the collector on the headers being longer allows for the exhaust gas to cool and transition smoother to the exhaust pipe being there is more header length.. long tube headers provide more hp because it's a smoother flow more length of travel between head and start of exhaust as well as les vortexing gases.. also Controls the back pressure better during the transition between header and exhaust.. plenty of other things I could mention but the cats being removed do help exhaust flow and transition as well as breathing bit high flow cats and long tube headers actually provide well over 100hp more with a good tune for the motor and exhaust..

[@CanadianGearhead]

Tampering with emissions equipment is illegal in Ontario too, but only if you get pulled over lol

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@CanadianGearhead I understand it's illegal there The short tube headers are street legal The Long tube headers are classified as race most places in the states you can and can't have race headers depends on if emissions checks are done in the countys in them states for me we're I live my county don't do emissions checks... I can understand why Shirt tune headers would be more Desirable because they bolt in and Orginal cats can be bolted up were alot of cutting and modding has to be done with old cats for long tube headers and race cats would have to be installed if you remove the cats completely the v8 will go into limp mode which is why most people do short tune headers because it dont require emulators wired into the ecm to fake the o2 sensor readings and most people don't want to do thst much more work for the sound and breathability... but long tube headers are definitely louder give more of a mean aggressive v8 sound and they breath better but it's up to the person on what there willing to do.. Appreciate the conversation

[@Fatandtactical]

Im kinda of curious if just a cat back would be alright with stock manifolds

[@CanadianGearhead]

It would be totally fine imo

[@ape_rider_88]

Your spare tire ?? It’s not the same size hey as the other ones ?? What’s your opinion on if you had to use it ? Different overall diameter

[@CanadianGearhead]

It's the same overall diameter, just narrower. It would be fine to get me to a tire shop if I need to but I wouldn't drive it around like that if I don't have to

[@ape_rider_88]

@@CanadianGearhead ok yeah I wasn’t sure just by looking, I just went with some 20s off a 5th gen limited. And my spare was from 2007 never used lol. So had to replace that with a 265/65r18 to match the 245/60r20 I’m running. Decided to go with some Toyo open country AT3s I wanted duratracs but they don’t have that size and the 255/55r20 is super expensive

[@dakotamccormick8227]

Yes I thought it was just me but these ram owners drive me INSANE why do they feel the need to chop off their mufflers? But your 4Runner sounds great love your channel man

[@GeorgeLoch]

You replaced the headers as well, correct?

[@CanadianGearhead]

Yup it has DT short tubes with factory cats and y-pipe

[@diegotoro758]

Where can I get one of your car decals?

[@CanadianGearhead]

Where are you located?

[@diegotoro758]

Mississauga

[@CanadianGearhead]

@@diegotoro758 Email me your shipping address to [e-mail] and I'll send one out to ya!

[@diegotoro758]

Wow! thank you so much

[@tx_reaper5973]

Ram owners do that across all of North America.....

[@alanobrien3138]

My Gibson drone lasted about 1 month and disappeared as well.

[@kirkyyz438]

You can't hide buddy you are a he vista print guy

[@CanadianGearhead]

I don't know who that is but I hope he's good looking

[@mikejohnson9118]

Bro...4Runners are notorious for rust (frame/subassemblies)

[@Wmit79]

The headers wouldn’t make a difference with a stock exhaust. But with a more open muffler it could sound different with stock headers compared to the Doug thorleys. To test the sound difference between headers you would need to try it with a muffler that you’re actually able to hear.

[@jrh2015]

There is no such thing as a good exhaust for a 4runner. Save momey, keep it stock, and the exhaust won't spund like a coffee can full of deep farts.