1994-1998 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Mufflers

Mufflers on the 1994-1998 RAM 5.9L Cummins

The 12-valve 5.9L Cummins came with a simple exhaust: a cast manifold, the HX35 turbo, a 3-inch downpipe and a single exhaust with a muffler. There is no EGR, DPF or SCR to work around. In the aftermarket, mufflers usually come as part of a 4-inch system, which is the standard street upgrade for these trucks, while 5-inch systems are mostly found on compound-turbo builds.

What wears out

There is no known factory muffler failure pattern on these trucks beyond rust and age. On a Ram from these years, the muffler, the pipe around it and the hangers have seen decades of heat and weather, so a rusted-out muffler is ordinary wear. When you replace one, check the pipe on both sides of it.

Picking the right MBRP muffler

Start with size. MBRP offers 4-inch and 5-inch universal 409 stainless mufflers, so match the inlet to the pipe you run. Then pick the sound. The Quiet Tone models, offered as the Armor Lite 5-inch Quiet Tone and a universal 4-inch Quiet Tone, are the place to start if you want the truck quieter. The Armor Plus GP290022 is a 5-inch high-flow muffler, and the Armor Lite M20681 is a resonator muffler. MBRP diesel resonators come in aluminized and stainless steel versions.

What we carry

Every part on this page comes from MBRP: the universal 4-inch and 5-inch 409 stainless mufflers, the Armor Plus GP290022 5-inch high-flow muffler, the Armor Lite M20681 resonator muffler, the Armor Lite 5-inch Quiet Tone muffler, the universal 4-inch Quiet Tone muffler, and MBRP diesel resonators in aluminized and stainless steel. Tips, clamps and exhaust brakes are on the Accessories page, and pipe and adapters on the Exhaust page in this same section. Shop every truck we cover in our exhaust collection.

Fitment notes

These mufflers install into your pipe, so plan for cutting and clamping or welding, or have us do it in Wildwood. Measure your pipe before ordering; a 5-inch muffler will not go into a 4-inch system without adapters. Routing and hanger position change with cab and bed, since Club Cab short-bed, Regular Cab long-bed and 3500 dually systems differ. If you have changed turbos, remember the downpipe changes too: the stock HX35 takes a 3-inch downpipe and HX40-flange S300 upgrades take a 4-inch.

Frequently asked questions

Should I run a 4-inch or 5-inch muffler?

Match the muffler to your pipe. A 4-inch system is the standard street upgrade on the 12-valve, so the 4-inch mufflers suit most street trucks, while 5-inch systems are mostly on compound-turbo trucks around 700 hp. MBRP offers both sizes in 409 stainless.

Do mufflers fail on these trucks?

Not in any pattern specific to the 1994-1998 Ram. Rust and age are what wear them out, so a rotted muffler on a truck this old is normal. Check the hangers and the pipe on either side while you are under there.

I want a quieter truck. Which muffler should I look at?

Start with MBRP's Quiet Tone models, the Armor Lite 5-inch Quiet Tone and the universal 4-inch Quiet Tone, and pick the one that matches your pipe size. If flow matters more to you than sound, look at the Armor Plus GP290022 5-inch high-flow muffler. Call the shop if you want help pairing a muffler with a resonator.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.