I replaced my entire exhaust down from the Y-pipe including the cat converter in the Explorer last summer. Now I have a small hole in the y-pipe(a shield came off and it is where the weld was). The salt probably had something to do with it too.
The rest of the pipe seems solid, but has a rust layer. One reputable shop looked at it and said get a new pipe, they hinted at about 4-5 hours of labor. Another gave me an appointment without seeing it and said they can do it. He said if you can strike it with a hammer and its solid they can weld. They claim to do custom exhausts and such.
I would replace the pipe myself but the studs are a nightmare and there are only one or two stainless OEM pipes around online. The 02 sensors may need replacement too, they are likely welded in and will need the wire cut for a full socket. The aftermarket ones are the aluminized [censored]. I think a 40$ weld job will outlast the aluminized pipe. They don't even have a warranty.
The rest of the pipe seems solid, but has a rust layer. One reputable shop looked at it and said get a new pipe, they hinted at about 4-5 hours of labor. Another gave me an appointment without seeing it and said they can do it. He said if you can strike it with a hammer and its solid they can weld. They claim to do custom exhausts and such.
I would replace the pipe myself but the studs are a nightmare and there are only one or two stainless OEM pipes around online. The 02 sensors may need replacement too, they are likely welded in and will need the wire cut for a full socket. The aftermarket ones are the aluminized [censored]. I think a 40$ weld job will outlast the aluminized pipe. They don't even have a warranty.