Taking Muffler off '01 Ford Ranger; Stripped Nut!?

Hi, I have a 2001 Ford Ranger XLT and recently I wanted to take off my muffler to increase the sound on it. I have a friend who did it to his Ranger which is exactly the same as mine and it meets qualifications for legal purposes.

Anyway, I went under and saw that it was extremely rusted and I tried to get it out anyway thinking it would just come off with a little man power but I guess that's not the case. Anyway, I ended up stripping the nut on one side of the muffler (the other side i haven't touched). I tried putting rust remover on the area that was rusted and it removed the rust but the nut's still on pretty damn tight. I've read on forums that I can use a drill bit and drill through one side of the nut but if i mess up I'm screwed. Another forum I read said that I can beat on a 9/16 wrench and that should do it but I'm wondering what the consequences are. (The nut's a size 15mm) People say I could just use a hacksaw, but I want to be able to put it back on for if I want to sell it again. Please respond quick! I want to get this done asap

xmas soon yayy

If you end up hacking the muffler off that will be a good reason to buy a decent cat-back exhaust for it. I have a 2003 Ranger Edge with a 3.0L and like it quiet because these trucks are not fast, nor that powerful. In other words, don't add the sound if you don't have the performance to back up that noise. I've heard late model Rangers with the muffler removed and even glass pack muffler installed. They all sound like trash and it is a total lack of good taste in exhaust sound.

Use a dremel tool with a cutting dick or an angle grinder and just cut it off.I've done it many times.If you don't have one or can't borrow one, then use a hacksaw.

drill it out and use a stainless steel nut and bolt

Try a heat torch and use the same processes you've been using after it's hot including a BFH. Be extremely careful with the torch. You don't want to be toast for Christmas.

Isn't there a device called a nut cracker--it fastens on to the nut, and you turn a pointed screw into the nut to split it? Of course, there may not be room to swing it, but try an auto parts store or large home center.

use a small torch on it...light it up to a glow and then try to loosen it...

Use a 12 point socket.Heat the nut with a hand held torch .when nut is red,with socket in ratchet turn nut.It will probably break off.Do same to other side.You're gonna have a hell of a time taking the muffler off because the clamp has squeezed the pipe onto the muffler.Heat exhaust pipe where the clamp was.Get it red,take a ball pein hammer and try to round out the pipe.Get a piece of 2x4,lay along the width of the muffler and hit 2x4 with a heavy hammer.This should knock the muffler out of the pipe.But,I would leave the muffler on.