A project truck is always a long–and sometimes strange–journey. First you pour your heart and soul into modifying the vehicle,
according to how you think it should be built. And after the buildup, it usually goes back to its manufacturer or sails off
into the sunset, never to be seen again. Sometimes, they can even be promptly destroyed due to liability concerns.
On the Dodge, removing the stock air filter is a very simple process. We won't put you to sleep with the boring details,
but anybody with a lick of mechanical knowledge should be able to handle this install.
Our Project Heavy Metal Dodge Ram 3500 is a bit different, since we actually own the truck. This makes it an ideal platform
for long-term testing of the modifications applied to it. In addition to bringing you ideas on how to make a Dodge Ram a good
multi-tasking platform, we also wanted to see how Big Red held up to the mods, and how they performed over the long haul.
Like any good group of engineers, the crew at AEM thoroughly inspected the competition's filter for any signs of wear or dust
getting through. Overall, the filter was in good shape and still doing its job of trapping dirt; although, the team noted
that over multiple washings, a filter can break down and become less efficient at stopping dirt.
The ownership experience also adds a lot more to a project. Driving our Dodge Ram daily, we have learned what Big Red really
needs. Our initial slew of modifications were great, but over the course of time and many miles, there are some faults that
have presented themselves and definitely need to be addressed.
What shocked us is how dirty our original filter had become after only 10,000 miles. The AEM Dryflow filter is easy to spot
as it absolutely dwarfs the stock-sized filter. Measuring 28-inches around and 9-inches tall, the Dryflow is absolutely massive.
Its generous size helps it deliver a healthy 1,350 cfm of flow.
First, we noticed we needed a proper air filter. With our Dodge's 5.9-liter Cummins seriously warmed over–and with the dusty
world we live in–our stock air box with an upgraded panel filter was no longer cutting it. We knew that one trip across one
of Baja's infamous silt beds would seriously overpower our filter, so a better solution was a must.
I love this truck...Cummins diesel kicks ass! The AEM intake/filter is nice too. This truck is by far one of the nicest off-road diesel trucks I have seen on and off-road.
Off-Road Videos - Check out over ten years of extreme 4x4 action, product testing and the Off Road Nation at play. Baja racing to rock crawling, ATVs in the sand to motorcycles in the dirt, it's all here. Rate them, share them and upload your own.
ATV Reviews - Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Kawasaki, Can-Am. First rides to long-term tests, check out the latest in ATVs, UTVs and Side-by-Side vehicles of every make and model. Read expert opinions and follow custom project vehicles.
Axxxtion Sports..... Axxxtion Sports is heating things up with their 2010 Winter Heat snowmobile calendar! Simply Sexy!
Posted 2008-05-13 11:44:05.0
