I've been getting conflicting information on air filters and what's good and what's not. The mechanic that fixed my truck tolds me never to use a breather. Someone else told me that they collapse and restrict flow. A manager at a local parts store told me not to use an oiled filter just a dry one for the same reason. I picked up an original air box to convert back to original. the guy that had it said he had been a big rig diesel machanic for 37 years and to not use breathers either.(His wife was selling the old boxes against his advice). So I was thinking about putting in a
k&N cone in the oroginal box, doing away witrh the breather assebly altogether. Any thought on this?I have an air raid (I think oil based breather) right now that seems to be collapsing). You seem to get an opinion on every person you talk to.

 

I got my truck 2 years ago used with 42K miles.
it had a cone type K&N oil type air filter in the std air box.

after reading (some good, some bad) reports on these sites about K&N air filters.

I pulled the air filter out and ran my hand back up the air duct toward the motor, rubbed my hand against the sides of the air duct.
my hand came out covered with a white powder substance.

so I wiped out all the white powder substance I could and installed a regular mopar 4" thick std air filter.

truck runs great and I feel much better about the quality of air that is flowing to the motor.

the old K&N filter is in a box in my garage and will remain there until someday I throw it away.

Just my two cents: the engine cost too much to take a chance on poor quality air.

 

I went the rounds on filters with my '03. I found the stock set-up with a taller Wix(Napa) or AC Delco paper filter was the best.

Amsoil & Fleetguard were too restrictive, they sucked the filter minder down and returned lousy mpgs.

The 1st generation of S&B oiled filter let too much dirt through, you could see dust in the intake tube. Returned great mpgs right after it was cleaned but then they'd decrease after a couple of weeks. Pain to clean and dry as well.

Stay away from K&N, they let too much dirt through. Here's some light reading for you on the subject: http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

Also, I swiss-cheesed my stock airbox, but it didn't help any.

BHAF (do a search) might work out for you, never tried that.

 

Wow! thanks for trhe info. I was just about to go buy a cone K&N as soon as I installed the original box but Y'all stopped me in my tracks. I think I'm going to go for an AC delco. Unless I misread the tests, it sounds like thats by far the best choice. Thanks again

 

Wix 49946 are available for $87.30 @ www.discountfleetsupply.com. Very reasonable shipping. This is the 4" stocker.

 

Napa usually has the Wix for less than $30, AC/Delco is usually a little more. Both are pretty good, AC/Delco does a bit better on the tests.

 

I`ve been running a K@N air filter now for about 4 years with absolutely NO dust getting into the air tube. You must ensure that the rubber seal around the top of the filter seals around the top of the air box ON ANY FILTER or you will get dust leakage.Just my 2 cents.

 

james that K&N filter is decreasing the engine life at a fast rate. do a search and call cummins. cummins has been warning of the the K&N for two decade's now and Chrysler will void the warranty on a dusted engine for this reason.

 

That's their price for six.

 

Genos Garage has the Mopar 53034249 4" stock filter for $27.50 each. I like 6 for $87.30 much better. I am not sure which manufacuter makes the Mopar filter but I have always found Wix to be quality filters.

L8r,..........dogger

 

A side bar, mine isn't a daily driver and mice built a nest with paper towel etc in chamber sucked indicator to red. I cut a 1/4" wire mesh and screwed to inside of housing ,no more issues there

 

I have have been using a Magnum AFE Cold Air Intake Stage 2 filter system on mine since day one, never have had a single issue with dirt or dust in anything or any restriction, just my .02 worth.