Yesterday I removed my AFE stage 2 intake system and went back to a stock airbox. My truck is a 2003 and the airbox is supposedly from a 2006. It seems to fit as it is supposed to except I could not get the airbox opening to sit flush against the little foam gasket around the hole in the fender.

There is about a 1/2" gap between the outside of the airbox and the foam attached to the fender where the holes match up. Is there supposed to be another piece or gasket? Does it not fit flush? All of the mounts are seated tight and other than the gap it all went together fine.

 

It probably won't line up, I'm sure the molding is different over the years.

Not terribly important, as long as the seal between the airbox and the filer is tight.

Just fill it with some two sided tape or the like... you're not going to notice a difference, just a little bit warmer air from the engine compartment entering the air box.

 

I pulled my stock airbox out a couple years ago to run a BHAF. When I decided to go back to the stock airbox mine doesn't seal that well either. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

My foam disintegrated years ago so there's over a 1/2" gap at the opening. Not a problem.

MikeyB

 

I have '05 stock airbox in my '03. It has hole in the bottom with a pipe on it. I still need more air but aftermarket CAI aren't any good? Why are you guys switching back.

 

I've heard many concerns about the oiled filters on the cold air intake systems. I was going to put on an upgraded Amsoil filter but I ended up picking up a stock airbox instead since my truck is pretty stock overall. I didn't care for the extra turbo noise with the CAI either, so I'm happy with the stock box. I do a lot of off-road driving, so dust filtration is a big concern to me.

I'm not sure if it's a fluke or not, but on our holiday roadtrip I was getting 1-1.5 MPG better than I would expect for the driving I was doing after switching back to stock. I'd heard that the CAI probably wouldn't improve mileage much, but I wouldn't expect it to reduce the milage.