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Add Cabin Air Filter to 4th Gen for less than $20

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127K views 217 replies 116 participants last post by  Ramdandy  
H
#1 ·
I found some info about this mod on another forum, so I did a write up there with pictures. Here is a copy of that write up:

As many of you know, Dodge decided that our 4th Gen RAMS do not need cabin air filtration.

I disagree.

Fortunately enough, it is very easy and rather inexpensive to add this feature to our RAMS.

TOOLS NEEDED:

(1) Sharp boxcutter or X-acto

PARTS NEEDED:

(1) Filter box 'lid'. Dodge part number 68052292AA (About $11)
(1) Cabin Air Filter. Dodge part number 5058693AA, OR, Purolater C25869 ($7), Hastings HAAF1328, or Wix 24578

(These parts are all "OEM" for a 2010 Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Compass, etc. They will not be found by searching in any parts book under 'Dodge Ram'!)

Step 1. Remove lower glove box by gently pulling inward on both sides where the 'ears' are.

Step 2. Locate the filter slot area, which is shaped like a short, fat "T". Using the sharp tool of your choice, cut out the area just inside of the "T". You do not need to cut out the lower 'leg' of the "T", just go straight across. (Refer to pic)

Step 3. Slide in filter with airflow arrow pointing down. The filter, when properly installed, will protrude outside of the slot some. It will not be 'flush'.

Step 4. 'Snap' on the lid. You will need to press on the little 'ears' on each end of the lid (marked with blue tape in pic) until you hear a 'click'. This 'locks' the lid into place.

Step 5. Re-install glove box, and done!

The only "hard' part is trimming out the slot, but the material is pretty thin,,, Just take your time,,,

Future servicing of this filter is super easy!!! Takes about 2 minutes, most of which will be spent emptying the glovebox!
 

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#4 · (Edited)
Eh, well, I can't take credit for the mod as I found the info on another forum.

BUT, it is a pretty slick way to add what I feel should be 'standard equipment' on our RAMS!!!

The information I found was posted by a Dodge tech who had a 2010 RAM 2500 'ranch truck' come in with 16k miles on it and a plugged up A/C evaporator. He had to disassemble the whole ventilation system and clean it all up,,,, Big $$$,,,

Anyway, he got to looking at the ductwork, and as they say, "The Rest is History!!!"

I understand the Challengers (or was it Chargers) have a similar mod they can do as Dodge decided they didn't need cabin air filtration either,,,

Rans, I'm 'right there with ya',,, I thought for sure the RAM would have a C A F,,,, (Why not? My 00 Silvy and the wifes 02 Accord had/have one!!!)

When I found out the RAMS don't have a cabin air filter, I researched the subject and came up with a alternative 'fix' from the 'cab fresh filter company'. They actually have a filtration system that attaches to the 'outside' of the RAMs ventilation system intake grills, located on the top of the firewall just under the rear edge of the hood.

They have 2 layers of polyester 'filter' material and a layer of activated charcoal. I ordered the set up direct from cab fresh for about $60. Replacement filter media was about 17 bucks.

I have a pic that kind of shows the cab fresh set up below.

Of course, now that I can have a "OEM' paper filter system, I'll probably won't use the cab fresh system anymore after their filters fill up.

FWIW, Cab fresh DOES make a similar system for the 3rd Gen RAMS. (Thats how I 'found them')
 

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#11 ·
Jeepers, I hope he's throwing in a reeeeeally nice box cutter for that kinda $$$!!! Heh heh heh!!

Can't blame 'em for trying I guess, but,,,,

Myself,,,, E-bay is NOT my 'one and only stop' when it comes to mods,,,

Better off to go to some forums and do a little research before you decide "Oh, that's a nice idea, where do I click to buy this??" :doh:

At LEAST Google whatever it is you think ya might wanna do! I just searched 'cabin air filter 2009 ram' and about 3/4 of the way down was the listing for where I originally found the information,,,
 
#13 ·
Great info! Thanks for posting. :rep:
 
H
#14 ·
Thanks everyone!

FWIW, I posted the exact same thing on "Dodge squawk" and the response's were 'more varied',,,.

"Never had one before, don't need one now", "Void your warranty", "Burn up your compressor", "Waste of time",,,

Jeesh! Some of us here obviously visit both boards, but it's pretty 'interesting' on the difference in commentary,,, On 'squawk', by some of the comments received, you'd swear that this mod was 'outrageous, drastic, dangerous, unlike anything on any other vehicle, and just simply unheard of' :i_rolleyes:

The only thing's that I can think of as to why this isn't 'standard' on the 4th Gens is perhaps because earlier Gens didn't have CAF and/or ductwork that could be easily modified to accept a CAF system.

Perhaps Dodge is trying to 'unify' the HVAC systems, i.e., same fan/ductwork dimensions for many different models.

But why have the filter slot covered then? Might be to save $10 cost per truck. That's a million $ saved on the production costs of 100,000 trucks.
 
#16 ·
:stupidpeople:

Oh yah....and I've heard that it can lead to premature failure of the left rear turn signal, heat warp of the rear stabilizer bar and worst of all, has been know to cause a coffee cup in the front holder to cool off quicker! :SHOCKED: This is a very dangerous mod for those that make a lot of left turns while drinking coffee! :wow:

Oh.....and it has the most profound effect on white trucks! :Wow1:

If anyone actually believes any of this, I know a great Toyota forum that would welcome your gullibility! :hah:
 
R
#41 · (Edited)
Here is a funny story about timing. When I ordered the door I ordered it or an Avenger they told me Avenger does not have a cabin filter . So I bring him to the car and show him, he opens it and no filter, can you imagine.but before all this he asked how many kms on car I said 35000 and he said and you want to change the cabin filter already, the car is gonna be 3 in July if it had a filter I would expect it would have been brought up and changed already. I do remember having vehicles that had them and one year was when I changed it. Anyway... So we went to Napa and bought one since they wanted 25 for a cheap paper filter. Then this RAM solution came along so I figured I would do the factory filter, cheap paper, they claim it has a HEPA filter but nothing bout it on the box, anywhere, just some dealer knowledge.... Anyway we at testing to see which one is dirtier quicker, I think the charcoal one in the Avenger should last longer but we shall give them both a chance. Now the Avenger gets driven twice as much so we shall have to account for that somehow.
Funny a door on it and no filter and dealer says no new style Avenger's to 2010 have a cabin filter. He was not sure of th 2011. I think there is suppose to be a filter there and they just did not want to give me one. I should have just test driven a car with one like a Caliber and took it out, like someone probably did to me! Next time LOL but I will trade dirty for clean LOL and put it in back wards.
I am kidding you know I would not do that to anyone pure ignorance.
 
#23 ·
I know I already said I was going to do this MOD, but I have been putting it off. Well, last Saturday I was helping some friends cut up some trees and we were chipping some brush. We get three trucks loaded with chips, getting ready to take it to the dump, I brush my self off real good, get in the truck and notice lots of saw dust on the hood and window sills. No big deal, I'll just use the A/C. Ummm, that was stupid, got a nice "POOF" of saw dust in the truck. So, long story short, this MOD just moved up the list.
:doh:
 
R
#29 ·
Checkthis I call the dealer, our 08 Avenger has the cover take it off no filter...it is an option. Now this is the kicker none of the new Avengers have it they say but the door is available. The cover from my sons 08 with fit mine if I trim it out.
Rock Auto lists a cabin filter not the Wix number listed but Napa Auto lists the Wix filter to fit an Avenger why doesn't the dealer? I am so losing confidence, now they have to reprogram my HVAC and if it sound messed up they have to rip my truck apart. Oh man do I ever not like that idea. I have to go in a take out my Lock Pick since it is right there where they will need to work.
 
R
#33 ·
Not an option they said the Avenger does not have a listing for a cabin filter. Anyway, it;s the same door the one on my kids car fits but the one I bought has a bent tab so it won't stay on I cut mine out with a Stanley exacto or carpet knife, actually my son did it for me.
I called dealer told them the door I just bought wont stay on because it has a bent tab. He says whats your vin...told him no VIN doing a mod on my ram he said oh, told him their are line where you are to cut it marked right on the area and its the same cover just the one they sent my was probably on the bottom of something for a while since he said it was last one and it will take 5 days to get it and I have to pay ahead I said I already paid, I want warranty. He said I have to bring that one back, I said I need it till you get that one. I told him already I taped it on it holds. He said then leave it like that . I told him get me the part and call me when it comes it. He said no I said fine.For some reason he called back and said sorry and he will call me when it comes in. Nice to know some people some places.
 
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