[brad12kx]

NOTE - This mod applies to 4th Generation Rams Only!

Today I had a half hour of 100% free time. Not long enough to clean the truck, so decided to do a mod instead.

Cabin Air Filter

Here are the Dodge Avenger parts that were used.

I started by emptying the lower glove box, then squeeze the sides in to release the tabs that stop it from falling out.

Just lift up slightly and out it comes.

Looking in though the hole you will find the airbox with an outline that matches the cabin filter cover for an Avenger. When cutting out, stay inside the raised rib.

This next part is optional, but I find that removing the fan to be able to reach inside is very helpful in removing the piece you cut out. Here is what the fan assembly looks like when in position. I had already removed the back screw before snapping the pic.

Here I have marks the 3 screw locations. They remove real easy with a 5/16" nut driver. Don't forget to unplug the fan motor wiring.

About 20 seconds later, the fan is out. Hmmm....I wonder what the flat rate is to replace this item......

Here is looking up into the airbox where the fan normally sits.

The air box modification tool of choice.

This is the plastic after removal. I find it easier to cut straight across the bottom and remove/optionally remove the the small lower tab. It is completely unnessessary to remove this small lower tab, but the embossing is there, so I just couldn't leave it. No one will every see it, but 'I' will know it's there... :shakehead:

Here is the opening after all the knife work is done.

To Be Continued.......

 

[brad12kx]

Time for the filter (p/n 05058693AA) . I'm sure they could have found a bigger box.....but....maybe not.....

Taking careful note of the air flow direction arrows, install the filter. It just slides in, and sticks out a bit (~3/4"). It's a little tricky to slide in, as the hole is partly blocked by the dash. I only took about 10 seconds of patience to slip it in with any damage.

Next, the cover (p/n 68052292AA).

Slip the cover in place, and press the 2 end tabs toward each other. They will 'click' once in place.

Put the fan back in (about 30 seconds) and this is what it should look like.

Here is comprhensive list of tools.

This mod took a total of 25 minutes. Had I not stopped to take pix, it would have been between 10 & 15 minutes.

Couple of items of note -

1) Make sure you have 'sharp' knife with a good point. I DO NOT remommend using a knife with break-off blades (even the HD version). You will be putting a fair amount of pressure on the knife, and a break-off blade would likely lead to injury.

2) Went cutting out the plastic, cut the bottom first, then the top. If you cut the top first, there is nothing substantial to hold the bottom, so there is some (not a lot, but some) risk of breaking the housing.

3) With the fan removed, you can easily reach inside to puch the plastic piece out. Wit the fan in place, you may end up droping the piece into the fan, and will have to remove it anyway, so for the 60 seconds it takes to R&R, it's well worth it.

 

[brad12kx]

Total cost was $45/00 taxes included. The cover is the cheap part...$11.

 

[brad12kx]

Know did you do this becuase these rams dont have a cabin filter? or because its easier to maintence?

Little of both. In the fall, my Hay Fever drives me nuts, so have always installed some sort of cabin air filter in my trucks. Also, I like to keep my truck clean inside and out, and a cabin air filter sure helps reduce the interior dust. In the case of the 4th gen Rams, this is such a great way to filter the air, as it also filters the re-circulated air when the AC is on max. The only 'difficulty' in changing the filter, is you have to remove the lower glove box, but that only takes 10 seconds....so not too big of a deal.

 

[brad12kx]

Get a filter lower priced than the Dodge part: Dodge part number 5058693AA, Purolater C25869 ($7), Hastings HAAF1328, or Wix 24578

I checked around here for the aftermarket filters, and the best I could do was order it with an undetermined ETA and undetermined shipping cost, so I opted to get the one 'off the shelf'. I am hoping to find one that has a charcoal layer to also clean the smell out of the air.

 

[brad12kx]

Out of curiosity how often does this filter need to be changed?

Can't say for sure, haven't had it in long enough to know. I have read that Dodge recommends changing this filter every year in the vehicles that come with it, but like any other filter out there, the conditions of use will determine the replacement regularity. If you only drive gravel roads, you will be replacing it more often. :4-dontknow:

 

[brad12kx]

Thanks RAMTX and Platinuminjected.
There is great side benefit to this mod. I park in a gravel lot with semi's going by every 5-10 minutes, so get a lot of dust on my truck, which as soon as I start it, is transferred to the dash, seats, etc. I have to clean my interior every day or 2. Now that I have the filter, I haven't cleaned the interior in 2 weeks, (other than vacuuming the floor mats) and it's still good. :smileup:

 

[brad12kx]

I'm gonna have to see if I can't do this to my 3rd gen truck......!

I wish I had known about this stuff when I had my 3rd gen trucks. I would have ripped it apart to see if this was possible. I wish I could say one way or the other if it was possible, but will have to wait for your analysis.

 

[brad12kx]

I hear you on the hay fever....but mine is worst at this time of year. Harvest dust is my nemesis. Since I installed this filter, and it's only the basic Dodge one, I have no harvest dust issues while in my truck. :smileup:

And I'm not here for the reps....but sure appreciate them. I'm here to share my passion for my Ram truck with like minded people, and boy have a learned a lot on this forum. I'm just happy that something I did has helped a few others out.

 

[brad12kx]

Nice job on the write up. I'm going to find out if I can get these pieces tomorrow. Have you noticed any decrease in air flow at all?? dash vents or defrost vent???

Haven't noticed any decrease in airflow, but I did not check it with an air flow meter....might have to do that sometime for curiosity sake.
Only thing I noticed was a slight difference in the sound of the fan at the higher speeds.....and the lack of dust on the dash the day after a good cleaning. :smileup:

 

[brad12kx]

Nice find man!
I was trying to look for a 2007 but not dice, post if you by chance find a link. LOL. Thanks for sharing!

There is no sweet way of doing this on pre-2009 Rams.

Does this work on the 2009?

Yup, You bet! :smileup:

 

[brad12kx]

Before I empty out the glove box, anyone know if this is doable on the 2012?

Very nice Mod by the way!

:smileup:

The 2012 I did for a friend was identical. If you open the glove box and look under the dash, you can see the filter opening.

There is no sweet way of doing this on pre-2009 Rams.

Is there even a spot for a filter to go on 3rd gens?

Yes.....No. :wow:
You can add a cabin filter to a 3rd gen Ram, but it's a filter screen/plate/thing-a-ma-do that's installed into the air intake at the windshield. I understand that they do work well, but have no personal experience with this. :4-dontknow:

 

[brad12kx]

I'm sure it poses a minor restriction to the air flow, but I sure don't notice it.

 

[brad12kx]

Inside the raised edge.

 

[brad12kx]

I hope they gave you a loaner vehicle while yours was in the shop for this 'major' repair.

 

[brad12kx]

Alright...... Maybe im just backwoods ignorant, but nothing answerd the question i have. Where is this filter or whatever. It sounds like a great mod and my kids would benefit from this. Thanks yall!

Sorry, but this will not work in your 2006 Ram. It applies only to the 4th Gen trucks (2009+ 1500.....2010+ 2500/3500)

 

[brad12kx]

Your welcome. I have come to really enjoy the benefits of this mod. My hay fever doesn't bother me at all when I'm in the truck, and I don't have to dust the interior every second day. I can get away with almost 2 weeks before the dust starts to show. :smileup:

 

[brad12kx]

The airflow is down, so the air filter should be placed with the arrows pointing down. The air flow arrows on the filter cover are correct.

 

[brad12kx]

I was very happy to discover that it was this way. A benefit of this design is the dirt sits on top of the filter so gravity is always assisting in keeping the dirt on the filter during removal. Also when you filter the air on the intake side of the fan, the fan benefits from this cleaner air and a clean fan will perform at it's peak potential longer then a dirty one.

 

[brad12kx]

Sorry. :sad: Your 2009 HD Ram is still a 3rd generation body so this mod will not work. The HD Rams did not update their body to 4th generation until 2010.