My '11 SLT

[Nesto1000]

You don't need that truck... give it to the less fortunate! Like me...

 

[JHemi1]

when you pry it from my cold dead hands!

 

[Thor09]

Nice looking truck...welcome!

 

[JHemi1]

overdue "updates"


before the leveling kit:





after putting a 2.5" HBS leveling kit on the front.



Pic doesn't really do it justice. On a flat parking lot, the truck went from hot rod rake to almost perfectly level. Night and day difference. No noticeable effect on ride quality.


Hellbent Steel kit used:

2008-2012 2.5" Dodge Ram 1500 Leveling Lift Kit
Part Number: 125-250-001
2.5" Dodge Ram 1500 Leveling Kit for independent suspension 4X4 models
(2008-2012 Non-Mega Cab models)

 

[JHemi1]

Magnaflow time. Man, what a decision this was. I think that I watched 1000 videos 1000 times each. 14" 18" 22" 24" Which one which one which one.

Finally decided on the 24". I couldn't be happier. Meaty deep tone from the outside when idling and accelerating; yet not loud or cackly. You can hear it inside at highway speed, but not an annoying drone at all. About 10k miles on it, and it has gotten a hair louder, but still extremely happy. Perfect for a DD. I've had several people tell me that it sounds great.

K&N drop in went in at the same time as the muffler. I went with the Mufflex kit (from them direct to avoid imitations) over getting the Magnaflow and piecing it together. Fits perfectly and you can do it yourself in under an hour. Spray the old bolts and hanger rods in advance to help yourself out. Mine slid right out.

Do yourself a favor though: pick up a couple of $5 3" U-clamps before you do it. I read that the Mufflex clamps left a lot to be desired, and yes, they were subpar and did not seal for poop.

For reference:





Slide the back hanger onto the Magna, snug it down, and use one of the 3" clamps at the actual joint.


Some vids. Quality is "meh" but hey, I tried lol

OEM startup
OEM Muffler Startup - YouTube

OEM acceleration
OEM Acceleration- YouTube

Mufflex startup
Mufflex Magnaflow 24 kit start up - YouTube

Mufflex acceleration the day after I put it on, loose clamps and all.
Mufflex Magnaflow 24 Acceleration - YouTube

I need to do another vid now that it's not leaking anymore and the muffler has burned itself in and gotten a little louder

 

[JHemi1]

Better breathing on a budget. With the K&N drop in installed, might as well give it 3x as much air for $20.

Parts courtesy of Lowes:




I Dremel'd the grate out of the pvc. Not the smoothest job, but it works.




Box as it sits




Take it out, find your spot in the corner, mark it





Since my Dremel skills were el suck, I went with the 3" hole saw. Went through the box like butter.



Oh no, the Hemi is hungry



Shove the pvc piece into the hole, clamp the duct to it (it will be a ******* to get on and get tight enough), reinstall the box, and run your duct wherever you want.

 

[Sagebrush2500]

Wow - great improvisation...how well's that working?

 

[JHemi1]

Seems to be working well. Had the clamp slip off right after I initially installed it, retorqued and hasn't budged since. Butt dyno notices a little difference, especially when passing at highway speeds. Seems to have more oomph at 60+. Well worth the $20/30min.