Chuck's Big Horn build

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Gunner Actual

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2012
Posts
83
Reaction score
33
Ram Year
2012
Engine
5.7
Awesome build. So nice to see somebody else take a lot of pride in these ramboxes
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
been a while! I've been side tracked with work and a ton of other stuff. Figured I'd post since I just put the Mopar CAI on order for my truck. Vararam was great but honestly I do so much driving and am so busy that I just don't have time to service the thing myself.

Figure this way the Ram dealer will take care of it for me when I bring the truck in for service, which is about every 2 months at this point with how much I'm driving.

Pics to follow once it's installed!
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
Alright took a bit but here are some pics of the Mopar CAI. I'm seeing better mpg's than I was with the Vararam (by about 1 full mpg). I've noticed that the truck sounds a lot deeper and louder when idling. Acceleration seems to have improved too!

I always ignored the though of the Mopar CAI because of the price but finally decided to make the change. Have to admit I got it as a birthday present but I would definitely say I'm getting more out of the truck than I was with the Vararam.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1414618606.637351.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1414618655.357511.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1414618673.635141.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1414618606.637351.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1414618623.787108.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1414618655.357511.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1414618673.635141.jpg
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
9,507
Reaction score
17,683
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
That looks awesome! What does the inside of the air box look like? I'm assuming it's a special filter?
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
Thanks! I appreciate it. It's basically just a fancy cover to make the CAI look really nice and clean. Without the shiny outside, it would just look like the normal Mopar CAI. Pulled this off Google to reference what it would look like since I'm not near the truck right now.....

mopar%20cold%20air%20intake.jpg
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
and the tubing they shipped me is a bit different. To be honest I was surprised at what I got (in a good way) because I've never seen a Mopar CAI setup that looks like mine haha
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
9,507
Reaction score
17,683
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Oh I see so its a conical filter. That's pretty neat it looks like something that would be on a stock RT
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
Yea I agree, I'm really happy with the way it looks. I've been trying to find a good looking engine cover. I've had my stock cover off since I got the Vararam over a year ago. I might grab one of the more flashy Hemi engine covers off ebay and see if I can make it fit on the truck somehow.
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
9,507
Reaction score
17,683
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Yea I agree, I'm really happy with the way it looks. I've been trying to find a good looking engine cover. I've had my stock cover off since I got the Vararam over a year ago. I might grab one of the more flashy Hemi engine covers off ebay and see if I can make it fit on the truck somehow.
I ordered off ebay an orange vinyl cut out for the "Hemi 5.7L" on the stock engine cover. There was a thread on here somewhere announcing these were for sale. Came out pretty well...
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
I ordered off ebay an orange vinyl cut out for the "Hemi 5.7L" on the stock engine cover. There was a thread on here somewhere announcing these were for sale. Came out pretty well...

Oh cool, that sounds perfect. I'll look into that I appreciate it!
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
Oh I also completely forgot to post that I also added the BakFlip HD Aluminum Tonneau Cover to my list of mods. A little pricey---ran me about $1,100 with installation. but totally worth it. They claimed it wouldnt keep my bed completely dry from the rain but so far it has!

I highly reccommend it.
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
And here are some pics of it. It's an awesome mod if you constantly have stuff in your bed like I do. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1415295929.777006.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1415295943.216823.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1415295957.716596.jpg
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
9,507
Reaction score
17,683
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Oh wow those look awesome. I would be a little hesistant to go with that though due to all the engine heat...i'm not sure. I might just keep looking around for a factory one that looks a little better.

Or I could always just plasti-dip mine haha
I was thinking that too. However I've had mine on for 8 months now and its holding up very well. I figured for the money and the quick install it was worth it.
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
Hmm interesting. Thats good to know, i'm always skeptical about what engine heat will do to stuff like that.
 
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
Well apparently I've caught the mod bug again. Just bought LEDGlow's 60 inch LED strip for under the tailgate. Should be getting it early next week. Only cost me $54 with shipping and runs the full length of the tailgate. Has brake light, turn signals, full white LEDs for reversing, and hazard capabilities so should make for a much more visible/safe truck!

I'll throw some pics up when I get it installed.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
chuck

chuck

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Posts
3,439
Reaction score
408
Location
Maryland
Ram Year
2013 True Blue Big Horn
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
So here it is. Had my mechanic put a second 4 pin connection under the truck and connect it to that. So it hides all the wiring. And I still have the original one available for towing.

This might is one of my favorite mods so far. It looks amazing and definitely improves the visibility of the truck.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1415834197.853365.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1415834226.729987.jpg
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
211,418
Posts
3,066,399
Members
171,880
Latest member
bradstephens25
Back
Top