Heh, heh,heh... Great minds go in the same mudhole...
I just installed a FIPK on my DAK last weekend. I noted some of the
same issues [horrid instructions, useless pictures, have to bend
brackets..] and I think I understand the cracking issue... If you
*dont* bend brackets, you put alot of stress on the tube...
*And* my bottom mounting stud came loose....
[excerpt from Chat..]
BarrySuperhawk: bottom bolt came loose... PISSED
flynrtdkota: how?
BarrySuperhawk: got it ziptied right now
flynrtdkota: what bolt?
BarrySuperhawk: the center of the old airbox...that bolt. it spins got
the locknut on half way, just enough to make it difficult to remove...
BarrySuperhawk: can't get to the back of it without removin a bunna chit
flynrtdkota: the center of the old airbox?
flynrtdkota: explain
BarrySuperhawk: the mount for the bottom of the shield... it mounts on
a stud...
flynrtdkota: right...
BarrySuperhawk: no it aint right...lol
BarrySuperhawk: it spins
BarrySuperhawk: :'-(
flynrtdkota: the part that is in the bod?
flynrtdkota: body?
BarrySuperhawk: yeah
flynrtdkota: still got the nut to go on there?
flynrtdkota: put the nut on-- when you go to tighten it, hold the stud
with a pair of pliers
BarrySuperhawk: it's on there...but not tight... and now stud is
spinning and I cant get to the back of it to hold it...
BarrySuperhawk: not enough room for pliers without buggering the threads..
BarrySuperhawk: I could get it if I pulled the whole mess back out...but
the TB stud did not cooperate either, so now that it's on, I think it's
staying for a bit..
flynrtdkota: best to un do it-- and do it right
flynrtdkota: it'll save you later
BarrySuperhawk: it's only the shield..it isn't going anywhere...and it's
not structural...
Terrible Tom wrote:
>
> I clicked the Ram back over on full coverage insurance, so I'm back
> behind the wheel again. Oh it feels good! The battery died yesterday
> however... 6-7 years on the OEM acid box! Not too shabby! I threw my
> yellow top Optima in there for the time being, as I don't feel like
> popping for a new battery right now.
>
> I bought a K+N FIPK Gen II unit and just installed it today. I gotta
> tell you I was NOT that impressed with it. For the money, $289 + tax -
> it should have been much better than it is. I was expecting better
> quality and a more complete, vehicle specific, kit. I had to modify
> stuff to get it to work.
>
> The instructions read every step of the way "assemble as shown" the
> pictures were terrible quality, small and grainy. It only took me an
> hour and a half to install it - not bad - but I had to stand there and
> scratch my head to figure it out a few times.
>
> The kit said to use a bracket for 94-97 models.... I ended up having to
> use that bracket anyway on my 01... The intake tube hits the AC line,
> and the smaller AC line rubs on the heat shield. I went and bought some
> plastic split loom and put it over the AC hoses to protect them.
>
> The support arm that bolts to the manifold and supports the intake tube
> didn't fit right and I had to bend it to make it fit. They supply a new
> EVAP mounting bracket, to relocate the solenoid, vent, and canister...
> The OEM bracket has the bolt for the vent canister, threaded into the
> bracket. There was no provision for that on the replacement bracket,
> and I have to figure out a way to secure it with a bolt. I ziptied it
> to the bracket for the time being. The overall fit of the heat shield
> is not good. There are far too many gaps for my taste. I wondered for
> a moment if I even got the right kit?
>
> In all honesty I can't feel much difference in how the truck responds. I
> noticed the throttle IS quicker - but that could be due to the fact I
> cleaned the TB and the IAC. I'm interested to see what happens to the
> fuel economy. Granted the way I drive... it might not show anything.
>
> I have a check engine light on, but I forgot to connect the wire harness
> back to the EVAP canister, so I'm not worried. Pretty sure that is what
> tripped it.
>
> Next mod is a muffler, and when I get time, the M1 manifold. I had to
> get the truck back in service because I need to haul yard waste outta
> the property, and a neon isn't suited for that task :)
>
> Dak related info:
>
> I located Christine's fuel leak - and when I started her up - oh it
> sounded good :)
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon May 07 2007 - 19:04:36 EDT