Cold Air Intake for Dodge Ram 1500 (2002-2007) 3.7L 4.7L Engines

The Wrench Time

• Estimated Time: 45-60 Minutes
• Difficulty: 3/10 - The bolt-on work is simple, but you will be fighting 20-year-old, heat-cycled factory plastics. Take your time.

Tools You Will Need

• 10mm deep socket & ratchet (for battery terminal, factory airbox bolts, and heat shield mounting)
• 8mm socket & 5/16" nut driver (for loosening factory clamps and tightening aftermarket silicone couplers)
• Panel popper tool (to safely pry and release wiring harness push-clips from the factory intake without snapping them)
• Silicone spray lubricant (mandatory for safely transferring the factory IAT sensor)
• Utility knife (for trimming the supplied silicone breather hose to the perfect length)

Phase 1: Removing the Factory Part

1. Disconnect the Battery: Always start by isolating the power. Disconnect the negative battery terminal using a 10mm wrench. This prevents accidental shorts and forces the ECU to clear its fuel trims for the 2002-2007 Dodge Ram Ram 1500 Ram 1500 3.7L 4.7L.
2. Unplug the IAT Sensor: Locate the Intake Air Temperature sensor on the front-facing side of the factory intake tube. Depress the locking tab on the grey harness connector, slide it off, and tuck the wire loom out of the way.
3. Loosen the Throttle Body Hat: Using an 8mm socket, loosen the worm-gear hose clamp securing the large plastic resonator box (the factory "hat") directly onto the top of the throttle body.
4. Disconnect the Breather Hose: Carefully wiggle and detach the factory crankcase breather line from the side of the resonator. Use your panel popper tool to pop off any plastic wire loom retaining clips anchored to the factory tube.
5. Extract the Factory Airbox: Remove the two 10mm bolts securing the lower factory airbox to the passenger-side inner fender. Grab the entire assembly (box, tube, and resonator) and firmly pull straight up to dislodge it from the rubber locating grommets on the bottom. Lift it out of the engine bay.
6. Salvage the IAT Sensor: With the factory system sitting on your workbench, firmly grab the IAT sensor. Gently twist it counter-clockwise while pulling outward to unseat it from the rubber grommet. Set it aside in a safe, clean spot.

Phase 2: Installing the Cold Air Intake

1. Prep the Aftermarket Tube: Push the supplied rubber grommet into the pre-drilled hole on your new aluminum or plastic intake tube. Give the inside of the grommet and the base of your factory IAT sensor a quick shot of silicone spray. Firmly push the IAT sensor into the grommet until the locking lip seats completely.
2. Mount the Heat Shield: Assemble the new heat shield panels using the supplied hardware. Drop the assembly into the factory airbox footprint, securing it to the fender using your 10mm socket and the OEM bolts. Press the supplied rubber edge trim around the top rim of the shield to seal it against the hood.
3. Install the Throttle Body Coupler: Slide the provided silicone step-down coupler onto the throttle body. Slide two hose clamps loosely over the coupler. Tighten the bottom clamp directly onto the throttle body using your 8mm socket.
4. Route the Intake Tube: Feed the new Cold Air Intake tube through the opening in the heat shield and slide the top end into the throttle body coupler. Align everything so the tube sits flush without rubbing on the alternator housing or AC lines, then tighten the remaining clamp with your 8mm socket.
5. Connect the Filter and Lines: Slide the high-flow conical air filter onto the end of the tube resting inside the heat shield and tighten its clamp. Connect the supplied silicone breather hose from the engine’s oil filler neck port to the welded nipple on the new intake tube (trim with a utility knife if necessary). Finally, plug the factory wiring harness back into the IAT sensor until it clicks.
6. The First Startup Protocol: Reconnect your negative battery terminal with a 10mm wrench. Start the truck, but DO NOT touch the gas pedal for at least 20 seconds. Let it idle untouched. This gives the ECU time to calibrate to the newly increased airflow volume without triggering a Check Engine Light.

Disclaimer: This is a general guide provided for the 2002-2007 Dodge Ram Ram 1500 Ram 1500 3.7L 4.7L. Always refer to your factory service manual for exact torque specifications and safety procedures.