In our relentless pursuit for Fantastic Four candidates, we shook the phone tree until this '02 Dodge Ram 2WD 4.7L pickup fell out. The truck's owner takes regular trips to a holiday home in a rural part of Mexico, so the truck had to retain its ability to navigate bumpy roads. That being the case, we went with a 6-inch suspension lift kit from Fabtech, 35-inch Nitto Dune Grappler tires, and Hot Wheels Custom Rims by KMC wheels. A dual-sport exhaust from Gibson Performance and a sealed air-intake system from True Flow rounded out the modifications just peachy. JBM Motoring Accessories in Orange, California, installed the parts for us quickly and professionally. Read on for the juicy details.
Before
The True Flow sealed intake...
The True Flow sealed intake system was laid out before the installation.
The factory air inlet tubing...
The factory air inlet tubing and air filter were removed. Here, the True Flow pre-oiled filter was dropped into the factory airbox.
The aftermarket inlet tube...
The aftermarket inlet tube was attached to the factory airbox and the throttle body. And that was it.
Here you see the Gibson Performance...
Here you see the Gibson Performance dual-sport exhaust kit.
The OE exhaust was cut just...
The OE exhaust was cut just after the hanger that held up the pipe leading from the catalytic converter. Then, the aftermarket headpipe, with its own hanger, was installed.
Then came the muffler, which...
Then came the muffler, which was slipped into a brace that was hung from the factory grommet into the frame.
Here is one of the tailpipes...
Here is one of the tailpipes that leads from one of the two outlets into the new muffler. You can see in the far left of the photo the opening in the muffler for the other tailpipe that is yet to be installed.
Both tailpipes were bolted...
Both tailpipes were bolted together near their exit point.