I just came back from testing out my 2000 Durango with its new AirAid CAI ( cold air induction). Installation is as they claim. About 30minutes for the throttle body spacer and about 45 minutes for the CAI. I spent nearly 20 minutes trying to get the right tools out of my box. never would have guess that nearly all the bolts and screws were metric on the D but it's no wonder. Once I had all the proper tools it was just a matter of following the instructions. One note. There is an addendum for 2000-2003 5.9L Durangos. It requires the moving of a bracket and the relocation of the cruise control line and its vacuum source. A neighbor stopped by about the time I was doing this and offered a good tip. Move the fender bracket first but don't disconnect the cables and hose. Once the bracket is free and relocated 3" forward you can slide the filter in and on the tube. This is a great time saver and possibley will keep you from snapping the plastic clip that holds the cruise cable in place.

On the test drive I noticed that the engine copmpartment seemed quieter and that the vehicle did breath better. Off the line performance is still some what sluggish, but it is smoother now. I think there is something to the reported hp gains and the low/mid range torque increases, but I'll wait and see how it goes after the next tank or two of gas. I am hopiing to see a small MPG improvement too. Next up will be the cat back exhaust frommagnaflow, but hunting season is here and I need to save my pennies for that.

 

I put on the airaid cold air induciton on my 2002 Durango and noticed a much deeper growl from under the hood under power along with better response. I've just started charting the MPG increases, but so far, after three tanks and a lot of 'testing' the power (with foot on the floor...) I've seen 2-3 mpg gains. I think if I drove it better I could see more. I have noticed another noise under the hood when it's revving down. Sounds like a vibration, but I was wondering if it's something you noticed or if it's just that I can hear more with the stock airbox removed.

 

You got 2-3 MPG increase? That's alot for just a cold air induction upgrade. Still leary to get one for my 5.9 as I am avg 11-12 in town at best but maybe worth a try. I wonder if the Mopar version is as good? I like to keep all Mopar brand is possible to preserve the factory look.

 

Kensai- I thought about that Mopar induction also, but it was nearly double the price. I put the TBS and CAI on and I am starting to feel more of the performance. I am looking at the numbers of the first full tank after the change too. One other factor that I threw in( and it hurt at $2.81 a gallon) wa 89 Octane gas. I took a 100 mile round trip today and my milage jumped from a wobbly 6.6MPG ( first few miles in city traffic) to nearly 12mpg. We'll see if it keeps climbing.


I did notice more growl after the truck had a few miles to settle in with the new parts. There is a whistling sound at the momnet the butterflies open in the TB. It takes some getting used to as it's not very loud and it sounds very much like a belt squeek starting but it goes away quickly. I have noticed more smooth power for passing. My D has 3.55 gearing and it pulls off theline but doesn't generally squeal tire or break loose, ust hooks up. Now though it hooks up with some boogie. I can hardly wait to put the cat back exhaust on and see if that doesn't really help the breathing.

 

Is it unusual that my 2000 SLT with the 4.7l can easily break the 31" A/T's loose from a stop?

 

I can't say for certain. I know that my Durango didn't but does quite easily now.I may also have been babying the truck more too as I had just purchased it and then crashed it and had it repaired. I find I am not as agressive in someways as I once was and maybe more so in others.

Oh I turns out the previous owner did put a Flowmaster on this rig and I am still getting about 12MPG in mostly city driving while lugging a xfer case.

 

I bet you have 3:73/3:92 gears and since you have those 31's, must be 4x4 flavor? That would certainly assist in breaking loose your tires from the pavement!