ZooDad Mod...Need Help

[my19997.3]

Hi all. I'm new to the diesel world and I kept seeing alot of people's signature list the ZooDad mod. I just finished Googling the mod to find out more about it. It seems fairly easy to install (not hard just time consuming). For anyone with the mod all ready, is there a noticable different to before the mod and after? Are there any tips or tricks to install the mod? After the hole is cut in, what is generally installed in the engine compartment to carry the air up to the intake? Should this mod be only installed if the person is using an aftermarket intake? Is there a difference in intakes...K&N, AFE, S&B, etc? and final question, are they worth the money to install?
I'm sorry for the lengthly post, but I need someone's experience on this. Just afraid if I try to do too much without asking, I could be asking for trouble.

[silverF250]

Tip. I used a stepped drill bit to drill the four corners and then used a sawzall to cut it out. It lowersegt anywhere from 50-100 degrees. You can make a little tunnel out of sheetmetal to connect the airbox up. One guy used outlets from gutters and put them through the header panel. I just cut the whole in front of the airbox and put some wire screen over the hole to keep bugs out. It can be used with a stock intake. Most people are going to stear you away from a oiled filter such as K&N, they tell you that you will get dust particles past the filter and into the turbo. They are also concerned with the oil that you put on the filter and gumming up the compressor wheel, IMO you don't get anymore oil than from the CCv. Search DIY tymar intake.

[tubular031]

I used the dremel tool with a cutoff disk. Not the best cut but it works. Then you can use a sanding wheel to make it look better.

Did it make a difference? Maybe, but from my driving I did not feel anything. I then did the DIY intake and that made a difference that I could feel. And it was only 30 bucks I think? I ended up cutting away most of the stock plastic so my zoo dad is not that functional other then letting air through the wall. Soon ill make something to funnel that air more towards the filter. Just have not gotten to it yet.

[PwrStrokinDually]

4" grinder here. 15 minutes from start to finish removing and installing the grill.

[jostaman]

Use large hole saw. drilled 2 hole and just smoothed the sides. grinder

[strokin_early_99]

I used a Rotozip to cut the hole. 5 minutes to cut(and 2 rotary cutting bits, that darn fiberglass is thick) and 10minutes of dis-assembly and reassembly.

The drop-in K&N does not seal like it should and it has been suspected to be the cause of dusting an engine or two....or three....or four.....

[my19997.3]

Thanks everybody for the input. This past weekend (12/29) I put the ZooDad in. It was a cake job! I cut the hole in the fiberglass for the duct. I cut a thin aluminum sheet, folded it to create an air duct to direct the air into the the existing black duct. Used rivets (only thing I had laying around) to secure the aluminum and used paintball netting as a screen for the opening. Drove last night through some snow and sleet (then some mudding) and no water was in the duct... Wish all mods were this easy!!