Banks Power 13-17 Ram 2500/3500 6.7L Ram-Air Intake System - Oiled Filter

If you drive a 2013-2017 Ram 2500 or 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins and you are chasing lower exhaust temperatures on a long pull, a little better fuel mileage, or just an intake that does not need a new paper element every few oil changes, this is the Banks Ram-Air kit 42255 with the reusable oiled filter. It replaces the factory air box and tube with a sealed Banks housing and a much larger filter element, and Banks rates it at up to 66 percent more airflow than the stock system.

What the Ram-Air intake does on a 6.7L Cummins

The turbo on a Cummins can only compress the air it is fed. The factory box on these trucks works, but the element is small and the path from the fender opening to the compressor inlet is restrictive. The Banks kit uses an enclosed housing so the filter breathes outside air rather than heat soaked air from around the engine, then routes it through a smooth tube to the turbo. Cooler, denser air at the compressor means the engine makes the same boost with less work, which is where the power, mileage and exhaust temperature gains come from. Banks says the kit was developed with computational fluid dynamics, then on a flow bench and on the truck.

The oiled element traps fine dust in a light film of oil on the filter media. It is washable, comes pre-oiled from Banks, and needs no oil before the first install.

Signs your stock intake is holding the truck back

• Exhaust gas temperatures climb fast when towing up grades with an otherwise healthy engine
• The factory filter loads up quickly in dusty or farm use and you replace elements often
• Fuel mileage has dropped and the filter keeps coming out dark at every service
• You have added a tuner, boost tubes or an intercooler upgrade and want the intake to keep up

An intake will not fix a mechanical problem. A truck that shifts hard, flares between gears or goes into limp mode under load usually has a transmission or sensor fault, not an air problem. Read our 68RFE Ram 2500 Cummins common problems guide before blaming the intake.

How to confirm it is the right upgrade

Pull the factory filter and look at it. If it is dark and caked, start there. Check the intake tube and couplers for cracks, and scan for any stored codes before and after the swap so you have a baseline. If you tow heavy, log exhaust temperature on the same hill before and after so you can see the change. Trucks with a transmission that is already running hot should also get a fluid check; our 68RFE fluid type and capacity guide covers the correct ATF and fill.

Fitment

This kit fits 2013-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups with the 6.7L Cummins diesel. The California Air Resources Board lists 42255 for 2013-2017 Ram with the Cummins 6.7L under Executive Order D-161-126, so it is emissions legal for those years. Banks also publishes a single install manual for 2013-2018 trucks, but the listing and the CARB order stop at 2017, so 2018 owners should confirm with us first. Cab and chassis trucks and the 2019-up body are different; send us your year and VIN if you are not sure. Want the same kit with a dry element instead? See the 42255-D dry filter version. For the transmission side of these trucks, browse our 68RFE parts collection.

Install notes

• Disconnect the battery ground cables on both batteries before you start.
• Tools from the Banks manual: 3/8 inch drive ratchet with metric sockets, standard and Phillips screwdrivers, pliers, a 5/16 inch nut driver and a T-30 driver.
• Your factory Ram-Active Air actuator motor and forward door move into the Banks housing. Leave the actuator connector unplugged until the manual says to plug it in, or the motor can rotate to a position that blocks assembly.
• The MAF and IAT sensors move to the Banks tube, and the MAF gets the supplied O-ring. The PCV hose may need a trim so it does not kink.
• Keep hoses and wiring at least 6 inches from exhaust heat and moving parts, then check every clamp before starting the engine.
• Do not over-oil the element when you service it later; extra oil can coat the MAF sensor.

Pairing the intake with the Banks boost tube upgrade kit or the Techni-Cooler intercooler keeps the cold air path consistent all the way to the intake manifold.

Will the Banks 42255 fit my 2018 Ram 2500?

Our listing and the CARB executive order cover 2013-2017. Banks uses a 2013-2018 install manual, but confirm with us using your VIN before ordering for a 2018 truck.

Is the 42255 intake legal in California?

Yes for 2013-2017 Ram trucks with the 6.7L Cummins. It carries CARB Executive Order D-161-126, and you place the replacement emissions label if your stock air box had one.

Do I need to oil the filter before install?

No. The element ships pre-oiled. Oil it only after washing it during later service, and use a light even coat so you do not contaminate the MAF sensor.

Do I need a tune after installing it?

No. The kit reuses your factory MAF and IAT sensors, and the CARB approval is based on running the factory calibration.

Oiled or dry filter, which should I pick?

The oiled element is washable and holds a lot of fine dust between cleanings. The dry 42255-D version uses no oil, so it is the easier choice if you would rather wash and go without re-oiling.

Does it keep the Ram-Active Air door?

Yes. The factory actuator motor and forward door are transferred into the Banks housing during install.

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