Deckplate Mod BEWARE

So for the longest i have been considering doing the deckplate mod until yesterday morning. I was coming off of a red light and then my truck just died. no acceleration power watsoever. The truck would start but wouldn't idle. So i figured it was bad gas ( i filled the night before). I call my uncle to bring some fuel stabilizer. we put it in and it did nothing. pop the hood and take a look around and theres nothing outta the ordinary.
I call AAA to have it towed and while we wait my cousin opens the airbox. My airfilter is chewed with a hole straight through it and a rats on the bottom of the airbox. we take the nest out and try to start with nothing in the box, nothing. while were waiting we kick the nest around a bit and there are baby mice that were just born (still red and size of fingernail). needless, to say luckily all they chewed was the filter and thats what i sucked up and caused me to stall.

Point of the story: if they could make it up through my regular intake, then they can surely make it into a 4" hole in my box. Deckplate mod: out of the question now!

 

So - you are saying..... because Rats already found a way into your truck it will keep you from doing a mod that shown actual gains as far as performance? Don't get me wrong, it sucks to have rodents in your engine, but if the vermin found their way in before - maybe the deckplate mod would have allowed them easier access to leave

 

I installed screen over my opening, cost maybe a nickel....

 

how long did your truck sit for rats to have time to make a nest in your air box? ....most people drive their junk daily, so i don't see it being an issue.

 

Short Ram Intake FTW. Ain't no rodents getting in my intake!!

 

Thats what we in the industry refer to as logic, haven't seen much of it latley.

The only reason I can see that it they stayed is because the couldn't climb back out. Did sucking up the peices of you filter mess anything up?

 

Fricken Rats!

 

Yep, I did the same. Used a square of the extruded aluminum that they sell at home depot for protecting your gutters from leaves and whatnot. cost all of $1.50 and took about 10 minutes.

 

Thinking the same thing.

 

Knee jerk reaction.

 

Don't get on the OP because rats got in his truck. Squirrels and mice were always getting to my trucks, cars, motorcycles,ATVs, tractor, and UTVs even when I keep them in the garage. I always keep stickums and rat poison around but they still get in. I have screen on all my filter boxes.
My wife took her truck in for an oil change and the air filter box was full of Walnuts.
Some mice got in my a/c blower and made a real mess.
Constant battle with the critters.

 

Im more amazed that the rat made mice

 

If they can chew a airfilter, they can chew up a short ram intake filter too.

 

I wouldn't opt it either. The people that have done it have all been happy with it. No regrets for them. Yes it is an unfortunate thing that it happend to you. But honestly what are the odds of it happening again??? And like the others said, you can get a screen for cheap and fix this too. And like others said if you drive it normally it shouldn't happen again. I would still consider this mod for you. Makes a big difference and I would say you would still be pleased with it.

 

Maybe an alternative to the deck plate is the Uni filter vent. Commonly used in motorcycle and ATV filter boxes to allow more air.
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...ebCatId=27&keyword=GEAR+BOX&prodFamilyId=6786
Put them on the back side or bottom of the filter box so you don't have to worry about the water entering? I haven't looked inside my filter box lately but does it have a drain in the bottom like my motorcycle filter boxes? Might be a good idea to drill a few holes in the bottom to allow any water to drain out. Of course if you intend to submerge your truck it don't matter.

 

That must of been a heck of a breezy and noisy home.

 

Any pics and a "how to?"

 

That isn't always the case. I had a rat make a nest in between my battery and fender, and I drive the truck at least 3 times every day.