The Dodge Ram 1500 DS has carved out a loyal following in Australia among owners who want genuine American truck capability in a right-hand drive package. The conversion process that makes these vehicles road legal here is a significant undertaking, and the engine bay layout that comes out the other side is not the same as the factory left-hand drive configuration. That difference matters when it comes to aftermarket modifications, particularly intake upgrades, because components designed for a standard Ram simply won't fit a converted DS correctly.
That's the exact problem the Radius Fabrications Passenger Side 5 Inch Snorkel for the Dodge Ram 1500 DS was built to solve. This is a purpose-built snorkel and airbox solution for Ram 1500 DS models that have been converted to right-hand drive by ASV (Walkinshaw), designed and fabricated in-house at our Capalaba, Queensland workshop to account for the specific engine bay layout that ASV conversions produce.
Why RHD Conversion Vehicles Need a Dedicated Intake Solution
A Ram 1500 DS converted to right-hand drive by ASV has a fundamentally different engine bay configuration compared to a factory left-hand drive vehicle. Components that were on one side are now on the other, and the guard geometry, intake routing, and available space all change with the conversion. Running a standard snorkel template on a converted vehicle won't produce a clean, properly sealed result because the template was never designed around that engine bay layout.
We fabricate this kit specifically for ASV-converted DS models, which means the snorkel position, the cutting template geometry, and the airbox dimensions are all matched to the ASV conversion layout rather than a generic Ram specification. This level of specificity is what makes the kit actually work on these vehicles rather than requiring significant modification to a product that was never designed for them.
It is important to note upfront that this kit currently suits ASV (Walkinshaw) conversions only. If your Ram 1500 DS was converted by a different remanufacturer, contact us before ordering so we can assess compatibility with your specific conversion layout.
5 Inch Marine Grade Stainless Steel Construction
The snorkel is fabricated from 5 inch marine grade stainless steel throughout. The step up to 5 inches compared to the 4 inch diameter used on many other snorkels is deliberate. The Ram 1500's engine is a larger capacity unit with higher airflow demands, and a 4 inch intake path can create a restriction that limits how the engine breathes under load. The 5 inch bore provides a less restricted flow path that suits the engine's requirements without needing to compromise on intake diameter to make the fitment work.
Marine grade stainless was selected for its corrosion resistance properties, which are well suited to a component permanently mounted to the exterior of a vehicle. Every snorkel is TIG welded in-house at our Capalaba workshop, with finish options available to suit different build directions.
Finish Options
The Ram 1500 DS snorkel is available in four finishes: polished stainless, powder coated black, seamless polished, and seamless powder coated black. The polished finish highlights the quality of the marine grade stainless and suits builds where the snorkel is intended to be a visible feature. Powder coated black offers a lower-profile result that integrates more quietly into the overall appearance of the vehicle. Seamless variants remove the external TIG weld join visible at each bend on the standard finish, which suits builds where a fully smooth exterior surface is required.
The current style available is rear facing, which positions the intake head to deflect water and debris away from the opening rather than collecting it directly. For a vehicle of this size and weight used in serious conditions, a rear-facing configuration is a practical choice.
The Airbox Component
The airbox supplied with this kit is CNC cut from aluminium and fitted with an acrylic lid, giving you a clear view of the filter condition without dismantling the intake housing. It comes fitted with an Aeroflow AF2711-0870 high-performance filter, which is included in the kit and can be sourced from most automotive stockists as a replacement when it reaches the end of its service life.
The acrylic lid and Aeroflow filter combination means you have a complete, functional airbox from day one rather than needing to source filter components separately after fitting.
What's in the Kit
The kit includes the 5 inch stainless steel passenger side snorkel, a CAD-designed cutting template, mounting brackets, and fitting instructions. The cutting template is an important component for a product like this, where the guard cut needs to align precisely with the ASV conversion layout rather than following a generic Ram guard template.
After ordering, we require your Ram's year model, photos of the engine bay and passenger-side guard, and confirmation of your remanufacturer. This information allows us to verify your conversion layout against our kit before fabrication begins, which is standard practice given the variation in engine bay configurations between different DS builds.
Aerial Relocation
One fitment detail that DS snorkel owners need to plan for before installation is the aerial. Fitting the passenger side snorkel requires the aerial to be relocated to the opposite side of the vehicle with new wiring. This is not a minor detail to overlook after the fact, so planning the aerial relocation as part of the overall installation scope rather than discovering the conflict mid-installation will save time and frustration on the day.
This is one of the reasons professional installation is strongly recommended for this kit.
Professional Installation Recommended
Installation of the Ram 1500 DS snorkel and airbox kit is a large, technical job. We strongly recommend using a professional installer rather than attempting this at home. If you're located in South East Queensland, installation can be carried out at our Capalaba workshop directly. We can also provide a list of fitting partners in other areas for owners who can't bring the vehicle to us.
The complexity of fitting a made-to-order kit to a converted right-hand drive vehicle, combined with the aerial relocation requirement and the precision needed for a clean guard cut, means this is genuinely a job for someone with experience in this kind of modification work.
No Tune Required
No engine tune is required after installation. The system is designed to improve airflow without affecting the factory ECU calibration, so the vehicle can be driven normally following a successful installation without any additional workshop visits for tuning. The kit is also not compatible with supercharged Ram 1500 DS setups, as the design is based around the standard engine configuration.
Fabricated to Order in Capalaba
Every kit is fabricated to order at our Capalaba, Queensland workshop. Because of the variation in engine bay layout between different ASV conversion builds, these kits are not held in stock and are produced specifically for each vehicle based on the information and photos provided after ordering. Lead times apply and current wait times are available by contacting us directly.
We operate under a no change of mind policy consistent with the custom made nature of this product. Getting your year model, photos, and remanufacturer details submitted promptly after ordering keeps your production slot on schedule.
If your ASV-converted Dodge Ram 1500 DS needs a proper intake upgrade that accounts for the specific demands of a right-hand drive conversion layout, the Radius Fabrications Passenger Side 5 Inch Snorkel is built for exactly that application. Head to the product page to select your finish, or contact us to discuss your specific conversion before ordering.