Ford AIS compared to Stock
 

I recently bought a 2001 F-250 7.3 power stroke. It had a paper air filter element, so I bought the AIS from Rock Auto. I was surprised to open the box and see that all the plastic components looked exactly the same as what was already on the truck. Does that mean the used truck already had the AIS on it, or is the AIS an exact replica of the stock air box, with the only difference being the air filter element? The reason I ask is because one of the bolt holes on the new filter housing was broken in shipping. I'm wondering if I can just reuse the existing air box, as it appears to be identical, or is there something I'm missing here (stronger plastic, different depth, etc.?)

Pictures ?

The Ford AIS has a different box and element than stock.
Here is what the AIS is supposed to look like:

Ford (Donaldson) Severe Duty Air Intake AIS | Superdutypsd.com

There are two links on that page that have the Ford or Donaldson brochure.

Newer looking one is AIS

<a href="http://s880.photobucket.com/user/ghostriderr6/media/IMG_20131003_074031_335_zps1e61001a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac4/ghostriderr6/IMG_20131003_074031_335_zps1e61001a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20131003_074031_335_zps1e61001a.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s880.photobucket.com/user/ghostriderr6/media/IMG_20131003_074019_395_zpsaf0e3be8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac4/ghostriderr6/IMG_20131003_074019_395_zpsaf0e3be8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20131003_074019_395_zpsaf0e3be8.jpg"/></a>

Part number for AIS

<a href="http://s880.photobucket.com/user/ghostriderr6/media/IMG_20131002_132008_723_zps621dbb30.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac4/ghostriderr6/IMG_20131002_132008_723_zps621dbb30.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20131002_132008_723_zps621dbb30.jpg"/></a>

Glock, I tried to rep ya for those pics, but apparently I've already repped you one too many times recently.

Subscribed for Shake N Bake's link. (Whose page is that? Nice page!)

Ford AIS
 

Thanks, glockholiday, that is exactly what I needed to see! I couldn't find a photo of the stock air box anywhere on the internet. Turns out the truck I bought already had the AIS components on it, but for some reason the guy went back to the OEM filter, (and cut a big hole in the top of the intake tube that extends from near the radiator back the air box). That's good news, because now I don't feel bad using the old air box. Thanks for all the replies!

And as a nod to Rock Auto, they dealt with the issue immediately and credited me back a portion of the purchase price, so in then end I was able to get the new air intake pipe to replace the one the previous owner modified, and the AIS filter element for a reasonable price.

How do you fit a square peg into a round hole?

The stock airbox air filter is rectangular. The AIS air filter is oval. I don't get how an OEM filter could be fitted to an AIS housing.

Then is wasn't the stock OEM filter….it was a AIS shaped filter but it was paper.

Tape...

Just saying.

MTFarmer... good move negotiating with Rock Auto to keep the new geniune AIS blue Powercore filter manufactured by Donaldson, as opposed to continuing with the lower cost white paper replacement.

I can only guess that the white replacement filter was made because customers couldn't stand the thought of paying $70.00 for a filter element (despite it's superior design, lasting 3 times longer than cheaper replacements). Apparently, some customers believe it is cheaper to replace a $25.00 element 3 times, than a $70.00 element one time.

How often on average are guys replacing the AIS filter?

that depends on the conditions you drive in....mine will be done every 10-15k

I try to limit driving my truck to only those times when a truck is actually needed. That may or may not be average, but at the rate I'm currently going, I expect I will need to change my AIS filter about once every 7 to 10 years. I'm still on my original AIS element.

By contrast, I changed the OEM stock air filters at least once every year. The stock filter pleat tips would become blackened with soot and oil. When I installed the AIS, I also installed a Racor CCV filtration system. I believe that the CCV filtration system helps reduce the fouling of the air filter, which might contribute to longer service life of the new air filter.

Is the AIS setup on Rock Auto FA1759?