There are probably threads on this topic already, so forgive me if I missed it because I couldn't find it.

I noticed that the air filter feeds right into............THE FENDER. This is an idiotic design as you probably know. What do you think the best way to aspirate this motor is given the circumstances in which it is set up...
Is it just me, or is the stock set up with the air flow a little bit dumb...

The best way on our trucks is through the fender... It is all cold air coming in, the only mod that really needs to be done is the snorkel removal modification and thats pretty much it. There isn't really any other way to get a true cold air intake on these trucks. You can find information about the snorkel removal in the FAQs iirc...

Best way is through the fender. True cold air. If you take a look at the intakes Banks is developing they draw air through the fender as well.

I know, it seems kind of counter intuitive at first but it makes sense once you think about it.

I agree to a point but me and the father soon to be in law both moved our passenger battery to where the factory airbox is and mad a sheet metal box that houses the filter and seals it to the core support, where both of us hogged it out to get more air to flow. any way this dropped my iats alot and also gave the air astrait shot to the turbo vs the over 90 degree bend if wanted i can get the girlfriend to take a picture. there is also a few guys on here that already have some pics ofthe same set up already posted on here