aFe Twisted Steel Raw Headers — Jeep Grand Cherokee / Dodge Durango 5.7L

Twisted Steel raw headers for listed Grand Cherokee and Durango 5.7L HEMI applications

The aFe 48-38029 header pair uses 1-5/8-inch mandrel-bent 304 stainless tubing, MIG welding and heavy-duty factory-style laser-cut and machined flanges. Uncoated raw stainless finish. Current exact manufacturer coverage is Grand Cherokee 2011–2021 and Durango 2011–2026, specifically gas V8 5.7L HEMI. Factory exhaust connections and original catalytic converters are retained; these are headers, not a complete cat-back system or exhaust-tip kit.

Key Features

• Selected aFe part 48-38029.
• 1-5/8-inch mandrel-bent 304 stainless primary tubing and 100% MIG-welded construction; no TIG or flange-thickness specification is substituted.
• Uncoated raw stainless finish. The coated pair shown in one gallery image is an alternative-finish reference, not additional supplied headers.
• Two selected headers, one gasket set, twenty M8 bolts, one dipstick spacer and four flange bolt/nut pairs in the current formal bill.
• Factory exhaust connections require no cutting or modification according to the primary. Temporarily removed original catalyst pipes and oxygen-sensor connections are restored.
• The selected guide removes and restores the ECU and bracket, airbox/intake tube and engine cover; this is access work, not ECU programming.
• Manufacturer states not CARB exempt and unavailable for purchase in California or use on California DMV-registered vehicles. Confirm other applicable requirements and exact eligibility.

Fitment

Current exact manufacturer independently lists Grand Cherokee 2011–2021 and Durango 2011–2026, gas V8 5.7L HEMI only. Each exact-MPN retailer table was read independently. The original Grand Cherokee named ranges remain; Limited X 2019–2021 and Trailhawk 2017–2021 are supported additions. Durango named scopes below replace the raw product’s blank-trim range and supply missing coverage on the coated product. The 2018 OEM engine availability and complete weight tables show SXT and GT with 3.6L only, so retailer 2018 GT/SXT positives are not adopted. Actual 2026 GT/GT Plus/GT Premium must have 5.7L HEMI; the name alone does not approve a V6. Every row requires actual 5.7L, including R/T years with other engine choices. No Grand Cherokee 2022, 6.4L, supercharged engine, intervening-year gap or sibling procedure is inferred.

Specifications

What's Included

• The 48-38029 kit includes two selected raw headers, using the right/left identities listed above.
• One header gasket set 05-46093; twenty M8 x 1.25 x 25 mm bolts 03-50421; one dipstick spacer 03-50759.
• Four 3/8-16 x 2.25-inch bolts 03-50420 and four matching nuts 03-50568. Reuse the specifically identified factory dipstick bolt.
• Original catalyst pipes, oxygen sensors, ECU/bracket, airbox/intake and cover are retained and restored. No new catalysts, oxygen sensors, cat-back exhaust, tips, filter or coupling are established as supplied.

About aFe Power

aFe Power develops application-specific intake, filtration, exhaust, cooling, tuning, suspension, drivetrain, and truck-performance components supported by product testing and documented installation requirements.

Related Parts

• Exact selected headers, construction, finish and current applications
• Complete current 26-step guide, formal bill and diagrams
• Selected manufacturer-linked general-Headers Durango chart
• Full independently read exact-MPN named table
• Manufacturer-authored 2018 engine availability and weight tables
• Current Durango engine-qualified trim information
• Shop headers and manifolds
• Shop aFe Power

FAQ

It is a pair of raw 304 stainless MIG-welded headers for the documented Grand Cherokee and Durango gas V8 5.7L HEMI configurations, with the selected gaskets and hardware.

No. Every listed configuration requires the actual gas V8 5.7L HEMI engine. The 2018 GT/SXT retailer entries conflict with OEM engine tables and are not adopted; 2026 GT-family names must be checked for their actual engine. No 6.4L or supercharged engine is approved here.

No. The bill lists raw and titanium-coated alternatives. This selection supplies two headers, one right and one left in the chosen finish, with one gasket set and the listed hardware.

No. The guide temporarily removes both original catalyst pipes for access, then reinstalls both pipes and reconnects the original oxygen-sensor wiring. It does not authorize catalyst or sensor deletion.

The selected instructions unplug and remove the ECU and mounting bracket for access, then reinstall them and reconnect the harness. They do not prescribe a tune, flash or coding operation.

The right dipstick bolt must be identified, retained and reused with the supplied spacer. Both heatshields are removed, but the current guide does not say whether or how they return. Obtain aFe confirmation of the final shield configuration before installation.

No. The linked general-Headers chart is one 2020 Durango R/T test without exact finish identification or full conditions. Same-rpm and separate peak differences are distinct. No ceramic heat-reduction claim applies to the uncoated selection.

Use applicable manufacturer head-bolt specifications from the center outward; the current guide gives no numeric torque. Re-tighten all hardware after 50–100 miles. The product is not CARB exempt and the manufacturer prohibits California purchase or use on California DMV-registered vehicles; verify exact eligibility elsewhere.

Installation Instructions

1. Confirm aFe 48-38029 against the exact vehicle and installed equipment. Inventory the actual components and follow the selected manufacturer instructions and current vehicle service requirements.
2. Confirm exact vehicle, actual gas 5.7L HEMI engine, selected finish, contents and emissions eligibility. Read both current guide pages and obtain aFe clarification of the final heatshield disposition before work. Allow the vehicle to cool and use proper support and protective equipment. Leave exhaust fasteners loose until the complete assembly is positioned.
3. Safely raise/support the vehicle, disconnect the negative battery terminal, remove the factory exhaust and unplug original oxygen-sensor connectors. Unbolt and temporarily remove both original catalyst pipes, retaining their sensors and all required components.
4. Remove the engine cover and intake tube/airbox. Unplug the ECU harness, then unbolt and remove the ECU and its mounting bracket for access. This does not prescribe ECU programming.
5. Work on the RIGHT side first: remove its four heatshield nuts and shield, then nine header bolts. Record and retain the particular factory bolt securing the dipstick tube. Remove the factory header and clean the head sealing surface appropriately.
6. Install the right selected header and gasket with supplied M8 bolts, retaining the original dipstick-tube bolt and adding the supplied spacer as shown. Tighten head bolts from the center outward to applicable manufacturer specifications; no number is printed in this guide.
7. On the LEFT side remove its four heatshield nuts/shield and ten header bolts. Remove the header, clean the sealing surface and install the selected left header/gasket with supplied M8 bolts. Tighten from center outward to applicable manufacturer specifications. Resolve the unprinted final shield configuration with aFe.
8. Restore the ECU and bracket and plug in its harness. Restore the intake tube/airbox and engine cover. Reinstall both original catalyst pipes using the four supplied flange bolts/nuts initially finger tight.
9. Reinstall the factory exhaust, then tighten catalyst-pipe flange fasteners and reconnect the original oxygen-sensor wiring. Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Align all components with safe clearance from wires, hoses, brake lines, body and tires; no fixed clearance dimension is specified.
10. Start and check for leaks, correct any leaks, then safely lower the vehicle. Re-tighten all clamps and hardware after 50–100 miles. No old band-clamp numeric torque, cutting, motor-mount removal or fuel-line service is borrowed.

California Proposition 65 warning: this product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.