Yeah probrably not a good idea doxx, will get damaged easily cause lots of rocks and such and fly up there, not to mention bits of tar etc etc.. Unless you mesh around it or something, but then that restricts the air further..
As for the airboxes, wouldn't it be a good idea to put a k&N panel filter on and then just use a larger air intake scoop thingy, or a custom CAI pipe leading into the airbox itself??