Air intake question

[Holeinmysox]

First off I'm a newb with golf carts. I've worked on many cars in my day though so I'm not entirely mechanically challenged. Can you guys tell me where exactly the air is drawn into the air box? I removed the air box and see it connects to a flat plastic air intake of some sort that runs under the cart and up to the front. I ran my hands along that and it seems sealed with the exceptions of a couple places where I could insert a couple fingers. Is that where all the air comes into the air box? It seems like such an odd design. Seems like the front tire is throwing dirt and mud all over where the air is being drawn in. Mine was clogged with mud so no air could get to the air box. There has to be a better way. I see talk of a K&N filter, is that mounted directly to the intake hose and bypassing the air box? I know these carts were designed with a golf course in mind but ours is driven on dusty/muddy trails so I can see this air intake getting clogged time and time again. Just trying to get an idea of the best option as far as changing the air intake. This cart isn't lifted or anything at this point.

[Seafarer12]

There is a little air horn that is in front of the floorboards. I have been thinking about modifying mine and get rid of all that ducting. I was thinking of taking that all out and putting some flat plate under the box. Then getting a small hole saw and making some holes around the bottom of the air box. I don't run mine through any deep water so the plate should shield it from water or mud. As far as dust it gets everywhere. If it becomes a problem I might put some prefilter material around the holes. I was going to epoxy some screen wire over the holes to keep critters out.