'07 upgrades begin!

[caulk04]

Welp...the new year is here and, as usual, I'm spending money on the truck :)

Before:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/caulk04/DSC05484.jpg

Got my SS inserts put in last sunday (ordered friday at 4:30pm, arrived saturday 11:00am...I live close to Summit) but haven't done the hood release...might not bother either.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/caulk04/DSC05551.jpg

Picked up my Safari bar from my paint guy today. He brought up the idea of using chip gaurd for a base to give it some texture...needless to say I liked the idea.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/caulk04/DSC05553.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/caulk04/DSC05554.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/caulk04/DSC05555.jpg

I have new foglights on the way to replace those yellow stockers and my tires are supposed to arrive for my R/T wheels mid week (I know, finally!).

Also, a good shot of my 1pc'ers and LED's

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h185/caulk04/DSC05552.jpg

[Y2KOTA]

Nice work! Like the job on the Safari bar :biggthump

[Cgballin2002]

That looks alot better.

[DAKSPORT1PA]

Looks great. With the safari bar painted and the grill inserts it really cleans up the front end. :biggthump

[CrazyKevin]

Oh man i love your freaking truck good work! :mullet: :biggthump :drive:

[RagingRedR/T]

Love the safari bar... how much work was it to put in LEDs for the turn signals? Are they any brighter?

[AmberFireDaK]

That looks awsome.....good decision :clap2:

But how do you plan on openeing the hood without the release relocator?

[slvdak]

sweet man
with the Safari bar painted, it cleans up the truck even more
and same question about the leds as RagingRedR/T

any plans on color matching the mirrors????
:mullet:

[caulk04]

Thanks!!! :bow:

The 3157 LED's can be found at www.autolumination.com The 194 ones were bought by the body shop at Advance Auto...I like them. The 3157's you see as 'white' are white as a running light, but amber for a turnsignal so you won't get pulled over and they look SUPER cool. The above website calls them 'switchback'. The amber ones (and red in my tails) are 'light tower II' as I recall.

They are very bright, though sometimes it doesn't seem like it from the driver's perspective because they don't create the glare that incandescent bulbs (IE - you see lots of reflection coming back when your turnsignals are on).

Last thing to remember about the LED's is that you need a load resistor for EACH BULB for the signals to blink properly.

I've thought about painting the mirros, but seeing as they are the big folding ones, I'm not sure they'd look too good painted a light color. :huh:

But how do you plan on openeing the hood without the release relocator?

Shit...I never thought of that! :cussing:






Just kiddin, I always have tools with me and a screwdrivers works the hood latch just perfect. I'll get around to doing the relocater sometime, but I'm in no hurry.

Thanks again guys! Can't wait to get rid of those fogs and get R/T wheels on it!

[01SilverDak01]

Your Throwing down a Challenge to build a Better Silver Dakota! :nana:

It looks like I'm gonna have to step up! :woot: :biggthump :banana2: :jester:

That is Really Nice Work!

Maybe after the Weather gets better in the Spring we'll have to arrange a GTG and shoot some Pics of both Silver Dakotas from SW PA!

[HemiDak]

Looks 10x better! :biggthump

[Jasoon]

Looks great, painting the safari bar was the right decision.

[wicks01dur]

wow that looks good
ive always been a fan of color matching :biggthump :biggthump

[Anthony]

looks amazing!!!

[DakotaLivLrg]

Looks good man :biggthump

[deaver]

Looks great man, awesome job, looks deadly

[Taz_FL]

your truck looks awesome, I like the new mods

[caulk04]

:bow: :bow: :bow:

Thanks a ton guys!!! I really appreciate the comments!

Its a good thing that the dirt doesn't show up in pictures soo well...cause its friggen dirty and winter is KILLING me! :rant:

[2000Quad]

I've thought about painting the mirros, but seeing as they are the big folding ones, I'm not sure they'd look too good painted a light color. :huh:




your rearviews are tiny compared to mine...lol

[wreckless123]

Wow, looks great!

[realdeal7369]

Thanks!!! :bow:

The 3157 LED's can be found at www.autolumination.com The 194 ones were bought by the body shop at Advance Auto...I like them. The 3157's you see as 'white' are white as a running light, but amber for a turnsignal so you won't get pulled over and they look SUPER cool. The above website calls them 'switchback'. The amber ones (and red in my tails) are 'light tower II' as I recall.

They are very bright, though sometimes it doesn't seem like it from the driver's perspective because they don't create the glare that incandescent bulbs (IE - you see lots of reflection coming back when your turnsignals are on).

Last thing to remember about the LED's is that you need a load resistor for EACH BULB for the signals to blink properly.

I've thought about painting the mirros, but seeing as they are the big folding ones, I'm not sure they'd look too good painted a light color. :huh:



Shit...I never thought of that! :cussing:






Just kiddin, I always have tools with me and a screwdrivers works the hood latch just perfect. I'll get around to doing the relocater sometime, but I'm in no hurry.

Thanks again guys! Can't wait to get rid of those fogs and get R/T wheels on it!

got pics of how the led lights got hooked up and what size resistor did you use? i wanna do this for mine too. but was insure as to what size one to use. you have the tails done too?

[Dak04ota]

I just used a coat hanger for my relocator...kind of a pain in the ass, but who opens their hoods daily? Well ok some of you are freaks about your engine bays but not me! :biggthump

As I pmed you the truck looks awesome...but I gotta say it and I'm sure it's a thorn in your side as well and it's something I'm just waiting for to happen to me. The fog lights! But I'm sure you already have new ones in the plans!

[caulk04]

your rearviews are tiny compared to mine...lol

You have the 'dumbo' ones? The ones on mine replaced those ones...I think dodge figured out that they didn't really fit. I love mine and wouldn't think of going to anything different.

got pics of how the led lights got hooked up and what size resistor did you use? i wanna do this for mine too. but was insure as to what size one to use. you have the tails done too?

The LED's are direct replacement, they just go in like a normal bulb. The resistors have to be placed in the circuit (hot side) for the signal bulb. Make sure its the wire for the signal, not running light. I have all of mine wired into the front signal wires so that they don't heat up when my foot is on the brake. I'd also recommend mounting them to the chassis or something metal and sealing the connections up well (solder and heatshrink)...I wish I did. Mine are all inside under the dash.

but I gotta say it and I'm sure it's a thorn in your side as well and it's something I'm just waiting for to happen to me. The fog lights!

Yeah, they are on order already...I said that in the post :nana:

[BAD]

Looks awesome :biggthump

[Kota04SXT]

Truck looks great man

[dodgesportz26]

i have a grille where you need a screwdriver to open the hood. It failed inspection because you have to be able to open your open in case of a fire. so i have to find a hood release.

[wreckless123]

The SS hood release only took 10 minutes to put on and works good.. I would put it on.. :biggthump

[ucimaplaya2]

man those little things completely changed the front of your truck :biggthump :mullet:

[Five9Dak]

Just kiddin, I always have tools with me and a screwdrivers works the hood latch just perfect. I'll get around to doing the relocater sometime, but I'm in no hurry.

Thanks again guys! Can't wait to get rid of those fogs and get R/T wheels on it!

That works until you have an engine bay fire, can't open the hood fast enough and watch it burn to the ground, Id get on it.

[HemiDak]

Using a screwdriver to open my hood works much faster and is easier than the relocated handle. I took it off because it wouldn't always work like it was supposed to.

[caulk04]

Yeah, I had the same impression about that relocater...seems that since you have to pull down, it'd be hard to use. I wish Dodge had done our hood latches like the Rams...seems easier to find.

If my truck is on fire, I'll get the hood open...the grille isn't THAT secure. :jester:

[mlobitz]

i have a grille where you need a screwdriver to open the hood. It failed inspection because you have to be able to open your open in case of a fire. so i have to find a hood release.

Just drill a hole on the end of the release handle, bend up a piece of small diameter steel rod, and secure it to the metal support on the back side of the grill shell. Unlike the one that comes with the SS inserts, you can push up like a "normal" release, and it will cost like 2 bucks and 1/2 a beers worth of time. I have had this set up on my truck for just about 2 years, with zero issues.

[Ben]

Looks bad ass man :biggthump It will look even better with the R/T wheels. I'm sure I will see your truck in person a few times this year.

[caulk04]

Just drill a hole on the end of the release handle, bend up a piece of small diameter steel rod, and secure it to the metal support on the back side of the grill shell. Unlike the one that comes with the SS inserts, you can push up like a "normal" release, and it will cost like 2 bucks and 1/2 a beers worth of time. I have had this set up on my truck for just about 2 years, with zero issues.

I was thinking of doing something like that...got really busy this weekend with vehicular repairs. GF's 2.4L Stratus needed a new water pump (spent 11hrs on that one :cussing: ) and mom's car was having charging issues that finally got nailed down to the positive terminal coming out of the battery!!! yikes.... Maybe this weekend.

Thanks Ben! Gonna have to make some more car shows this year for sure!