Page 1 - Home
Page 2 - Wrecks
Page 3 - Mods
Page 4 - Current Look
Page 5 - More Mods (Update 11-1-04)
Page 6 - Cosmetic Mods (Update 4-7-05)
Page 7 - Audio Upgrades (Update 1/12/06)
Page 8 - My Other Toy

Mods

In spring 2004 I began to get serious about modifying the dak. My first mod was a 10" Edelbrock open element chrome air cleaner with a K&N air filter. Once I tested the mod to be sure I'd like it, I removed my old stock airbox and tubing. I also removed the rubber flap from my radiator to allow colder air into my engine compartment (a MUST if you have an intake like mine since it's pulling in a lot of hot air).

After that I bought a stock Holley V6 throttle body, ported it out for better air flow and swapped it with my throttle body. During that time I also put in new spark plugs (Autolite AP3923's gapped at .040) and a 180*F thermostat.

For many months I'd been comtemplating removing my middle seat, but I never could figure out how to get to the bolts. While surfing the boards at http://www.dodgedakotas.com I learned that you just had to unbolt all the seats as a whole, drill out the rivets in the middle seat and everything. One evening I went over to my friend's grandpa's and we removed that pesky seat (my dad would have FREAKED if I'd have removed all my seats at home...LOL). Now I have space for a custom console/sub box.

A few weeks later, after getting my job at Crane Pumps & Systems, Inc. here in town, I was able to spend even more money on my truck. I bought a new distributor cap and rotor, Bosch 7mm plug wires, and Gabriel performance shocks (I was getting massive wheelhop with my old ones). I installed everything but the shocks one evening and also removed the spark plug shields...one of which was rusted to the engine and took over 3 hours to get out. See...no more ugly metal shields!

My friend came by the next day and helped me install the shocks. They were very easy. Well, that's what my friend said. He did almost all the work while I sat around watching:) Thanks Chris! It rides so much better now. You used to be able to jump on the back and the sucker was like a trampoline. Now it takes two people and a lot of work to make it sink very low.

A couple days after doing the shocks I tried to do a brake job. My front brakes had been squeaking pretty bad for a while. We pulled the tires off and pulled off the calipers and pads to find that my calipers were absolutely shot. We put them back on until I could get all the parts.

In the meantime, before work one day, I went to the muffler shop and decided to spend some of my graduation money. I had my old dual turbo mufflers cut off and a single Flowmaster 40 series installed. The guy gave me a 2 1/2" inlet muffler with a 3 1/2" turndown right after the muffler. For a V6, it's quite loud! I love it! Here's one of my shocks and the muffler/turndown...

A few days later I went and ordered all the parts I needed for the brake job. I bought both front calipers, rotors, and I already had new pads from before. The next day I replaced my brakes. After replacing one side, it was time to bleed it...that's when I realized I was going to have a difficult time doing it alone (and I was home alone for the day). I didn't want my truck sitting in the driveway undriveable all day so I got ahold of my friend and he was able to come over and help me bleed the brakes. Actually, I had never bled brakes before so he taught me how to do that...and yes, this time I actually did the dirty work. Thanks for the help, Josh!

Update 8-25-04
I upgraded the audio system in my truck. First I bought a Sony Xplod headunit with MP3 technology (I love it!), and 220W Pioneer 6.5" speakers for the doors. The headunit took 2 days to do because of the fact I'd never switched one before and it got dark before I completed wiring it up. The door speakers took another day because I had custom make adapters for them since my old speakers were 6.75". About a week later I bought 130W 5.25" speakers for the rear panels. Those took about an hour to install...although I cracked the f'n panel on the driver's side cuz the stupid retaining clip got stuck and chose to crack instead of unsnap. Oh well, it's only noticeable if you feel for it. Next up is a sub and amp...I'm considering getting a Bazooka tube for in between my seats, but I'm not sure yet. Any opinions on the Bazooka tubes?

Also completed the crankshaft position sensor mod the other day. This consisted of slotting the holes in the bracket 3/8", removing the rubber grommet in the transmission bell housing, and then sliding the sensor toward the oil filter as far as the bell housing would allow. This mod should have added approx. 3-4 degrees of timing.