My 1999 Dodge Dakota R/T named Artie... yeah, I know it's corny. I feel compelled to name my vehicles names that describe them.

1/1/07 - sold Artie and broke my heart.

I got Artie in the first week of December 2003. And I learned that Artie WILL NOT DRIVE IN BAD WEATHER. Word to the wise, don't buy an R/T if you don't plan to have another car onhand for snowy days.
When I bought it, it was already modified. It was lowered using new control arms and leaf springs out back. I don't know the brand unfortunately. I do know it'll rattle your bones. There's a set of headers and a full K&N intake system and it has an intake mod that fools the computer into thinking it's cooler than it actually is or something, I'm not clear on how it works. I was skeptical about it, but it actually took about 3 seconds off my quarter mile time! And behind all that there is a custom exhaust that sounds perfect. Again, I am not sure of the brand, but it is not too loud but it lets you know it means business.
Since buying it, I have added a few things. I put in a Kenwood CD/MP3 player with a flip face. Then I finally got around to installing my 12 in. Audiobahn Alum sub, powered by a Crossfire 400 watt amp. I had to take out 1/3 of the back seat to do it, and I am still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do for it long-term.
I also added a couple racing seats which I had to install "creatively" because I kept the driver's seat power adjustable. And I threw on some Nu Image gauge faces for some more contrast. Notice my custom needles? They're blue with red tips.
I also added clear corners with chome/amber bulbs which makes the front look a lot better.

The to-do list includes installing a center console, replacing the mirrors with the smaller ones, get a flush mount bed cover, and eventually some rims... maybe. I do like how the stock ones look.

I do a lot of searching for parts on ebay, and I saw someone selling a "grill insert" which was basically door gaurds for the existing grill. I sorta liked how that looked, so I went to Wal-Mart and got some. I think it looks okay and it didn't take any time to do. It breaks up the black a little and still allows me to open my hood.

This was what it looked like after driving it home for the first time.

Check out my other cars on page 2: