Hello everyone...new member here so I figured I'd make the most of my first opportunity on this forum.
Spent years as a "truck guy", recently got rid of my 2014 RAM 1500 for a 2014 JGC Limited. I used to have a 2011 Durango as well, and realized that I missed all the creature comforts these vehicles provided.
I did a lot of work on my Durango, and plan to tackle a lot of similar projects on this vehicle as well, starting with removing/blacking out all of the chrome pieces, then move on to the suspension/wheels portion of it.
I've been reading a lot on this forum for quite a while and love the wealth of information it provides, so I am hopeful I can also provide some wisdom/how-to type information as I move along.
Yep, sure is unfortunately...always look forward to those 4 days of sunshine in December.
Thanks too, I've only had this vehicle for about 2 weeks now and am already itching for nicer weather to get moving on some of these mods I want to do...I'd be foolish to do them before the snow flies.
Thanks guys...nice to see some local people as well. I see you're in Hamburg, that's where my father grew up so I'm very familiar with that area.
As with any vehicle, I think my hardest decision is wheels and tires...definitely going bigger but don't know if I want 20" or 22" wheels, would 22" wheels look funny at stock ride height? I'd be inclined to possibly get the SRT springs front and rear to give it a better stance.
I hear you man, I live about 1/2 mile from Lake Ontario and have the same concern...originally I wanted to lift this vehicle so I'm still torn with what I want to do.
I do see what you mean about the wheel gap, although it honestly doesn't look as bad as I expected. What size are the tires?
Welcome to the forum. Lots of good info here. I have the same truck and color. Mine is ecodiesel. I went with 22x10.5 with 285/40/22. I also have srt coils on all 4 corners and changed my dampers to bilstein.
Good to hear, that's pretty much the setup I was planning to do as well. When you say Bilstein I'm assuming you mean the 4600's right? I was researching them and couldn't believe how expensive they are, but from what I've heard the ride quality is amazing.
How much drop did you get front/back with the SRT springs? I'd probably add the SRT (or Hellwig) rear sway bar as well.
Did you do it yourself? I've never worked with vinyl before so I don't know how hard it would be. My plan was to use DupliColor Shadow on that trim to darken it but still give it a nice shine.
I'll give the DupliColor shadow a try first, I've been pleased with it's results in the past on chrome. I'm about to order the front lower bumper applique, and rear step pad surround in the textured black so that will be 2 off the list.
I'm going to use Shadow on the grille trim rings, fog light bezels, and roof racks as well. I just need to figure out a good plan for the mirrors and door handles now....stick on mirror caps may be my best bet as a temporary fix.
That will work. I have the eBay caps. They work. They do oxidize. Just wax them. I used plastidip on lower facia, grill rings and fog surround. Came out good. It does not chip off from rocks. Multiple wet coats. Looks lumpy, but levels off as it dries.
So your plastic mirror covers are oxidizing? Interesting.
I will be the first to admit that I am a Plasti-Dip hater, no offense to anyone that uses it but I just can't stand it.
When I had my Durango I went through the pain staking process of actually removing the "plastic chrome" from the vehicle...it's amazing how once you get an edge lifted it just peels off, leaving you with a perfectly primed piece of ABS underneath, ready to be painted.
It'll be a few months before I can get anything done with the Shadow product though, winter is here so it's a wasted effort until around March or April.
Yup. I agree with you on plastidip. It wasn't meant to be permanent, but it came out great and is lasting on the fogs, lower facia and grill rings. I will take it off grill rings and get oem because I don't like the matte finish on the grill.
Does the trim ring on the fog bezel just pop off like other parts, or does the entire bezel need to be removed? I figure if it needs to be removed, I may do a HID upgrade while I'm at it.
Awesome thank you, those pictures helped me visualize it a lot better.
If I remember correctly from when I had a Durango, the front bumper takes what, 3 minutes to take off? I'm getting really anxious to start doing stuff to this vehicle, bought it at the wrong time of year haha.
I ordered the front lower applique, rear step pad surround, OEM slush mats, caliper brackets for the HD upgrade, and PowerStop pads with 350mm rotors today so hopefully the weather will cooperate soon enough for me to do some of it.
Yes, it's quick. 2 clips and 1 bolt in each wheel well, 5 release clips under the bumper, and like 4-6 under the hood (can't remember exact number). Pull the wheel trim molding away, unclip a few areas, pull and you're done. Once you've done it once, you can probably do it in about 5 minutes.
Good deal, thanks man. I took the bumper off my Durango probably 4 or 5 times so I'd have to assume this is pretty much the same, if not identical.
I'm toying with the idea of putting an LED light bar in the lower bumper between the tow hook covers so it turns on with the fog lights....we have a lot of deer and dark roads around my area.
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