Picked up this '97 12V auto 4wd from a member here last week (thx olfart!)----

Here is my "minor" build to get it road worthy--

Detail inside and out
reupolster drivers seat
polish headlamps
new headliner
new bedrail caps (brite diamond)
2" coil spacer lift
New Kumho AT2 35s on Blk Chrome Punisher wheels (got these from my tire buddy gave me a killer deal on what was in stock)

Use will be as a 'second' or 'backup' work/tow/driver truck. Main truck is 2009 4wd 4 dr dually.

Before and after pics---:smokin:

Nice... Maybe it is begging for some of those XZL 11 R16???

:smokin:

Nice... Maybe it is begging for some of those XZL 11 R16???

:smokin:

Ha- yeah- My original plan was to mil Green it up and put some 12 bolt H1 wheels and 37"s. But I am too busy to figure all that out-- was quick and easy to put 35s on!
Maybe later, when I get caught up a bit....
I am thinking OD green, blk Hummer wheels with the new Baja T/As, maybe a bed from an M105 trailer.... and a big 100DOLLARMAN stenciled on the side!:grinpimp:

Hey, that's my old camper shell:D I couldn't remember who I sold that to aside from they were off of here. The OD treatment sounds like it'd be cool.
Travis..

I am thinking OD green, blk Hummer wheels with the new Baja T/As, maybe a bed from an M105 trailer.... and a big 100DOLLARMAN stenciled on the side!:grinpimp:

:smokin:

Your better off ditching those stock headlights and getting some ones off ebay and throwing HIDs in them!
HIDs:
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/stackeddodge96/DSC01083.jpg
Housings.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/stackeddodge96/DSC01232.jpg
Dont mean to hi jack just a suggestion!

HIDs without focused projector housings are dangerous and absolutely worthless.

Not so. Many people think that i LOVE them so much brighter and better that stock. Ive had some people flash me, but i drive against cars that have the same set up as me and i can see fine. It all depends on what degree you pick, in my case i have 8k. Some websites have charts that show you which degrees are primarily used for on road headlights, which are for fogs and etc.. of course some people dont pay attention to that. Dodge projection headlights SUCK! I have friends that have them with HIDs and when riding with them its worse than stock headlights.

I've seen them and yes, they are blinding the piss out of people and I generally tuen my PIAA pencil beams on them to show them how pissed off I am at them. It's a bullshit mod that does more harm than good.

To some people maybe. I dont go in to town much so im ok with it. Was just suggesting somthing i did on my truck that improved the sight 10x better that stock. If he wants he can order the projectors.

I'm sure it did improve your sight, but at the cost of everyone's else on the road.

I'm sure it did improve your sight, but at the cost of everyone's else on the road.

Maybe maybe not, But we've hijacked long enough. Nice 12v man!
Looking good! Any engine mods in the future? If you wanna tow with it i would do 3 GSK and a #10 plate!

Yeah, the lights could use some help= thx for the suggestion. Also needs more power, but I dont want to kill the trans either.

Anyone have a suggestion for the best way to get about 40-50 more HP? I dont want to go crazy with the power- but it needs more. I towed this 24' trailer yesterday with about 11K lbs (too much) of tires and it did not like it! The flats were OK, but the hills were a bitch! My 09 Dodge has much better power (but we all knew that already). I havent done any research on what to do with this 12V yet- so suggestions are welcome.:grinpimp:

Coming up the Morongo and Yucca grades last nite I was in first gear! 20mph

Ill find the write up for you, but a new fuel plate is what you need along with a gsk (govenor spring kit) it allows the motor to fuel to 3200 rpms instead of 2200.
Also you can replace the stock air box with a cold air intake or what i did is bought a 30 dollar paper filter for a cummins marine motor that only needs to be changed every 100,000 miles :grinpimp:
I run a 0 plate which is very agressive along with the bhaf (big honkin air filter) and im about to install a 4k gsk kit. I have a stock auto and i hammer on it all the time and its doing fine so yours should be perfectly fine depending on your driving style and how the previous owner treated it.

..........or go to the tow rig forum. (which is where this should be)

lets see some pics of it with those hummer wheels!!!

It just never ends...

Anyone have a suggestion for the best way to get about 40-50 more HP? I dont want to go crazy with the power- but it needs more.

BHAF along with the fuel plate is a good start.

u should check out www.cumminsforum.com for more detailed motor related mods.

hummer wheel hub opening just gotta be opened up a bit to fit over the axle hub, bolt pattern is the same.

i too would like to see to change out ur bed and do th od green paint job!

every cummins owner starts out saying only another 50 hp, then another 100 then next thing you know, you've got a o-ringed head and compound turbos.


I'd do intake, exhaust and fuel plate (with the GSK). that'll get you through till the auto gives up the ghost with the added power.

Not so. Many people think that i LOVE them so much brighter and better that stock. Ive had some people flash me, but i drive against cars that have the same set up as me and i can see fine. It all depends on what degree you pick, in my case i have 8k. Some websites have charts that show you which degrees are primarily used for on road headlights, which are for fogs and etc.. of course some people dont pay attention to that. Dodge projection headlights SUCK! I have friends that have them with HIDs and when riding with them its worse than stock headlights.

You're wrong.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

I've seen them and yes, they are blinding the piss out of people and I generally tuen my PIAA pencil beams on them to show them how pissed off I am at them.

I use my 100W Unity spotlight. It's easier to get them right in the eyes. :flipoff2:

I use my 100W Unity spotlight. It's easier to get them right in the eyes. :flipoff2:

GO Light HID (http://www.magnalight.com/pc-2030-180-hid-golight-stryker-spotlight-w-wired-led-controller-wireless-remote--3200-lumens--2800-beam.aspx) is what I use. It will blind most people. It makes those piller mounted spotlights look like night lights.

Hey 100dollarman, how do you like the new Kumho AT's? I've been looking at them for my tow-rig/DD.

Anyone have a suggestion for the best way to get about 40-50 more HP? I dont want to go crazy with the power- but it needs more.

Grind the fuel plate, slide it forward, add a 3K GSK, BHAF and have it tuned/timed by someone who knows 12 valves and you'll think you have a different truck.


Start looking at new transmissions. :evil:

Have you done the KDP fix in it yet?

GO Light HID (http://www.magnalight.com/pc-2030-180-hid-golight-stryker-spotlight-w-wired-led-controller-wireless-remote--3200-lumens--2800-beam.aspx) is what I use. It will blind most people. It makes those piller mounted spotlights look like night lights.

At seven times the price, I sure hope it would. :p

mild plate, 3k spring and timing to 12', you will park the 09.

Timing to 12'?

Timing to 15.5* is more like it.

BHAF on the cheap. Gut the exhaust. Pyro gauge. Grind stock plate to profile of your choice. Slide it forward a bit. Tweak the starwheel a hair. 3K GSK. Timing as mentioned.

Build tranny. You WILL kill it.

12V formula on the cheap (except the trans part).

HIDs without focused projector housings are dangerous and absolutely worthless.

and around here they are illegal. not really enforced to strictly but ive seen a few leo's flip a bitch and pull people over with them on. if you want to do it right, get some headlights from an acura tsx and do a reto with your existing headlights.

OP- nice truck btw, sorry not much to add lol:smokin:

I havent made any power mods to the 12V yet--- but made a good comparison to my '09 dually. The same hills and same load that the 12V went over at 20mph, the new Dodge pulled 45mph. And wasnt nearly as strained.

I love the old Dodge, but it doesnt pull nearly as well as the new one.

I havent made any power mods to the 12V yet--- but made a good comparison to my '09 dually. The same hills and same load that the 12V went over at 20mph, the new Dodge pulled 45mph. And wasnt nearly as strained.

I love the old Dodge, but it doesnt pull nearly as well as the new one.

You are comparing a nice juicy apply to a dehydrated apple chip my friend. My truck pulls pretty damn decent for what it is, but my buddies 06 will stomp on it in the power/towing dept. Would I like his truck, yes. Would I like to pay for his truck, no.
Travis..

You are comparing a nice juicy apply to a dehydrated apple chip my friend. My truck pulls pretty damn decent for what it is, but my buddies 06 will stomp on it in the power/towing dept. Would I like his truck, yes. Would I like to pay for his truck, no.
Travis..


Agreed-

I can buy 7 of the older trucks for the price of the new one.

My plan is to use the dually when I have the heaviest loads.

"Coming up the Morongo and Yucca grades last nite I was in first gear! 20mph"

Takes an honest man to admit that instead of the usual 70 mph @ 22 mpg!

"Coming up the Morongo and Yucca grades last nite I was in first gear! 20mph"

Takes an honest man to admit that instead of the usual 70 mph @ 22 mpg!



I forgot to add that I got 35mpg!:flipoff2:

LOL!

(It really does seem to get good mileage--- I havent checked it yet)

I know the 12v gets good mpg but when people add the high speed super heavy GVW uphill both ways it gets ridiculous.
Clean old truck anyway out here in the dakotas they fetch pretty good money!

I know the 12v gets good mpg but when people add the high speed super heavy GVW uphill both ways it gets ridiculous.


Since I have a 1st gen everyone asks if I get 20+. I tell 'em "only when I'm on the internet":flipoff2: I will say my truck does get pretty damn decent economy though, but some people are lying to themselves.
Travis..

Wow, 20 MPH in 1st gear! Must not have 4.10s like mine. :p

I've been very happy with the dual bulb sport headlight conversion on my '00 CTD - I bought from a guy on TDR so I'm not sure of the actual cost for new parts (headlights & Brite Box wiring kit).

The stock headlights on my '96 CTD and '00 CTD were the most horrible headlights I've ever used.


Brian