"D" etailing

[jimbo1102]

Spent some time detailing today. I didn't realize it but a buddy from the Corvette forum told me about a place here in Tampa, Classic Motoring group (properautocare.com ). These guys take detailing super seriously. I had a chance to stop in there, the staff are not your typical car place chronies. They know what they are talking about. I did two complete cycles of their Blackfire polish/wax system
( http://www.properautocare.com/blacwhatdif.html )

For black or dark paint-the stuff is unbelievable. I used it a couple of months ago and applied it by hand but really had a chance this time to lay it down with my new Porter Cable buffer. (which they recommended)


I finally got a chance to shoot some decent pictures of the D, that is no rain this weekend and D clean.

[biged6464]

Jimbo,
In a word....WOW!!! that bad boy is shining!! How many miles have you put on the D anyway?? With your Canada to Florida jaunts I can only imagine!!! Anyway...looks badass!! I can't wait for my 20's to come!! I sent the money on Friday to the guy in TX who I'm dealing with..polished 20's with the 275/55R20's w/ like 8.000 miles on them..then I'll have the detailing bug too...I've read about the Classic Motoring Group..you're lucky to be so close..I need some BlackFire

[jimbo1102]

Around 8K miles currently

[biged6464]

wow, that's it?? I have almost 8K also...I took delievery on Feb. 14...I do drive around 40-43 miles daily Mon. - Fri. on my work commute (West Palm Beach to Delray and back)...on weekends I try and keep the D resting to not jack up the miles and eat up gas on quick runs to the store, etc..

[jimbo1102]

my daily commute is not too bad, weekends we usually take my wife's Jeep so the kids don't trash the D

[biged6464]

I hear ya on that....weekends I too use the Mrs.'s car for the errands, etc....the 4 cyl. Eclipse seems to better on gas than the HEMI Durango!!
On to wheels, etc...are you sure the lug size is 9/16??? I just want to double check before I go and buy a set of locking lug nuts for the new 20's when they come!

[jimbo1102]

I'm not sure on the lug size, I think someone else replied with that size.
However, I have seen the Mopar locking lugs for 04 D on Ebay for 35 bucks

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7919183677&category=33749

[biged6464]

I went to www.dodge.com and looks at the accesory section and saw them for $38..I need to know what is the correct part # and I will buy from a local dealer I guess.

thanks for the help as always!

[04Durango Betty]

If you don't mind, Just bought a 04 D in Black and love those rims you have on. what and where.

Thanks!

[jimbo1102]

Welcome aboard, nice choice in vehicle.
They are from a Ram truck, 20" polished aluminum, any Dodge dealer should have them but expect to pay big bucks if you go that route. A less costly option is either Ebay or find a local wheel shop where a set has been traded in from a new vehicle.

Or just follow BigEd around, he doesn't have wheel locks yet!

:evillaugh

[biged6464]

well to my knowledge neither does Jimbo!!! :) I haven't even received the wheels yet and you already got me stressing!!

[04Durango Betty]

Thanks!....Just one other thing.....With the larger tires/rims is it required to make any adjustments.

I just added a Westin bull bar (black with chrome skid plate) to the 04 black D.....It is sweet..will post pics soon.

[jimbo1102]

No adjustments were needed. The truck will sit about an inch higher and of course the amount of free space in the wheel wells will be reduced, but as long as you are not planning to do serious off road adventures with it rubbing is not a problem. I have had mine on since late July, never rubbed once. I measured the distance from center to bump stops and it is possible for the front to rub if the suspension became FULLY depressed or bottomed out, but mine never has.

[SRTpusher]

what gearing are you guys running... my D has the 3.55s with the hemi. wife drives alot.

would this hurst gas milage alot to go to the ram 20s? also what about speedo calibration?

thanks

freddo

[biged6464]

i have the 3.92's....speedo is only slightly off due to the overall tire/wheel diameter not changing but only an 1" or so....