Hello all, I'm new here.

I just wanted to bounce a few ideas off of you guys.

Background info: I've had the truck for a few years. I haven't ever really wanted to modify anything in it until recently. My goal is to keep it tasteful. More detail can be found in my intro thread found at https://dodgeforum.com/forum/new-mem...-quad-cab.html

Before anyone suggests it, I'm not that interested in swapping in a V8 right now. I just got married and finished college and I am only interested in bolt-on's and weekend projects for now.

I can't seem to find an air intake for my 3.7L anywhere except for an eBay special. So I went ahead and ordered one and I'll install it next weekend. Has anyone heard of an air intake system for the 3.7L?

Next weekend I'll also be doing the full LED conversion of all of the bulbs (except for the headlight). I am keeping stock housings for now because I'm trying to make up my mind on what I like. What are some opinions on LED taillight assemblies such as what can be found on eBay or at http://www.andysautosport.com/dodge/1997_2004_dakota/lights/tail_lights/anzo/anzo00166095.html

I knew that there wouldn't be much in the way of performance modifications for the v6 when the same truck comes with a v8 and folks would be choosing the v8 for mods, but still. I can't seem to find much of anything.

I already had a custom exhaust system (cat back) put on a few years ago. I am having the rattling no name generic muffler the guy convinced me to get replaced with a flowmaster 50 series (probably sometime this week). On the exhaust note: When should I consider replacing the cat? When it starts to rattle? When it smells like eggs? What?

Ultimately, I'm looking for ideas from people with experience with their, or a buddy's, v6 Dakota and what kind of modifications you have made.

It's a daily driver. It is in pretty good shape. I'll be doing a routine tune up on it next weekend as well. It has approximately 120k miles on it.

 

Sounds like you have some good ideas for it.

Consider your self lucky that atleast you got a 3.7 v6 and not the 3.9.

Those LED tail lights look nice, if you get them let us know how they turn out.

And you should post up some pictures of your truck. We love pictures on this site.

 

Update on my truck:

I gave it that tune up.

The LED conversion is partially completed as I found out that I needed the resistors for the turn signals. I am waiting for them to get here for me to finish.

***Update*** I decided not to switch the turn/brake signals to LED. There is no point (from an energy conservation standpoint) since the resistors are just sucking up current. Besides, the company I went through (LED Option) has been a big Pain in the @ss.

I installed an LED strip on the tailgate. I like it. It also lights up white when I put it in reverse. I have received numerous unsolicited compliments on it.

I have been dressing up the wiring of my truck. When I installed the LED light strip, I took the time to rewrap and insulate all of my wiring with both liquid/regular red electrical tape. I have also been redoing all of the engine bay little by little replacing the convoluted wire loom with red and rewrapping all of the wires with red electrical tape. It is much more pleasant to the eyes and I am getting more and more done as I get time. It is helpful because if I have an issue, I might be able to narrow it down based on what I have seen and rewrapped. ie If it is red, that means I have examined it already and have taken precautions to protect it.

The picture below doesn't include any of my recent work with cleaning up the engine bay some more and working on wiring some more.

I got the intake installed.

Photo0395.jpg

I actually worked out a deal with the sellers of this intake to send me some free parts to improve my intake. They are sending me a 4" section of straight tubing so that I can get it further away from the motor and closer to the headlight. They also shipped the necessary couplers and clamps. They also included another red coupler and clamp for me to hold the mounting bracket in the picture.

In return, I am putting together a detailed step by step instructional guide for installing this intake in similar models. I am including pictures and dummy instructions on how to take out the stock intake and put this one in. I also bartered some design improvements for their intake.

I just ordered a fastman throttle body. I'm looking forward to getting this installed.

I am still looking into putting in a taurus electric fan.

All in all, I am pretty much working on getting the most out of my v6. It certainly isn't the fastest truck on the block, but it is MINE.

 

I got the Fastman Throttle Body installed today. I am very pleased with the result. It took me about 45 minutes including cleaning of all of the sensors. It has improved the tone of both my exhaust and intake. I unhooked my positive battery terminal the whole time to reset the computer. After starting it up and letting it idle for a few minutes, the idle evened out at about 650 rpms.

The Taurus efan is in a closet and is just waiting for my dccontrol wiring harness to get here. Then I'm going to take a few hours and pull out the shroud (in my case that includes the built in washer and coolant reservoirs). Then I'll take off the clutch fan and the stock efan. Then I'll work on getting the taurus efan mounted. I am making an effort to avoid using radiator ties. I am going to use a combination of the bolting points that the current efan is attached to.

With these two items, the only performance thing left for me to do is to look into a programmer. I just need to do my homework on that first. It is not a priority.

 

I put together a DIY installation guide for air intakes. I used my experiences mentioned above to make it.

You can find it here

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ir-intake.html

 

quick question: Are you running stock sized pipes for your exhaust (2.5 inch) or have you gone with bigger pipes? I have an 04 V6 4X4 and I'm looking into going with maybe 3 inch pipes with a 3.5 inch tip but I'm wondering if I'll loose or gain HP/mileage.

Thanks
Ric

 

I am running 2.5" everything (except for the tip). I did not want to lose any low end power from the decrease in back pressure. With the already relatively high flow dual cat setup, my flowmaster frees it all up with a nice balance.

 

since im planning on sticking with a single exhaust, do you think I should stick with 2.5 or bump it up to 3 inches? also, do you have a video of your exhaust so I could hear how it sounds?

 

No videos of my setup. I don't have the items to take a quality sound recording. As for size, I was assured by my custom exhaust guy that the dual cat 2.5" single in single out muffler is more than adequate on our trucks. That is why I wouldn't suggest going any larger.

 

Giant exhaust is great if you are running around @ 7000 rpm's however a tighter exhaust will actually help your torque curve & provide quicker exceleration. It will give up a few at the top end, but honestly who really drives around at full throttle?