Hello all. I've spent a good amount of time over the last week using the search function and doing my best to read up on all the information here that involves my truck.

On Oct 15th I bought a 2010 Dakota Bighorn Crew Cab with the 3.7 on the spur of the moment while helping my brother in law look for a newer truck. He ended up with a 2010 Dakota with the 4.7. Anyway, I'm looking for guidance and any advice in making some mods/ cosmetic changes to the truck. Here's what I know about the truck and what I think is the most important:

2010 Dak 4x4 with 58,900 miles and the 3.7
DMHS 3.92 Rear Axle Ratio
NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
NHBP Aux In-Tank Transmission Oil Cooler
SDBS Heavy Duty Suspension
SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
Cheap *** 265/65/17's ATs all the way around and spare

It does NOT have the HD tow package.

What I want from the truck:

Rarely towing, but when I tow it will be 1200 miles each way
A bit better performance and sound ( exhaust )
Ability to get around in any weather, zombie invasion, and the likes.
Covered bed- tonneau cover
Maybe updated radio/speakers in the future
A bunch of cosmetic upgrades.

My plan of attack and feel free to correct me if needed:

Coming up on 60k miles, so I will install the Autolite 5224 plugs for now and the 3923's for when I get a tune.

Tune- Hypertech is my only choice that I've seen. Will add 180 thermostat and change to 3923's.

Towing- Looking at http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Curt/13230.html

Exhaust- I'm lost here. Most sound good at idle, but when you give them gas, they sound like crap. Ideas anyone? I've listened to 20+ sound clips and still stumped.

CAI- Stumped here as well. I've seen the video that debunks them, but what do you actual users think of them when combined with a tune and exhaust?

Tires- One of my old trucks had Cooper Discoverers. Great tire, but a lot of road noise. I'm open to suggestions. Stay stock? Go to 32's? etc etc...

Tonneau Cover- Something like this: http://www.realtruck.com/bakflip-vp-...010Y161MA.html

And what good is a thread w/o pics:



If you look closely at the tailgate area. You can see a bunch of scratches. The bed was even worse, as well as the rails. That issue was fixed a few weeks ago.



Crappy pic and having just hauled a bunch of leaves to the compost yard does not do it justice. Bed was coated in LineX, as well as over the rails. Makes the truck look 100% better.

 

great truck. but it needs some silver pin striping. what think?

 

I would go with a different color, but I don't think I would add any. We shall see as time goes on and I get more money to throw at the truck.

 

Get tires first..unless you plan on lifting it, then wait. Hypertech is your only option for the V6 and Amazon has a better price for the hitch as long as you already have the plate for it to mount on

 

I should have stated the tires better. They are a cheap brand but basically new tires. They will due for now, but will change them eventually. As for the hitch, I don't see anything under the bumper that small thing would mount to.

 

diff color would be good. i like silver as a good color. a friend told me that in the 50s and 60s chrylser made cars in silver as give a ways to out standing salesmen. i dont know its true. but its a good story.

 

Not sure why this was moved, as I'm asking for technical advice as well as mod advice, but oh well.

Another thing I need to do is get my front fascia (sp? ) fixed. I guess the previous driver lived on a gravel road. $800 for Dodge to fix or $150 to have it coated in LineX. Think I'll have LineX applied.

 

It bolts to the OEM bumper support tube.

I was going to get my box done in Linex untill I removed the bed-liner and had a hole thur the side over the wheel well. (On the inside of the bed)

(This is a OEM Hitch)

 

Forgive my ignorance, but other than the price and the way they attach to the truck, is there any difference between the 2 hitches?

 

I have my class 3 still, if the rollpan isn't an issue during Missouri inspection, I'll probably get a hidden hitch to go behind the license plate. So if you want to trade straight across I'd be cool with that. That way you have the receiver and I still have a stock hitch just in case.