Truck Tuesday: All-New Ram 1500 Invites Buyers to Get Personal

Ordering a new 2019 Ram Truck 1500 now comes with a unique opportunity to let your creativity really shine. With more than 200 new factory-backed Mopar products created specifically for the new Ram 1500, buyers are now able to add their own finishing touches to their new truck before picking it up from the dealer

Once off the Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant production line, your Ram 1500 heads for the nearby Mopar Custom Shop where Mopar ‘techs’ install the part, or parts, you’ve chosen that personally speak to your Ram 1500 inspiration.

The process is seamless for the customer. The options are all Mopar-designed to harmonize with the all-new Ram 1500. The  result? A truck that’s yours, and yours alone! 

Watch as a factory-fresh 2019 Ram Rebel 1500 gets the Mopar Custom Shop personal touch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ody3hSIlFY4

Read more at: https://blog.fcanorthamerica.com/2019/06/25/truck-tuesday-all-new-ram-1500-invites-buyers-to-get-personal/?fbclid=IwAR0wMG7ET300BnroK4gxl_5bs4ieggXh1TulGsgNISaFVG7CcP3HtjS1wlw

Ready for Battle: Mopar to Offer 200-plus Products for All-new 2020 Jeep® Gladiator

• Mopar-modified 2020 Jeep® Gladiator on display in Los Angeles highlights open-air personalization potential of most capable midsize truck ever
• Available Mopar products for all-new Jeep Gladiator include active lifestyle accessories and Jeep Performance Parts
• Accessories include truck bed-mounted cross rails, bed storage system, tonneau covers and more
• Jeep Performance Parts portfolio for Gladiator includes lift kit, rock rails and tube doors
• More information on Jeep Performance Parts available at www.mopar.com/jpp

A Mopar-modified 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, on display at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, highlights the open-air personalization potential of the most capable midsize truck ever. The Mopar brand will deliver a portfolio of more than 200 parts and accessories available to enhance the all-new 2020 Jeep® Gladiator.

The Mopar brand will deliver a portfolio of more than 200 parts and accessories available to enhance the all-new 2020 Jeep® Gladiator. A Mopar-modified 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, on display at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show’s AutoMobility LA, highlights the open-air personalization potential of the most capable midsize truck ever.
 
Owners can put their personal imprint on the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator by choosing from a full Mopar menu of products. Customization options include a Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) 2-inch lift, JPP tube doors, Mopar spray-in bedliner, tonneau covers, a truck bed storage system and much more, all designed specifically for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator.
 
“The Mopar brand is bringing to market a full selection of parts and accessories for owners to personalize the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator to fit their individual lifestyles,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Parts & Service (Mopar) and Passenger Car Brands, FCA – North America. “We’re giving owners what they need to enhance the most capable midsize truck ever, whether that’s versatile lifestyle accessories or Jeep Performance Parts for hard-core off-roaders.”
 
The majority of parts and accessories for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator will be ready when the truck launches in the second quarter of 2019. Mopar products will include active lifestyle, truck-capable accessories, such as bed-mounted cross rails that adapt to a variety of carriers, and additional performance content, such as off-road lights and beadlock wheels, and many more that have been developed specifically for the new Jeep Gladiator.
 
Mopar parts and accessories for the Gladiator are backed by a factory warranty and were created in close conjunction with the Jeep brand, engineering and the product design office through tens of thousands of hours of development, testing and validation. The strictest standards and factory-exclusive data — information not available to the aftermarket — were used to seamlessly integrate Mopar parts and accessories with the Gladiator and to deliver proper fit, finish and quality down to the color, grain, look and line of each product.
 
Mopar-modified all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
The Mopar brand grabbed a large selection of items from its available portfolio to demonstrate the top-down, open-air potential of the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon with a modified version on display at the 2018 LA Auto Show’s AutoMobility LA.
 
Exterior Mopar modifications include a JPP 2-inch lift kit, JPP tube doors and rock rails and JPP 5-inch and 7-inch off-road LED lights. A mesh sun bonnet works with the tube doors to deliver an open-air feel unlike any other offered by a production midsize truck. The JPP logo is added to the rear of both bed sides. Additional Mopar accessories include unique five-spoke wheels, a hood decal, a blacked out Mopar grille and windshield tie-down straps.
 
In the rear, Mopar bed-mounted cross rails work with a Mopar bike carrier to support active lifestyles. A truck bed storage system enhances utility with lockable, dual sliding drawers. The interior of the custom 2020 Jeep Gladiator is outfitted with Katzkin seats, Mopar grab handles, molle bags and all-weather floor mats.
 
The Jeep Gladiator is armed with a Mopar cold air intake, which works with a Mopar cat-back exhaust system to add horsepower and torque.
 
20 Mopar Products for 2020 Jeep Gladiator
Below are 20 Mopar products available for the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator:
 
Bed-mounted cross rails: Adapted from Ram 1500, bed cross rails work with Trail Rail system for adding Mopar lifestyle accessories, such as bike carriers, kayak carriers and more.
 
Bed storage system: Tailgate opens for access to dual sliding drawers, providing lockable storage space for gear, supplies and tools.
 
Ramps: Carryover from Mopar portfolio for Ram 1500, ramps are tested and proven and provide easy ingress and egress into bed area.
 
Lift kit: Available 2-inch lift kit delivers additional off-road clearance and adds aggressive appearance.
 
Bedliners: Durable, factory-backed spray-in bedliner available as production option through Mopar Custom Shop, with drop-in bedliner also available.
 
Roof rack/carriers: Mopar roof rack accommodates variety of lifestyle cargo carriers, such as a bicycle, ski and snowboard carriers.
 
Door sill guards: Composite and stainless steel door sill guards feature the Gladiator text logo.
 
Tonneau covers: Similar in design to tonneau covers for Ram 1500, but configured to fit Jeep Gladiator, options include hard-trifold, soft–trifold and soft roll-up tonneau covers.
 
Side graphics: Graphics unique to Jeep Gladiator flow down from C-pillar and include a hexagonal design, military and retro-themed options.
 
Hood graphics: Options include “Flag,” “1941” and “Jeep Grille Through the Years” designs.
 
Cold air intake: Features the Jeep brand logo and draws in fresh air from hood cut-out to increase engine performance.
 
Katzkin seats: Katzkin leather seats are embroidered with distinctive Jeep grille logo in Tungsten stitching.
 
Tube doors: Tough, 2-inch-round steel tube doors add open-air feel that makes Jeep Gladiator unique for midsize pickups.
 
LED off-road lights: Military grade 5-inch and 7-inch LED lights shine at a maximum of 8,000 lumens for 7-inch option, with JPP brackets available for mounting.
 
Sun bonnets: Mopar mesh and solid sun bonnets enhance freedom of Jeep Gladiator while delivering factory-engineered and UV-tested protection when hardtop is removed.
 
Grab handles: Mopar grab handles feature Jeep grille logo and are hard-secured, offering increased grip.
 
All-weather mats: Durable, all-weather mats fit like a glove and feature graphic design inspired by rugged Moab trails.
 
Wheels: Aluminum 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels help negotiate off-road terrain, and additional wheel options include five-spoke “gear” and five-spoke “slot” designs.
 
Rock rails: Unique, heavy-gauge steel JPP rock rails are thicker and wider and utilize same powder-coating on Ram Truck bedliners to give non-slip finish.
 
Bumpers: Rugged, sturdy, winch-capable steel bumpers include production Rubicon and “Stubby” bumper options.
 
For more information on Jeep Performance Parts, visit www.mopar.com/jpp.

The SRT Durango is here — and it’s awesome

After ages of speculation and rumors, the SRT Durango will finally debut later today at the Chicago Auto Show. I was fortunate enough to check the SRT Durango out in advance, and as a fellow Mopar fan who has long been hoping to see a proper high performance Dodge SUV, I believe that this is the Durango that the Mopar community has been hoping to see for so many years.

As you might expect, the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT will share a drivetrain with the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, starting with the 392 cubic inch Hemi. This mill delivers 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels via a quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and a high tech all-wheel drive system, allowing the big SUV to make the most of every bit of power. Also, with the 2.75 inch exhaust system fitted with 4 inch exhaust tips, the 6.4L SRT Hemi offers the type of tone that you would expect from the fastest and quickest 3-row SUV in America.

The SRT Durango is lightning-quick in a straight line, but thanks to the addition of a huge Brembo braking package (6-piston/15” fronts, 4-piston/13.8” rears) and a revised suspension setup featuring the same adaptive, adjustable dampers from the other SRT vehicles, this big SUV will blast through the curves as well.

Finally, and most importantly to some buyers, the SRT Durango offers the same copious amounts of cargo space as the non-SRT Durango models, along with an even greater towing capacity. The same SRT Durango that will run a 12.90 quarter mile will tow 8,600 pounds, so you could conceivably tow your Mopar muscle car to the track, drop the trailer and race both your Durango SRT and your Mopar muscle car.

In addition to being fast and capable, the SRT Durango has a sporty exterior design that is similar to the SRT Charger. This begins with the twin vented hood and a hood scoop, a unique mesh grille, a new slim air intake slot in the middle of the fascia and a huge lower fascia opening. There is also a new air intake duct system which helps feed cooler air intake the Hemi engine for improved performance in any situation.

Finally, like all SRT vehicles, the 2018 SRT Durango will have a loaded interior with heated, leather bucket seats in the first two rows, and smaller bucket seats in the third row. The SRT cabin also includes the newest UConnect infotainment system with an 8.4” touchscreen in the dash and a 7” adjustable driver information center.

The 2018 SRT Durango is aggressively designed on the outside, it has loaded interior and it has a high tech drivetrain which makes it the toughest and fastest 3-row SUV inn America. While there will be some people who now insist that this Durango should have packed a Hellcat Hemi – this is the SRT Durango we have all been hoping for and it will be available in dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year.

You can see the video and read all about the finer details of the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT in our full piece by clicking here.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2017/02/the-srt-durango-is-here-and-awesome-36429

The Dodge Shakedown Challenger Is Bizarrely Wonderful

If ever there were proof that Bizarro World exists, then this Dodge Shakedown Challenger at the 2016 SEMA show might just be it. Whereas the modern Dodge Challenger is a new car made to look like an old car, the Shakedown Challenger is an old car made to look like a new car. Bizarro, indeed.

Although the Shakedown is technically a 1971 Challenger, the crew at FCA added the headlights, taillights, and a grille from the 2017 Challenger to give the classic coupe a contemporary look. A custom lower front fascia, rear lip spoiler, and modern 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels that share a design with the wheels featured on the Challenger SRT Hellcat further blur the line between old and new.

The Shakedown Challenger’s looks aren’t all that has been updated for the 21st century. As the giant “Mopar 392” fender decals imply, the Shakedown is motivated by Dodge’s 485-hp 6.4-liter V8. A functional hood scoop, a cold-air intake, and a custom-made exhaust provide the 392-cubic-inch engine with an extra bit of grunt. Meanwhile, a six-speed manual transmission cribbed from the Viper puts the pushrod engine’s ponies to the rear wheels. Custom suspension components and Brembo brake calipers from the Hellcat ensure the Shakedown’s other dynamic qualities are as capable as its impressive powertrain.

Dodge didn’t leave the vintage Challenger’s outmoded interior untouched, either. The Shakedown’s insides include a modern Mopar gauge cluster, as well as a steering wheel and seats culled from today’s Viper. The rear seats have been removed, too, replaced by a parcel shelf and a roll bar, while a fuel cell and its associated filler sit in the Shakedown’s trunk.

The Dodge Shakedown Challenger is quite possibly the most meta car we’ve ever laid eyes on. After all, this classic Challenger is styled to look like a car that was originally designed to mimic the looks of the 1970–71 Challenger. It seems, then, that the modern-looking, 45-year-old Dodge Shakedown Challenger is Chrysler’s attempt to shake things up, not down. Which kind of makes sense, because in Bizarro World “down” actually means “up.”

Read more at: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/sema-show/news/a31375/the-dodge-shakedown-challenger-is-so-bizarre/

Let Us Help You Customize Your Jeep Today!

From new engine add-ons, to off-roading equipment and new wheels, there are so many accessories you are able to include on your Jeep vehicle. Whether you drive a brand-new Jeep or a used one, own the classic Wrangler or drive the sleek Cherokee, you’ll have plenty of options to consider with our offer of Jeep customizations with MOPAR parts. To learn more about these exciting accessories and parts, visit Dick Scott Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram or Dick Scott Motor Mall today!

To make sure your Jeep model is running at its peak, you can choose to add a custom performance chassis to it. These parts help increase your Jeep’s fuel economy and overall performance to give you more controlled and precise handling. Options such as a 2-inch 2-Door Lift Kit, a JPP 4-inch Lift Kit, and more are available for you to select from. Depending on which Jeep model you drive, here at Dick Scott Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Dick Scott Motor Mall, we can help you choose the proper chassis kit that will suit your vehicle best.

If you often take your Jeep off-roading at Lakeshore Park or you just want to add some extra flair to your SUV’s exterior, consider the specialized performance wheels that are a part of the Jeep customizations with MOPAR. These wheels are made for the unpaved trails, so you can rely on them to get you to your destination, wherever that may be, steadily and safely. Plenty of options are there for you to customize your very own Jeep, so you get the exact look and ride you’re going for. Some rim choices include 5-black hole or 5-silver hole wheels, argent 5-spoke wheels, and argent 5-hole wheels. Our Service Department will be able to properly install whatever wheels or parts you choose to add on to your Jeep to make this process hassle-free.

To enhance your Jeep’s ride for it to achieve its optimal capability, there are even more performance components to choose from. Especially made for off-roading, features like the Wrangler Axle Mounting Bracket Kit for the Front and Rear, the Dana 60-Crate Axle Front E-locker with Gearing, and a selection of crate axles assist you while on rocky and uneven paths, and also help you tow large trailers more efficiently. You can also choose to equip your Jeep SUV with a cold air intake for its engine, which allows cooler outside air to seamlessly flow through a directional cone filter. To enhance your Jeep’s horsepower and torque, make sure to add on this innovative feature to its powerhouse.

To learn more about the Jeep customizations with MOPAR parts visit Dick Scott Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram or Dick Scott Motor Mall, your local Jeep dealer. Our expert staff is happy to assist you with any questions you have and will make recommendations for you according to what you’re looking for.

How big will the next Dodge Charger be?

Back in 1960, Chrysler Corporation converted almost its entire product line from body-on-frame to unibody (still using subframes). The revolutionary change could have frightened customers off, as the Airflow did, despite extensive testing.

The company’s leaders thought they could prevent customer resistance by making the cars look fairly similar to the 1959s, a successful strategy. They were lighter and handled better, and that’s all most customers noticed. Chrysler could have made major changes to the styling to call attention to the change, but chose not to.

That made a comment by reliable source oh2o especially interesting: he wrote that the next-generation Charger would be about the size it is today. Most sources have claimed that the Charger would be shrinking to differentiate it more from the 300.

This goes along with yet-unconfirmed rumors that Chrysler might make a large front wheel drive car — a niche flagship which, thanks to shared engineering and a shared plant with the Pacifica, would not need to sell in large numbers to make a profit. The Chrysler could be even larger inside, perhaps sacrificing the V8 for a six, turbocharged or not.

The Charger would stay a muscle car, keeping its size and successful market niche, but with higher gas mileage, better acceleration with its standard engines, and better handling.

As for running against Mustangs and Camaros, there’s no reason for the Charger to do that anyway — now that we have the Dodge Challenger. Indeed, when the original Dodge Charger was made, it was not aimed at the Mustang or Camaro; that was the job of the Plymouth Barracuda (joined in 1970 by the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Duster).

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/05/how-big-will-the-next-dodge-charger-be-31783

Nissan Juke Vs. Jeep Renegade: Compare Cars

Believe it or not, the Jeep Renegade and Nissan Juke are in the same category of small SUVs. But they could hardly be more different. The Renegade is Jeep’s littlest SUV, with square-cut styling and genuine off-road prowess. The Juke, on the other hand, is a style-first urban warrior whose all-wheel-drive option is more for on-road traction than anything even in the neighborhood of rocky trails or mountain climbing.

New in 2015, the Renegade is the first vehicle developed from the ground up for global sale by the combined Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. While it’ll likely sell well in North America, its minimal dimensions make it best-suited to bring the Jeep brand to more crowded and less affluent markets in Europe, Asia, and South America. Its design is every inch classic SUV, with oversize lights and other details for visual interest.
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The interior is straightforward, modern, and contains a number of Jeep-brand reminders in the form of “Easter Egg” design elements. The Renegade’s front seats are comfortable, but there’s not that much room in the rear unless rear-seat riders bargain aggressively with those in the front. The seats are comfortable and nicely bolstered, and the Renegade is clearly wider than other AWD entries, meaning the shoulders of the two front-seat riders are suitably separated.

The Juke, on the other hand, has been with us since the 2011 model year. Its wild-style design is polarizing: You either love for it for its in-your-face, tall, haunched, bug-eyed appearance or hate it for the same reasons. A light restyle for 2015 has made it, if anything, even more mean-looking. The Juke’s layout and switchgear are straightforward even if the motorcycle-inspired gauges, shiny nylon upholstery, and colorful inserts give it far more design edge.

Interior space is adequate in the front, with a somewhat upright seating position, but quite cramped in the rear–and the Juke has less cargo space to boot, just 36 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down (which is how we expect most Jukes will be driven), against 51 cubic feet for the Renegade. In the end, the Jeep is simply far better at the utility jobs that many people need: hauling people and stuff.

The Jeep Renegade comes with two powertrain options. The base model is propelled by a 160-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. If you don’t want to shift for yourself, you’ll move up to the 180-hp 2.4-liter four, which uses the new nine-speed automatic transmission that’s increasingly common in new Chrysler, Jeep, and Fiat products. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional for both engines.

The Nissan Juke is powered by a 188-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with either front- or all-wheel drive, and a continuously variable (CVT) transmission. The CVT makes it somewhat sluggish around town unless you drive it hard, when it tightens up and offers more fun. Performance fans, however, will go for the Juke NISMO or NISMO RS—both offering a manual gearbox. The NISMO RS gets a top-performance version of the same engine, boosted to 215 hp. The NISMO versions also get more than 100 upgrades to suit their hot-hatch personae.

While the NISMOs are in a separate category–they’re smaller competitors to cars like the Subaru WRX and VW Golf GTI–the conventional Juke powertrain just isn’t as direct or enjoyable to drive as the Jeep’s pair. Not to mention that the AWD Juke gave us truly atrocious fuel economy during a test several years ago–only slightly more than 20 mpg.

The Juke’s safety ratings are mixed–not unexpected for an older design–while the Renegade hasn’t yet been rated for crash safety by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2015 Renegade comes in four trim levels: the base Sport (starting at $18,990 for the base 2WD version), the mid-level Latitude ($22,290), and the top-of-the-line Limited ($25,790). All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option. Then there’s the Trailhawk model ($26,990) with its greater off-road capability, which only comes with all-wheel drive and the larger 2.4-liter engine with the nine-speed automatic. All prices above include the mandatory $995 delivery fee.

The 2015 Juke starts at $21,705 and rises to more than $30,000 for a top-spec NISMO model. Even the base Juke S includes Intelligent Key with push-button start, a backup camera, and the NissanConnect system with Mobile Apps and a text message assistant. The mid-range Juke SV adds a moonroof; a rearview camera system; push-button start; satellite radio; the I-CON system; automatic temperature control; and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The top-trim Juke (other than NISMO models) is the SL, which layers on navigation; leather-trimmed seats; and an 8-inch Rockford Fosgate subwoofer with six upgraded speakers.

Overall, the Jeep Renegade easily gets the nod here. When the Juke was the sole hot-hatch SUV on the market, it was a new and interesting way to get that capability in a smaller size than the usual compact crossover. But now that we have entries from not only Jeep but also Chevy, Fiat, and even Buick, the Juke comes up short: It’s too small and cramped, and doesn’t offer the sturdy off-roading ability of the littlest Jeep.

Read more at: http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1098188_nissan-juke-vs-jeep-renegade-compare-cars?fbfanpage

The 1,000HP Gen III Hemi 1970 Dodge Challenger Dream Car

For some, Super Stock and “Super Stalk” might as well be one in the same. For others however, both are distinctly different, yet equally heroic endeavors. In NHRA Super Stock, the Big Three dumped ludicrous stacks of money to build factory ringers for bragging rights and bragging rights alone. This results in cool stuff like 9,000-rpm hydraulic roller small-blocks that run 9-second e.t.’s. By contrast, “super stalk” describes one man’s quest to chase down the exact same car for 30 years before finally convincing the owner to put it up for sale. It takes a very unique car to inspire such an extreme obsession, and the story behind Brook Niemi’s ’70 Dodge Challenger proves that the truth is indeed much more interesting than fiction.

Although people love reminiscing about how everything was better during the muscle car era, they rarely mention that it was also a time when real car guys worked at car dealerships. Imagine, for a moment, the luxury of ordering up the Mopar of your dreams with an employee discount to boot. Throw in a savvy employee’s knowledge of all the obscure option codes offered by Chrysler, and Brook’s Challenger is the result. “The original owner was a Dodge salesman in Great Falls, Montana, who ordered it as a company car,” Brook explains. “The dealership didn’t allow optioning company cars with Hemis or Six Pack induction systems, so he ordered it up with the R/T package, 440 big-block, a four-barrel carb, an A833 four-speed, and a Dana 60 rearend. Once the car arrived, he swapped out the four-barrel carb and the stock hood for a Six Pack and a factory T/A hood. The car was also optioned with the Special Edition package, which included a smaller back window, four-point seatbelts, and a console in the headliner.”

Eventually, the unique E-Body moved on to its second owner a few years later, which is when Brook first saw it and fell head over heels. “During high school in the late ’70s, the machine shop I was working at built a 500ci Six Pack engine for the Challenger. At that time it was painted white and built to look like the car from Vanishing Point,” he recalls. “I have such vivid memories of the owner pulling wheelies with the car in the parking lot. From that day forward, I always kept up with the car. The third owner purchased the car in the early ’80s and never drove it much.”

The bad news was that the Challenger’s third owner seemed to appreciate it more for its collectability than its Chevy-stomping potential. The good news was that this same lack of use kept the car in outstanding condition. “From the early ’80s to 2005, the car sat in storage. The owner at the time liked that the Challenger was one of less than 150 built with a 440 and a four-speed, but his real passion was for ’60s-era cars,” Brook says. “He planned on restoring the car back to stock someday, but he eventually had a change of heart and decided to sell it to help fund other projects. He had been sitting on my contact information for years, so as soon as I got the call that the car was available, I picked it up immediately.”

Throughout the course of its decorated history, this fine Mopar specimen had logged just 54,000 original miles. Even so, the 30-year-old paint had seen better days, so Brook stripped the car down, repainted it, and dropped the original 440 back in it. While the crew at Kindig-It Design tackled the paint and bodywork, the car revealed yet another one of its interesting secrets. “The paint code indicated that the car was originally Sublime Green. Since that made it even rarer, the shop tried to talk me into painting it the original OE color,” Brook recalls. “I understood the reasoning behind it, but in my mind the car had to be white because that’s the color it was when I first saw it as a kid. I always remembered it as a Vanishing Point tribute car, so that’s how I planned on restoring it.”

By sticking with his guns, Brook successfully re-created the car from his childhood dreams. All was good in his hood until a chance encounter with another Mopar triggered an avalanche of changes. “I was sitting at a stoplight one day when a Sublime Green Challenger R/T with a 426 Hemi pulled up behind me. It looked so good that even though I had just finished painting my car white, I decided at that moment that I had to repaint it green,” Brook says. On one hand, stripping the car back down just to repaint it seemed like an awful lot of work, and Brook was tempted to modernize the powertrain, suspension, and brakes. On the other hand, he had some reservations about throwing a bunch of non-original parts on such a rare piece of Mopar history. Ultimately, the itch to build something truly unique prevailed.

Seeking modern levels of power, driveability, braking, handling, and comfort in a 40-year-old chassis required a major overhaul of all the major mechanical hardware. Granted, a stock 440 provides plenty of scoot by most standards, but Brook wanted more power. Like three times more power. He determined that the best method of accomplishing this without increasing mass was by swapping out the big-block for a supercharged, all-aluminum Gen III Hemi. Absolute Performance (Sandy, Utah) welcomed the challenge and schemed up the perfect combination for Brook’s needs. The setup is based on an aftermarket aluminum block that’s been bored to 4.125 inches and fitted with a Callies forged 4.000-inch crankshaft, Oliver steel rods, and custom Wiseco 9.5:1 forged pistons. An Edelbrock E-Force supercharger pressurizes air molecules into a set of Thitek aluminum cylinder heads, and custom Arrow Lane headers evacuate the cylinders. The result is 426 ci of Gen III Hemi that kicks out over 1,000 hp and 1,100 lb-ft of torque. For easier freeway cruising, Brook replaced the A833 trans for a Tremec TKO 600 five-speed, which feeds torque to a Strange S60 rearend.

Of course, horsepower alone is meaningless if it all goes up in smoke, so Brook completely revamped the chassis with Reilly Motorsports hardware. Up front, the stock suspension has been replaced with an RMS K-member, control arms, sway bar, and coilovers. Out back, the factory leaf springs got yanked for an RMS four-link system. Monster Wilwood disc brakes convert forward inertia into heat, while 18-inch EVOD wheels wrapped in Nitto rubber plant the lateral and longitudinal loads to the pavement.

Inevitably, some collectors won’t take too kindly to throwing a late-model EFI motor along with modern suspension and brakes at a super rare Challenger with only 54,000 original miles. Nevertheless, from the car’s original interior to its stock body and paint, Brook has gone to great lengths to retain the essence of what the Challenger looked like when it rolled into the dealer lot in 1970. “Sure, I had some reservations about putting a bunch of modern parts on this car, but I’ve put the original engine, rearend, K-member, and suspension into safe storage. I can swap all the original parts back in very easily,” he explains.

Ultimately, Brook doesn’t have to explain himself to anyone. After patiently stalking his prey for 30 years, he’s earned the right to do whatever he wants, period correctness be damned. Despite how utterly badass Brook’s 1,000hp Challenger may be, its cool factor still takes a backseat to the incredible story behind it. Lusting over the same car for three decades, then transforming it into the ultimate E-Body, could just be the most rewarding car building experience of all time. As the saying goes, you can’t make this stuff up.

Fast Facts
1970 Dodge Challenger
Brook Niemi
South Jordan, UT

Engine

Type: Chrysler Gen III Hemi small-block

Block: Mopar Performance aluminum bored to 4.125 inches

Oiling: Melling oil pump, Milodon pan

Rotating assembly: Callies 4.000-inch steel crank, Oliver rods, Wiseco 9.5:1 pistons

Cylinder heads: CNC-ported Thitek aluminum castings

Camshaft: custom Arrow Racing hydraulic roller (specs classified)

Valvetrain: COMP Cams valvesprings, Smith pushrod

Induction: Edelbrock E-Force supercharger and throttle-body

Ignition: stock

Exhaust: custom Arrow Lane headers, custom X-pipe, dual 3-inch MagnaFlow mufflers

Cooling system: C&R Racing radiator, Spal electric fans

Output: 1,004 hp at 6,200 rpm and 1,109 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm

Drivetrain

Transmission: Tremec TKO 600 five-speed manual, Centerforce clutch, Hurst shifter

Rear axle: Strange S60 rearend with 35-spline axles, 3.54:1 gears, and limited-slip differential

Chassis

Front suspension: Reilly Motorsports K-member, control arms, coilovers, steering rack, and sway bar

Rear suspension: Reilly Motorsports four-link, Panhard bar, coilovers, and sway bar

Brakes: Wilwood 14-inch discs and six-piston calipers, front; Wilwood 12-inch discs and four-piston calipers, rear

Wheels & Tires

Wheels: EVOD Challenge 18×9.5, front; 18×10.5, rear

Tires: Nitto NT05 275/35ZR18, front; 295/35ZR18, rear

Read more at: http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/the-1000hp-gen-iii-hemi-1970-dodge-challenger-dream-car/ar-AAcoe4U

V10 Dodge Challenger revealed: 2011 Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak

The much-rumored race-only V-10 powered rear-wheel drive 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak was unveiled on October 1, featuring an 8.4-liter, 512 cubic-inch engine with a 2-speed automatic transmission, launched at the Dodge Viper Owner’s Invitational in Salt Lake City, with later appearances scheduled for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas from Nov. 2-5, and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Orlando from Dec. 9-11.
Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, said: “With the introduction of our new 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak, Mopar will be the only place to get a factory-built V-10-powered race-ready drag car. Mopar’s new Challenger Drag Pak is a race rocket that will appeal to racers, collectors, dealers, and Dodge Viper owners.”

Based on the 2011 Dodge Challenger and finished in a Stock Eliminator and Super Stock configuration, the 2011 Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak is the first and only 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car. The car features competition wheels and tires, a Mopar solid rear axle with performance gear ratio, a 2-speed drag race transmission with integrated roll control, a complete competition fuel system with fuel cell, and a complete interior with gauge package.

The Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak features a Bright White paint scheme with color options. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $85,512 and production begins early next year.
Mopar offers three options with this vehicle. First, the Competition Package includes an eight-point roll cage, six-point safety harness and a mesh window net (MSRP: $7,950, part number P5155820). Second, a Mopar logo body wrap (MSRP: $950, part number P5155892) and a range of body colors (MSRP: $6,800, part number P5155893).

Orders must be submitted using the Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak Application, which is available now at Mopar.com , the Mopar Direct Connection Tech Line at 888-528-HEMI (4364), or a local Dodge dealer. Customers should work with their local Dodge dealer to submit their application.
Allpar notes that the V-10 may be the first appearance of a new Viper engine, or it might be a race-only version that will never see street production. The 6.4 liter Mopar crate engine was never produced for street use, though an engine of identical size, with many differences, is to be installed in 2011 Dodge cars.

– Identification plate with unique serial number sequence; primed and painted body, color options available

– 512 cid V-10 engine

– 2-speed automatic transmission with shift assembly and built-in roll control

– Special body-in-white modified for drag racing

– No windshield wiper assembly, HVAC system (includes block off plates), rear seats, power-steering system, or underbody heat shields

– Complete fuel cell assembly

– Race headers with collectors

– Modified tunnel for transmission clearance and one-piece drive shaft

– Raised floor above differential for solid-axle conversion clearance

– Polycarbonate door windows; smart-glass door window system

– Solid engine mounts

– Mopar solid rear axle

– Lightweight seats to accommodate 6-point harness

– Special modified K-member with drop-out crossmember

– Lightweight drag-race only front brake assembly

– Manual rack-and-pinion steering

– Front chin spoiler

– Lightweight instrument panel assembly and cooling module, with electric fan

– Cable-operated decklid release and cable-operated throttle pedal and linkage

– Race-style wheels and tires

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger/V10.html

Mopar Owner Apps Upgraded

The various Mopar/Chrysler apps for owners have been upgraded. Mopar was the first in the industry to launch smartphone apps for customers, for 2011 model-year cars and trucks, but these were fairly rudimentary, mainly being an on-line reference source with relatively minimal information.

Now, both iPhone/iPod/iPad and Android owners can have richer apps, with general information, service history, recall notices, and other features.

Owners can scan and identify instrument panel icons using their phones, see videos and how-to information, and log and track vehicle mileage or monitor a Mopar Vehicle Protection plan. The company can also push maintenance offers, recall alerts, and tricks and tips to customers.

An enhanced Parking Reminder feature lets owners set a pin at their parking location and a timer for the meter, and providing walking directions back. This is a nice setup but probably easier to use as part of a standalone app, due to the clunky menu system.

There are also dealership connections to see coupons, find dealers, schedule test drives, and get quotes.

A new Accident Assistant, a first for automakers, lets owners create accident records, upload insurance information, and capture photos of the scene, then find a certified collision repair facility and schedule an appointment to ensure their vehicle is repaired using original equipment parts. (The Assistant also lets owners access Roadside Assistance.)

The Apps work for various 2011-2015 model year cars and trucks, and are available in English and Spanish. The titles on the Apple Store are Mopar Owner’s Companion, Chrysler Concierge (incorrectly listed in the press release as Chrysler Owner’s Companion), Drive Dodge, Jeep Vehicle Owners, Ram Toolbox, and My FIAT.

Read more at: http://allparnews.com/index.php/2015/05/mopar-owner-apps-upgraded-28824