Dodge Trucks - Why aren't they big in the custom scene?

What a joke. If you're talking about the infamous C-Clip in the rear issue, then you have a point. But blowing up a 545RFE trans is about as likely as Rosie O'Donnell becoming that sexy babe you always thought she'd become.

Not only are they up to the task, they can also be built up to hold even more power. And even if that wasn't enough to satisfy you, there's always the 727. There's only about 2 other transmissions on God's green earth I'd take over the 727, and none of them are OE from GM.  
No copycats...

please check out my 1999 dakota rt project in this months HOT ROD project section, as well as a possible feature in sport truck  

I need some ideas for my 1986 dodge 4x4. I dont go mudding in it, and I want to leave it stock height,but I want it to look good any pic's  

They just dont have the body lines and aval. parts like chevy and fords due.  As well they just were not as common in the 80's.  I mean GM and Ford trucks have been a name stay for years having a run of spare parts and such as well people hard been borne and bred with bowties and ovals in their blood.  

Anyway I think the biggest reason is lack of parts and lack of designs that make for nice customs like other companies do.  

part of the reason there are so few custom dodges is that people are afraid of being different. a lot of people talk aobut building a custom, but are scared they will be ridiculed for being unique. they would rather figure out the 4,678th way to do a chevy than stand out.  

well hopefully you don't buy a dodge just to be different...I think maybe more people start with Chevy/Ford, so the inclination is to build what you already have...  

no, I don't buy a Dodge just to be different, that's just an added bonus. At least a Dodge stands out in a parking lot. When I bought my 95 Dakota, there wasn't another truck with anywhere near the power to weight ratio. same story on my 08 Ram. Chevy does't even offer a crew cab with a 6 1/2 foot bed on a 1500 light duty truck. The Ford f150 does, for thousands more, if you can even find one.  

have you had other trucks than Dodge? I want a Dodge mini truck.  

Yes, I had a 92 s-10 before my dakota. I've also been working for a truck accessory center for almost 14 years, so I'm around different models every day.  

oh cool, so I bet you get some good ideas from work yeah?  

We mainly do bolt-ons for the masses, but I have gotten some good ideas. I've also seen a lot of things I don't like, but what matters is the opinion of the person whose driveway it sits in at night. Now that my Dakota isn't my daily driver, I plan to make some changes in the coming year. Can't let the cat out of the bag, though, so you'll just have to check that page from time to time.  

Exactly, everyone has a different style and opinion and different goals for their rides.
Some big changes eh? hmmmmmmm....  

Thanos Ram 02:
It sucks writing this ***

1)Who does Dodge have at their disposal to pull various parts from? Ford and Chevy has pretty much integrated their parts and made them compatible with other models within their company.

Like for example, Chevy for the longest have been able to merge features with GMC until recently. And if that weren't enough, they have Cadillac, Pontiac and a few other makes and models to get ideals from. Ford has Lincoln and Mercury to pull parts from.

But Chrysler hasn't really done anything of the sort. The majority of their parts, at least from what I've notice, are model specific.


2) You really don't have a whole lot of engine options available to you with Dodge. Dodge was set back when they stopped developing the Original Hemi and Wedge equipped models. Ford and Chevy have been redeveloping and improving on their original designs for a long time now.

Yes, the Magnum held it's own for a long time til recently. But again, look at what they have available? Nobody made a mad rush to buy a 4.7 V8. Most waited for the "New Hemi" to come out. And even still, the 5.7 came under fire until the 6.1 showed up. But other than those 3 engines, there's not much to look forward to.

It seems that the options for engines tend to lead many potential customizers away from Dodge. With Chevy, you can go from a 454 to a ZZ572 and not think twice about how to make things fit correctly (at least in the hands of a talented customizer...). And likewise with Ford. and it's easier for them to make it smog legal if they have the know how.

3) Sadly, There aren't enough of the old guys out there with customized Dodge trucks to lead the way. Of all the points I've attempted to make here, I think this is the biggest of them all. Most of the older fans of Dodges seem to stick with the muscle cars. And truth told, I don't blame them one bit. I happen to like those old rides myself. But there's no comparison between Ford and Chevy owners, compared to Dodge owners in this regard.

I do happen to think that there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. Over the last couple of years, we've seen some newer Dodge Rams customized by owners with rather deep pockets. So it's not like nobody is trying.

One dodge that caught my attention a few months ago was this black and white Ram quad cab with a mural painted on it. It was taken during a show. I can't remember exactly which show it was. But it appeared to be sponsored by Audiobahn. Had a devious face on the side of it. Just pure evil looking. Hope you guys do a feature on it in the near future....

I've been working out different ideals for my Ram ('02 1500 QC) right now, and every time one of these guys show up in the magazine, I develop new ideals to work towards. Perhaps that's the E-ticket for inspiring Dodge owners? It won't come overnight, but the more we see featured Dodge trucks, the more curious customizers are going to think about building one. They can't keep building the same ol Chevy and Ford forever. Eventually, they're going to want to be different than the rest. Which is likely the reason why some of us own a Dodge in the first place.

dont really agree with this comment, for one the thing holding the top three back right now is that everything is all integrated and the same, chevy which is doing the worst out of the threee have 4 diff car man. names they go under and all the cars are the same with exception to the grill and badgeing and maybe the interior but other then that same frame body panels etc. and for about the dodge motors the new hemi has come along way from the old one and is a motor with more potential if people will give it a chance, for one the old hemi had a dome shape head with the spark plug in the middle, best for creating power thats why all the top fuel drag cars still use them but the design isnt profecient to its displacement there is some much combustion room that there is alot of fuel left unburned, which eguals less horsepower that it could make, decreased fuel economy and it polutes alot, not that im a tree hugger but more a motor polutes the dirty its is and the more hydrocarbon left in the motor the less its life expectancy. the new hemi is a pentoral shaped head, looks like a hexagon with the spark plug in the middle, thats why they decided to call it a hemi yes much smaller then an older hemi but burns much cleaner and efficiant, and with the uneeded space taken away you can creat more power out of the motor per displacement then the older versions. from my understanding theres not much dodges cuz most dodge owners are big off roaders cuz the trucks come stock with a dana 60 and the fact that the frame is a *** to chop up and c notch. from what i heard im an engine builder not a body guy but thats my 2 cents. not trying to disrespect anyone.  
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well i agree with the guy that was talking about how theres no real change over from stock ,with dodge.....but i have to add "cause im a mopar guy all the way  !!" that with all that being said it takes a dedicated customizer to take a dodge from stock to shock ..... esp. a early 90's model ....few things can be bought to dress it out ....sooo its back to fiber glass, welders and the occasional prime and paint   ....look for my 95 dakota in the next few months            

i agree with all u guys with the lack of after market parts thats why i'm into old dodge trucks(before dodge was doge they were chysler yup they used to be one in the same) and for my .76 d100 custom i'm finding lots of aftermarket parts.....i live in canada so its easyer for me.