2000 Dodge Dakota Slt Standard Cab Pickup 2-door 3.9l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Dodge Viper recall requires small-handed mechanics

It has been over a year since Chrysler first announced its recall of 3,660 2003-2004 Dodge Vipers because the airbag could suddenly deploy. The repairs are finally beginning, and it appears to be a nightmare for mechanics.
According to the automaker's filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the airbag control module can fail, which causes the bag or the seatbelt pre-tensioner to deploy without warning. It took over a year to design the new parts, according to The New York Times. However, Chrysler finally has a new "jumper harness with an in-line diode filter circuit" ready to fix the problem.
The dilemma now moves to the mechanics who have to actually install the part. A 47-step guide from Chrysler explains that the procedure should take about two hours. It's not an easy job, though. Most of the dashboard has to be taken apart, and the instructions include this helpful bit of advice: "Installing the jumper harness and filter box into position is not an easy task. Patience, perseverance, and small hands are required." We wish the best of luck to them. The fix comes just in time for the Vipers to enjoy the summer sun.

2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition fuels your dreams for a limited time

Few automakers love special-edition models quite as much as FCA. It's particularly prevalent in the Jeep and Ram lineups, but other makes get some love, too. Take a look at the new 2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition, a special blacked-out model that's set to arrive at dealerships this fall. The car is available to order now, but Dodge says the books will only be open for a limited amount of time. The Octane Edition is available in two appropriately named colors: Pitch Black and White Knuckle. A pair of matte black stripes run down the middle of the car, flanked on both sides by a thin Octane Red stripe. The 20-inch wheels are painted gloss black and have a knurled bead to keep the tire from slipping on the rim. The Brembo brake package is included, with the six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers painted Octane Red to match the stripes. Inside, the Octane Edition gets houndstooth inserts in the SRT sport seats. There are red Hellcat logos, red seat belts and red stitching on the doors, seats, dash center console and steering wheel. The Octane Package adds $1,495 to the $68,740 base MSRP of a 2019 Charger Hellcat. Like all Hellcat models, the Charger comes with a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 making 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. Changes for '19 include a new grille with two inlets to feed more air under the hood. The cars also get launch control, line lock, a cooler for the supercharger as well as a torque reserve system that preloads the supercharger for better launches.

eGarage interviews a couple with 65 Vipers

Owning multiple vehicles can be a hassle worth enjoying if you're willing to spend the time and the money required to acquire and maintain them. But when it's hard to make ends meet while underused valuable hunks of metal, plastic and rubber sit happily taking up garage space, journeys into the depths of other people's well-developed automotive obsessions will either bring you and your cars closer together, or compel you to sell them off before you become one of those fanatics. A recent video by eGarage is one of those journeys, and it's not for the faint of heart: D'Ann and Wayne Rauh own 65 Dodge and SRT Vipers in a collection of automobiles that exceeds 100.
We're not sure if the couple has developed heat-resistant calves from stepping over Viper door sills made burning-hot by side-exhaust pipes, but we wouldn't be surprised if they did. We did learn that their obsession with the no-holds-barred sports car started in 2006 with a trip to a dealership to buy just one Viper, which goes to show how innocently car obsessions can start. But the Rauhs seem to be doing just fine - perhaps better - 64 more Vipers later.
Watch the video below for the full story and to see what eGarage claims is the world's largest Viper collection.