Thread: 2003 Durango SLT / Project HiJackZX1 / 56K= D@mn this $h!+ is gonna load slow!

Originally Posted by DJMikeT

I don't trust my overhead display that calculates MPG, I think a sensor is bad on mine or something. Even when I reset it I get various results and sometimes it just hangs up on the same reading and never changes. I have 20" Wheels on mine and I filled up and did the calculation manually on a long highway trip and it average about 17MPG. I wish the automakers would make a more efficient engine for larger vehicles I just miss the space of my Durango, but it just kills me to drive it to work going 60 miles one way.

HAHAHAHAH, I guess its bad then because mine is always on 11 mpg. Thats good to know, so my truck may actually do better then I thought. I do love the distance till empty meter, that thing is dead on. Well they are trying to build more efficient SUV, but I don't see the SUV surviving much longer. They are now going to be going with smaller cars, especially Dodge, Chrysler because Fiat bought them up. I'm not sure on Jeep though, I think they may sell that brand off to someone else.

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New Rear Console Idea

In the 2 previous attempts at designing a console i kept trying to incorporate the original arm rest from the second row. I now see that it was a major bad idea and put to many limitations on my design.



Its just too big and bulky, and the mounts are just so hard to work with. Mind you it is very comfortable but it isn't enough to justify the designing nightmare it causes. Ive decided to follow the path of the RX8 center console and make a lid that mimics the front center console lid better.



Its more flat and would be fairly easy to recreate, best of all it destroys the limits I had with the other previous consoles. i am really starting to embrace simplicity.

Originally Posted by DJMikeT

If it were me doing what you are doing to the Durango, I'd fab my second row seat console however it needed to be to achieve my goals. Then afterward if I were still concerned about the arm rest I might just fab some sort of top with a thin foam cushion and have it upholstered to match the interior.

Yea but I still have to have a look that looks like it should be there. The one piece look should work. I am thinking of building a version out of MDF and then wrapping it in vinyl, even if it doesn't match 100% I can use it as a model for a eventual fiber glass one. See If I go the vinyl route, the texture will match all my interior, but will not 100% match the front console because plastic obviously looks different then plastic. Ive already wasted money on console 1 and 2, so I'm just going to take the plunge and see what comes out of it. To build the new one it should only be about $40.00... The expensive part is having it wrapped, but since this new one will be super simple, I may be able to wrap it myself. Lets see and hope for the best, lol.

Well today I received the power and switch buttons from parts-express.com... they sent 6 red switches and 6 headphone jacks. They were supposed to send 3 red and 3 black. I explained that normally it wouldn't matter, but the users have to be able to distinguish between power and pc selection. They sent out 3 black ones free of charge, so now i just have to wait. On the other hand I installed 3 of the headphone jacks for the armrests. The driver headphone jack will have to be put some other place because it will not fit, same with the power buttons. Not that big of a deal. I did however wire up the audio to the ethernet cable and tested on my Laptop. It actually works flawlessly, so I'm happy. I just hope the power and pc selection also work.

Originally Posted by bigdakota98

Hey, been folowing your work long here. Just curious to see the newest pics. Getting ready to start my 98 Dakota Pc(KotaPc).

OHHHHHHH, we have very similar interiors then, your just missing everything after the passenger doors, lol. Is your regular cab or quad cab? Only thing that will be hard is that your dash is a different layout, but I have seen people work it out. I'll take some pix this weekend, I intend to finish laying out the rest of the wires. That includes the power wires for the last 4 screens. I also need the speaker wire, but I have to wait on that, its kind of pricey.

Originally Posted by bigdakota98

Mine is a Regular Cab, just got my console today. I am interested to see the pics of the installs done on my style dash. if you could point me to where i can find them, that would be great. Keep up the good work!

Now they were not Car PC installs but just screens... Here is one I thought was cool...

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/322095