I’ve owned the DD for about a year and wanted to start taking day/weekend trips with the fam to explore the San Diego area deserts and do some camping.
Background:
I’m an Industrial Designer with a degree in Automotive Design. The Durango was not my first choice in vehicles, but my wife loved it and it checked all the boxes. I loved the WK2 Cherokee and TRD 4-runner. I thought the DD looked like a bar of soap that hung out in running water a bit too long with some aggressive unrefined graphics up front, but I’ve grown to love this thing! The proportions are classic oversized American SUV and I’ve thought it would look best inspired by a more off road capable aesthetic rather than the large American speed wagon on 22’s. No offense to those that have gone that direction, but I just want something with maximum desert ability while maintaining as stock as possible. I’ve been looking into a 3rd vehicle like an old Jeep Gladiator or Comanche that could be a desert beast and handy around our property, but would lack every modern creature comfort for my wife. So let’s see if the DD will be a decent family off road desert camping vehicle.
The Build:
Stock as possible. I’m going with the build it as you break it mentality. First obvious upgrades have been 1. Wheels/AT tires for a more aggressive stance and better traction. 2. Roof rack for more storage. 3. Adding the RT dual exhaust to let her breathe a little raspier and easier. Currently looking for the cat-back RT exhaust after I already installed the rear lower valence. Future expected upgrades are 1. Suspension/leveling/clearance, but wanting to avoid lifting rear end if possible as I want to keep the CG low. 2. Undercarriage protection. Chief stuff looks nice! 3. Hitch. Looking to have rear tow points as well as ability to have a trailer that could serve as a bed for yard projects as well as a getaway basic camping tent trailer. For this I’m thinking of a Dinoot style fiberglass trailer with a rooftop tent build. Probably a separate build thread later this year.
I did a lot of research into the wheels and tires and finally figured out I could save a TON of cash by using Jeep Wrangler take offs in the specific spec I was after. For tires I wanted the Goodyear Wrangler silent armors in 275/45/r17 and loved the Wrangler Recon style wheel. Well after months of searching I found a basically new set with those specs and better yet, the wheels were Bronze from a ‘Golden Eagle’ edition. I added Spidertraxx 1.5” spacers to get a wider track and gain needed turning clearance. I’ve really liked the driving characteristics of the wider track with narrower tire. It’s minimally added road noise and the suspension feels a lot softer off road with the 2+ added inches of tire. Also MPG have not been affected at all, maybe improved?
The roof rack can hold the 31.5” 5th wheel/tire, but am working on getting that spare in the spare tire space below to leave the rack for camping gear.
Just wanted to share as I haven’t seen a lot of similar DD going this direction. The last image is a rendering I did when it was stock. I’m working on blacking out the chrome and hood with vinyl/paint.
Background:
I’m an Industrial Designer with a degree in Automotive Design. The Durango was not my first choice in vehicles, but my wife loved it and it checked all the boxes. I loved the WK2 Cherokee and TRD 4-runner. I thought the DD looked like a bar of soap that hung out in running water a bit too long with some aggressive unrefined graphics up front, but I’ve grown to love this thing! The proportions are classic oversized American SUV and I’ve thought it would look best inspired by a more off road capable aesthetic rather than the large American speed wagon on 22’s. No offense to those that have gone that direction, but I just want something with maximum desert ability while maintaining as stock as possible. I’ve been looking into a 3rd vehicle like an old Jeep Gladiator or Comanche that could be a desert beast and handy around our property, but would lack every modern creature comfort for my wife. So let’s see if the DD will be a decent family off road desert camping vehicle.
The Build:
Stock as possible. I’m going with the build it as you break it mentality. First obvious upgrades have been 1. Wheels/AT tires for a more aggressive stance and better traction. 2. Roof rack for more storage. 3. Adding the RT dual exhaust to let her breathe a little raspier and easier. Currently looking for the cat-back RT exhaust after I already installed the rear lower valence. Future expected upgrades are 1. Suspension/leveling/clearance, but wanting to avoid lifting rear end if possible as I want to keep the CG low. 2. Undercarriage protection. Chief stuff looks nice! 3. Hitch. Looking to have rear tow points as well as ability to have a trailer that could serve as a bed for yard projects as well as a getaway basic camping tent trailer. For this I’m thinking of a Dinoot style fiberglass trailer with a rooftop tent build. Probably a separate build thread later this year.
I did a lot of research into the wheels and tires and finally figured out I could save a TON of cash by using Jeep Wrangler take offs in the specific spec I was after. For tires I wanted the Goodyear Wrangler silent armors in 275/45/r17 and loved the Wrangler Recon style wheel. Well after months of searching I found a basically new set with those specs and better yet, the wheels were Bronze from a ‘Golden Eagle’ edition. I added Spidertraxx 1.5” spacers to get a wider track and gain needed turning clearance. I’ve really liked the driving characteristics of the wider track with narrower tire. It’s minimally added road noise and the suspension feels a lot softer off road with the 2+ added inches of tire. Also MPG have not been affected at all, maybe improved?
The roof rack can hold the 31.5” 5th wheel/tire, but am working on getting that spare in the spare tire space below to leave the rack for camping gear.
Just wanted to share as I haven’t seen a lot of similar DD going this direction. The last image is a rendering I did when it was stock. I’m working on blacking out the chrome and hood with vinyl/paint.
