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Nitro Transformation

15K views 20 replies 11 participants last post by  Scar0  
#1 ·
Just a heads up, this will be a very long post. With that being said, lets look at a before and after!

Before: Nice and chrome
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After: Murdered
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First, installed HIDs, 8000k mains 10000k fogs:

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Then the chrome accessories came off:

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Next came the plasti dip and tint:
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Tinted the turn signals:
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Lots of plasti dip work:

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Next came the racks: (without the ski/snowboarder racks attached)

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Tires: Nitto Terra Grapplers (265/50R20)

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Wheels: Boss 340 20X8.5

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Spacers: 1.5" in the back, the front ones unfortunately would not allow the wheel to turn and had to stay off :[

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And with it all put together!

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Tell me what you guys think :)
 
#4 ·
Well Patrick you have been a busy lad!!!
Congrats mate you have enjoyed the best of both worlds going from the street bling to the total black out bush buggy.
Good taste shown on all the new mods, you have a good eye. :rep:

Nice to see you back on the forum.
 
#6 ·
Awesome look, man! :rep: I, for one, love the look of black and chrome, but you transformed her into a beast. I especially like that you took the time to keep the heads of the bolts chrome on the gas filler door. Nice touch, and attention to detail.

I wrote to Spidertrax, to see if their wheel spacers for the Jeep Liberty would fit the Nitro. This is their response:

I am not sure if the wheel spacers will work on the Dodge Nitro as we have never checked that application. Spidertrax wheel spacers are made vehicle specific to ensure a perfect fit. While some of the Jeep models share the same mounting face it is not common for other brands, even if by the same parent company, to share the same wheel mounting characteristics. I hope this helps a little and let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

The Spidertrax spacers for the Liberty are 1.5". IMHO, Spidertrax makes the best spacers, and they are hub centric for each application. I have used them on 2 of my previous Jeeps, and never had an issue with them. Maybe it is because of the shape of the front fender flares! It is my understanding that wheel spacers have to be at least 1" thick, in order to not have to cut off the ends of the existing wheel studs. What kind of spacers did you get? Could you not use the fronts because of the offset of your wheels - where did the wheels rub? Maybe, Spidertrax is correct in their reasoning. Thanks for the post, and taking time out to take pictures as you progressed with your project. Sometimes, it is hard to see how much actual work goes into doing something like this.

:smileup: :smileup:
 
#7 ·
Nice like it how u like those tires ? Did u lift it ? And where u get the custom front badge from
The tires are awesome, really made the drive better then my previous tires running on 22s. Didn't lift it, in fact it was lowered in the top picture, took off the lowering springs for the new look. I got the badge from a guy that cutsom makes them, his name pops up in a few threads on the site, just look around!

Well Patrick you have been a busy lad!!!
Congrats mate you have enjoyed the best of both worlds going from the street bling to the total black out bush buggy.
Good taste shown on all the new mods, you have a good eye. :rep:

Nice to see you back on the forum.
Thanks Nitrover!

wow looks great, what exhaust you have? any performance upgrades?
The only performance upgrade I have done has been exhaust actually, replaced the stock muffler with a flowmaster 40 series, vut off the resonator, and had the dual tips put on. Here's a video if you're interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2QkiWlXKyI&feature=plcp

Awesome look, man! :rep: I, for one, love the look of black and chrome, but you transformed her into a beast. I especially like that you took the time to keep the heads of the bolts chrome on the gas filler door. Nice touch, and attention to detail.

I wrote to Spidertrax, to see if their wheel spacers for the Jeep Liberty would fit the Nitro. This is their response:

I am not sure if the wheel spacers will work on the Dodge Nitro as we have never checked that application. Spidertrax wheel spacers are made vehicle specific to ensure a perfect fit. While some of the Jeep models share the same mounting face it is not common for other brands, even if by the same parent company, to share the same wheel mounting characteristics. I hope this helps a little and let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

The Spidertrax spacers for the Liberty are 1.5". IMHO, Spidertrax makes the best spacers, and they are hub centric for each application. I have used them on 2 of my previous Jeeps, and never had an issue with them. Maybe it is because of the shape of the front fender flares! It is my understanding that wheel spacers have to be at least 1" thick, in order to not have to cut off the ends of the existing wheel studs. What kind of spacers did you get? Could you not use the fronts because of the offset of your wheels - where did the wheels rub? Maybe, Spidertrax is correct in their reasoning. Thanks for the post, and taking time out to take pictures as you progressed with your project. Sometimes, it is hard to see how much actual work goes into doing something like this.

:smileup: :smileup:
Thanks! Here is the link to the rear spacers I used, they were nice and cheap :D
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wheel-spac...m/wheel-spacers-for-truck-suv-and-jeep/p2023273.jcwx?filterid=d17743y2008g141j1

Ya the front spacers couldn't be used because of the offset, this picture isn't with the spacers off and they still rub despite the some of the fender being cut.
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#9 ·
#11 ·
JC Whitney - I haven't heard of them in years. When I was a kid, I would read their catalog for hours on end, and dream the dream! I did not know they were even still around. As Bob Hope would say, "Thanks for the memories!"

:smileup: :smileup:
No problem! They were a great deal too at only $59 a pair

So stock suspention ? plan on lifting it any time soon? And did u cut the inner fendar before or after the tire?
Yep this is stock suspension. I probably won't look into lifting it, just because this is only 2wd, I curse myself for getting it in 2wd everyday! The fenders are cut both before and after, but unfortunately as you can see in the picture of the cut fender above, you can't miss the metal frame at the apex of the tire's turn, so rubbing does indeed still occur. :/
 
#17 ·
Welcome to the forum twstd. :wave:
When you have a chance, head over to the
Newbie Section and say "Hi".
Tell us a little about yourself and your ride.
That way we can welcome you all proper like.

Hi - the very first pic in this thread - what suspension are you running. Thats lowered on 22" chromes right? Is that a lowering spring kit or airbags?
From a few posts back...
The tires are awesome, really made the drive better then my previous tires running on 22s. Didn't lift it, in fact it was lowered in the top picture, took off the lowering springs for the new look.
 
#21 ·
Done. Looks like there is a wealth of knowledge here! :)
Yep, and the nice thing is folks are willing to share it. :smileup:
We always welcome questions, and try our best to give correct answers.
Occasionally we do have a brain fart :i_rolleyes:, but not often. :chuckle:
It will be nice to see the transformation of your new ride as things progress.