5 Years of the Mopar 10

Another year, another milestone!

It is VERY hard to believe that 5 Years ago today, I flew down and picked up the Mopar 10...I would have rolled into town just a few hours ago.

The Mopar 10 has remained an absolute join to pilot and there have been no significant issues, although the factory tires are finally getting close to their last tread.  The car hasn't been driven as much these past few months as I have had a few projects in-line for it that have been held up by other obligations.  It got parked and treated to the black lug nuts in early September mainly due to TWO tires having nails in them.

I have never been a fan of Goodyear tires...this is solely based on my experience with the factory Wranglers on my 01 Ram.  They had the worst tread wear I have ever seen.  Looking at the mileage, 12k is about where they really started to run empty and that is about where these F1s are.

However, despite the abysmal mileage on these factory treads, I have found that they actually do hook quite well...the downside to that is they pick up rocks very easily due to the softer compound...it isn't as bad as the Mickey Thompson Indy Profile S/S tires on the Duster, but it is not far behind.

Needless to say, I am pretty sure that some point in this year I'll have to spring for some new tires.  Last I checked, F1s were very expensive, so I will likely look elsewhere, but aside from the wear rate I can't complain about these F1s.  For anyone wondering, my likely choice will be a set of Nittos.  I've had very good luck with them in the past...

Also of note, I drove the M10 home from work tonight with NO HEADLIGHTS.  I mean technically they were in there, but neither side was connected.  It wasn't dark, but it was probably within the "sunset window."  Work got out a little later than planned, but the park lights got me home (I like the sinister look just the park lights lends pretty much any vehicle).  Nonetheless, I got back with enough daylight to snap a few pics before pulling the Chally in...

Interesting enough, at this time last year I was talking about a "Bright Idea" essentially an idea to upgrade the factory headlights, which are very lackluster.  If you haven't put 2 and 2 together yet, that is exactly why the factory bulbs are out...well the passenger side anyway...and the driver's side is there, just disconnected.  As soon as time allows (possibly tomorrow?), I will get out and finish up that upgrade.  It will be a big difference and I will finally be able to see down the road.  If you have anything past a base model Challenger, you likely have better headlights than the M10.  They are just the standard halogen bulbs like the 01 Ram has.  For some reason, likely the front fascia, the light output is abysmal.  I drive a lot of back roads (see also, no street lights) and the factory headlights perform slightly better than the sealed beams the Charger use to have...or in other words, I could tape Maglites (the flashlight...no one talks about those anymore) to the fenders and have an upgrade.

Given that this is now 2016 and lighting technology has progressed big time, I find that unacceptable and took action, as promised, last year.  As with most things, plans didn't exactly go as planned with the parts...I have come across quite the situation, one which I've not seen documented anywhere.  The case in point is that components manufactured to a certain spec. are in fact not compatible.  Imagine if you needed (2) 1/2-13 x 2 1/2" Bolts for a project.  You have (1) in your stock pile and it fits great...you go to the store and buy one and it doesn't fit.  You then go to another hardware store and they sell the same one that is threaded differently.  You hit up a 3rd store and ask for a 1/2" x 2 1/2" with coarse thread...take it home and no bueno.  The bolt fits each stores nuts, but you are left wondering why your old bolt, that specs out on the thread gauge as the classic 1/2-13 threads in perfect and the "new" bolts don't.  It wasn't a bolt that gave me this trouble, but rather a connector and I've yet to get an answer from anyone.  In my opinion this is classic outsourcing coupled with a lack of quality control.  People will run into this issue over time and I'm sure across other models, but my big hope is that it is corrected at the source!

Anyway, I have found a fix and naturally, it requires the end user to modify beyond reasonable measures, the aftermarket parts...I will do just that and we will make it work.

That is all for now...I still can't believe it has already been 5 Years, but I look forward to even more time with the Mopar 10.

If you are a Mopar 10 Owner, are you on the Registry?  If you are an Original Owner, you should be, or already have hit your 5 Year Anniversary!  What did you do?  Any upgrades?  How long did your factory F1s last?  Check these links out and I hope you are enjoying your Mopar 10 as much as myself.

Mopar 10 Registry: http://www.mopar10registry.com/
Mopar 10 Forum: http://www.lonestarmopars.com/mopar10/forum/
Mopar 10 Twitter: http://twitter.com/Mopar10Registry
Mopar 10 Facebook: Click Here
Mopar 10 Forum's 5 Year Thread: 5 Year Anniversary

12,000 Miles

As of this morning, the M10 officially rolled up on 12,000 Miles!

It was nice timing as I just started using the UVS Covercraft 100 Sunshade yesterday, have some parts I plan to order, and maybe most importantly hope to get the oil changed this weekend.  Things have been quite busy as of late, so while it seems simple, it will be a big accomplishment.

If the M10 stays in the shop, I'll likely proceed with the next upgrade in the coming weekends!

Four Years of the M10

Today was a big day for the Mopar 10; it was the 4th Anniversary!

Hard to believe that at this time four years ago I was booking a one way flight and then driving home in the M10.  This of course took place Friday night into Saturday, but the date falls on a Thursday this year.

The weather has been quite cold this year, but more importantly we had a few ice storms and some snow...While I drive the M10 a lot and thru all kinds of weather, I'm always leery of ice for the simple fact someone could slide into me.

All of that coupled with shorter days and the cold weather left the M10 parked for awhile with its' stable mates.

I took care of that tonight by opening up the gates and letting the M10 stretch its legs.

I also came clean with an idea I have had a for awhile now...I wonder if the new projector beam headlights you see on 2015 Challengers will retrofit to the "older" models.  The factory headlights aren't all that illuminating when you get right down to it.

You can read more on the "Bright Idea" on the Mopar 10 Registry Forum:
http://www.lonestarmopars.com/mopar10/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=191

I usually like to treat the M10 to something special around the Anniversary date and this would be another upgrade that would not only enhance the aesthetics and night time driving, but also keep those original factory housings pristine!

It is something I am investigating at this moment.  That said, as fate would have it, this weekend and early next week are shaping up to be some very nice January days...Days in which I will be enjoying the services of the M10!

If you commemorate your Mopar 10 Anniversary, be sure to post up on the forum:
http://www.lonestarmopars.com/mopar10/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=190

10,000 Miles

Milestone September 3rd, 2014 10,000 Miles

Mopar Top Eliminator 2013: I'm a Finalist and Need Your Vote!

Well, this is a pretty big honor...

My Mopar 10 is one of Ten Finalists for the 2013 Mopar Top Eliminator Program!

The catch is, to win, you have to garner a lot of votes.  The contest is run through the Mopar Facebook Page.  I am not big on Facebook, and the vast majority of my friends don't even have profiles.   A few have said they can vote without being on Facebook, others have to be signed in...

Either way, I would appreciate your support.

My Mopar 10 is "Vehicle #5."

You can vote once every 24 Hours!  Please vote and spread the word to your friends.  Here is the contest link: http://a.pgtb.me/FfxH6P

Thanks in advance for any support!

Cloud 10, Phase 4: Blue LED Trunk Lighting

Long time no post...I am still back logged on milestones the M10 has hit and of course, the subtle customizations and performance mods I have made, but those will come in due time.

Cloud 10, Phase 4: Blue LED Trunk Lighting

So, first let me say, that due to things mentioned in the previous post, "Cloud 10" has yet to fully be documented or explained here...I plan on going back and creating new posts to cover that.  Here are some basics:

What is Cloud 10?

Cloud 10 is the Project Name I gave to lighting up the M10.  You often hear the old adage about being on "Cloud 9" right?  Well, Cloud 10 takes that and 1-ups it...in true Mopar fashion.

Since my car has the blue stripe...and black and blue is one of my favorite color combos, I chose to accent the M10's factory appeal with some subtle, custom lighting.  Phase 1 was simply swapping over to Blue LED Bulbs.  Phase 2 was the sweet Blue LED Footwell Lights.  Phase 3, which I had beautifully documented, but put off for other things, was underbody lighting.  Phase 4 kind of ran out of time before the big Midwest Meet and believe it or not, here on Saturday, April 20th, 2013 I finally got to finish it!

But wait, "You already had blue LED lights in the trunk...didn't you?"  Yes I did.  "And I thought you had an accent light on the Alpine Amplifier?"  Correct once more!  "So, what did you light up?  There is nothing left to light back there."  I would agree, until I experimented.

Way back when I wired in the accent light for the amp (which was great btw)...did it's job casting a nice, blue light on the ol' Alpine:

I went ahead and ran some extra wires and pre-terminated them for future expansion...I'll be honest, even though it took me 9 months to take advantage of it, had I not pre-wired things way back last summer, I wouldn't be making this blog post right now...the back of the Challenger would be torn apart and I'd be needing another few hours to wrap things up....

As is, I literally whipped this out in 20 minutes...granted I then spent about 40 on the switch, but a lot of that has to do with the horrible contortion job you have to do to bend over in the trunk...and my insistence on a "dual mode," which we will cover here shortly.

Now, you are still probably wondering what else I could possibly light up...factory center light shines on the Mopar Rear Strut Tower Brace and the Amp is lit up and it seemingly casts a bit more light to help out in the dim trunk...That is correct.

Here is the thing...any custom light, factory light, or ducktaped flashlight really doesn't do a good job illuminating the trunk...These are big cars...the location of the factory light is a limiting factor.  You get poor illumination behind the beam angle, and due to the position it is set, the beam doesn't really even do a good job pointing light forward where you would most want it (forward, center).  Take a glance left or right and you might be surprised those dark caverns are actually the right and left most reaches of your trunk.  Try setting a cell phone down in the trunk, shutting the lid, and popping it to tell a buddy to go find your phone in the trunk...10:1 he will use his phone to call yours after a few minutes of pawing around blindly.

While you can kind of see, it is by no means as good as it could be...and it certainly leaves plenty of room for  improvement...and that is what we like to do!

So, enter Phase 4's concept...trace the rim of the trunk with lights and see how it looks.

Here is the thing though...and some folks may be offended.  I can't stand seeing a light source.  It takes all the trick and custom out of it.  I'm in a room with can lights...I look up and see the can, bulb, and light...then spots for looking at it.  Think if the ceiling in your office was a pane that looked like a solid ceiling, but emitted light when the switch was on...People would think it was pretty cool right?  You bet they would.

I have a picture from the Midwest Meet where a young kid got down on his belly to try and see how the M10 was putting blue light on the pavement.  By hiding the light source, things just look better.  I know plenty of people that will see this post, run to AutoZone, pick up a 12" stick of LED or Neon and tape it to their trunk liner...while you will have cool lighting, you'll see the source...That bothers me.  I see it at shows where guys just plaster LED strips, Neon tubes, and cathodes from the engine bay, to the dash, to the trunk...seeing the light source kills it for me.  Sometimes you can't fully hide it, but you can always do better than making it like an old bulb & socket.

I tested things out, and was impressed with what my little 10" test strip lit up (times like these you realize how lackluster factory appointments can be).  My issue was I was pretty content with my center and accent light set-up...I was afraid based on the test strip that I was about to light up a small town square.  That said, I knew I wanted that look...so I decided to plump a switch in to let me go into "dual mode."

Enacting Phase 4 of Cloud 10

That said, I suppose before we cover that we need to see just what I did...

Step 1: Clean & Prep (Assuming You are Pre-Wired)

First thing first, when you are going to be adhering or mounting anything, always clean and prep the surface...I like to get the dust off with a shop towel and then turn it inside out with a little Prep All (wax and grease remover).  If you detail your car and slather on wax, or more likely have traces of Armor All etc on the mounting points, clean it up!  If you are going to do something, do it right:

Step 2: Wiring Diagram, Test Fit, Wire-It-Up!

Next up, you need to trace your wiring out and ensure you have enough slack for where you plan to mate the  leads and lighting...In my case with the switch you need the following:

-Earth Ground
+Supply Volts
*On Accessory

To break that down you basically need to tie the switch in with the factory ground...Then feed the hot lead to the "Supply Volts," and lastly run the power wire from your light source to the "On Accessory."  Most switches have a similar layout...you can usually invert 2 of the positions, just make note of "On" and "Off" if the switch is labeled.

I usually go into great detail on the tech end, but I was in the shop, on limited time, and only had my cell phone handy...Plus, until I go back and see what I mapped out, I would have needed a lot of time to pin down the factory wiring colors given I pre-wired this back last summer.

Since I did the switch, I had to mount it...I picked a really trick location.  I debated showing it, but I think I'll keep it low key for now...Can't spill all the secrets...

Step 3: Test Your Work

That said, here is what we come out with in the test run (note these pics are with the shop lights on):

Center View, Shop Lights On

Center View, Close Up, Shop Lights On

Center View, Shop Lights Out

Center View, Closer-In, Shop Lights Out

Step 4: Enjoy It!  Or Post It Up!

Dual Mode: Subtle Accent Lighting to Full on "Trunk of Blues"

So now, what is that "Dual Mode" I mentioned?  Well, it basically means that with the flip of one very well hidden switch I can go from full on House of Blues in the trunk, back to my traditional, and more subtle Blue LED Trunk Light Bulb and Amp Accent Light.

However, now that I have seen the House of Blues in my trunk, I really like it...Basically what that means to you is I wasted 40 minutes of electrical work in a horribly uncomfortable position to wire in a switch I don't really need....That's how life goes.

But, being optimistic and not wanting to fully admit I made a bad decision on the switch, I will likely rotate...In the summer when I run errands I won't have to have the full glow.  In the winter months when 7 PM is pitch black, it will come in might handy...and no doubt spark a few more conversations.

Not only does this look AWESOME, it is super functional...you could drop 12 Smurfs in the trunk now and spot them all in no time.  The other perk may not seem as obvious...

Increased Functionality and Practicality 

Think of when you have the spare tire cover up (if you've never done it...go out to your garage, pop the trunk, turn the lights out, and then lift it up)...see how it blocks almost all of the flipping factory illumination?  Not that you'd need it shining on a locked spare or that space saver kit to see things well on the side of the road at night after a flat tire.  The good news, if you have any bodies in the trunk and they are on the cab side of the fold in the spare tire cover, that light won't be blocked...they'll be able to see, but you better have a flashlight to get the junk out of the spare tire well...

That alone is peace of mind...I tested it (need to get a pic) and the difference is huge.  I can actually see the battery and spare tire (M10's have the actual spare tire, not the kit).

If you are not a fan of the really bright light, just remember, I can go subtle with the flip of a switch!

Conclusion (Cough, The Next Mod, Cough)

Now, talking about future mods, Phase 4 of Cloud 10 has afforded me a new direction...

Where I mounted that light to shine on the amp was okay, but I didn't like that if you were on the LH Side of the trunk, and bent just right you could see the light itself...(for anyone over 6' you'd never see it...).  When I'm in full on blue mode in the trunk, I really don't need the accent light in place THERE.

Keyword being "there."  I already tested this with my test strip and I think I might be moving the current light from an "above" position, to an "under" position.  With a little fab work for a bracket, I can mount the light under and behind the amp...This will give a nice glow not only from under the amp, but in the area behind it as well.

Overall, I am very happy with Phase 4 of Cloud 10.  Not only does it look good (and really better than I expected), I gained a lot of practicality in the trunk should I ever have to change tires at night...Plus, simply dropping the key fob into the dark trunk is no longer something to fear (I'm sure many of you can relate to that one).  While I was initially worried this might be "too much light," I am now of the mindset it is just right and further accents the blue on black theme of the M10.

When I get around to relocating the amp's accent light I'll make a new post.

Here is one more look at the Phase 4 "Trunk of Blues:"

Dual AeroForce Interceptor Scan Gauges

If you read the post on the Razor's Edge Motorsports Dual A-Pillar Gauge Pod install, you probably knew what was coming...at least to an extent.  The correct answer is Dual AeroForce Interceptors!



You might recall how I have long complained of not having an Oil Pressure Gauge and how the Mopar 10s didn't come from the factory with EVIC, which would have been great for everyone to not only monitor vitals, but also have some fun performance wise.

I learned of the AeroForce Interceptor before I ever had the Mopar 10 and thought they were pretty cool.  When I wound up with the M10 and began looking to make up for not having EVIC, I decided to go the route of an Interceptor.

As I checked around to see if anyone had one and how they liked it I learned that no one in my circle of "Challenger" friends had them.  I couldn't figure it out.  I finally got word that the guys doing aftermarket gauges were usually doing doubles or triples with the old school approach: Oil, Water, and Volts via electric senders.  A few opted for Oil and Volts sufficing that the factory "C-H" temp gauge would do.

I checked around and they were all running adapters for the Oil Pressure Gauge.  I couldn't believe that the factory cranked out the same car with and without EVIC and that the wiring wasn't there to support oil pressure on non-EVIC cars.  Then again, I was told I couldn't swap a "stock cluster" for an "EVIC cluster" without basically rewiring the car (fly a tech in from Detroit and be without the car a few days), so I assumed it must have just been done that way.

A tech heavy source told me that the LX guys ran Interceptors on the 05-07s, but that the 2008+ cars wouldn't spit out oil pressure...bummer.

The way I do things, and how things use to largely be done was simple.  The wiring for all the bells and whistles is there: top of the line radio, fog lights, heated seats, sirius etc.  If it was an expensive piece, you just left the main run with the appropriate connector and had the consumer pick up the "harness."  Simple.  Clearly, things have changed.

I was sad to say goodbye to the prospects of the Interceptor, but always hopeful that some other option would come along.

When DiabloSport launched the Trinity I just knew I had found my work around.  One single unit to tune, monitor performance, log data, and display PIDs on a custom gauge layout.  I shot them an e-mail shortly after launch.  They said nope, no oil pressure for a non-EVIC car.

I had a hard time believing we had an oil pressure warning light, but no way to either tap into or read the ECU for the actual pressure...how else does the warning light work?

Then, about a year ago DiabloSport launched the inTune.  Sweet!  New technology and with data logging touted as one if the inTune's main features I just knew it was the answer.  Wrong.  I shot an e-mail, several actually, and got the same line as I did with the Trinity.  The inTune would not read oil pressure in a non-EVIC car.

I should mention I tried Superchips VIVID when I was also in the market for navigation...Tune, Gauges, Navigation, Android...same thing, no oil pressure.

As fate would have it, a friend informed me that his tech buddy had learned you could simply splice into the signal wire from the warning light and it would also read out pressure on a gauge.  That was about where I decided to just go that route.  Hard to justify spending the cash for a single oil pressure gauge, a volt gauge, and a water temp gauge when I'd still not have the other features I wanted.

I began (once again) scouring the net for info.  The late model Mopar forums (which I just "love" (sarcasm there folks)), had a few threads on this exact issue, but guess what?  The question either went unanswered, or the folks that might have been able to provide the solution were banned....Fantastic!

As a last ditch effort, I tried LX Forums hoping some "banned" or open minded LC owners might have migrated over there for the wealth of information.  I found a thread just a day or two old with someone asking the same question...he got an answer of "Yes...it will read oil pressure!"  Only issue?  It was from 07 and back cars and owners.  I chimed in, but no one with an 08+ seemed to see the thread.

Between mindslayer and Jim things looked great on the 07 back side of the table.  I wanted to get the M10 upgraded for CIC IV and knew the gauges would look great and give me tons of features, even without oil pressure.

I had decided to spring for the gauges and simply wire in Oil Pressure as an analog input on one of the Interceptors.  Before doing so I shot some tech questions in to AeroForce.  Todd said that he was confident oil pressure would read out on my car, but added he had never had confirmation and didn't have a car to test.

He then went out-of-the-way with an offer I could return the gauges if Oil Pressure didn't read...hard to pass that up.

Thanks to super quick shipping I had my inTune in the weekend before the gauges. I decided to try it out by logging the stock tune and then installing a tune.  When I reviewed the file I saw no oil pressure parameter.

When I was leaving work Monday I decided to log again with the inTune.  This time I decided to see what all I could log.  I skimmed the whole list and never saw oil pressure.  Then I decided to check the "Add PID" just for the heck of it.  I went to Engine and there was Oil Pressure.

I figured DiabloSport just had it there since it was a parameter that didn't read on this application...I added it and made the log.  I got home, pulled up the file, and voila...oil pressure!  How did DiaboSport not know this??  My other thought was more important...I figured if the inTune would read Oil Pressure, so would the Interceptor.

Before I even installed the Interceptors, I plugged one in to the OBD port and set it up...I saw Oil Pressure, but knew to temper expectations.  Upon firing the car up, there was my steady stream of 56-59 PSI.  Once warmed up, the car dropped back down just as it should.  I put it in gear and it dropped again.  Cycled to Park and gave it some gas...the PSI fluctuated just as it should...I was ecstatic!

It turns out everyone was wrong.  There is a ton of misinformation out there not only on forums and among enthusiasts, but among the speed shops, dealers, and factory techs with a performance mind.

I can say definitively that the AeroForce Interceptor (and inTune for that matter) will read Oil Pressure on a non-EVIC car later than 2008.  Was the 08 and 09 ECU different, I seriously doubt it.  But my 2010 sure as heck has it on board ready to view and I love it.

After 21 months of wanting to monitor Oil Pressure I am finally doing it...and doing it with style!

In addition to Oil Pressure the Dual Interceptors give me pretty much any parameter I would ever want to monitor or simply check from time-to-time.  It is incredible!

I basically got the Mopar 10 all the same features as EVIC but for a fraction of the price and in a more user friendly and custom package.

Not only does the Interceptor monitor the basics (Oil Pressure, Water Temp., Volts, Trans. Temp, Oil Temp, etc) you have access to Intake Air Temp., Command Air Fuel, Short Term and Long Term Fuel Trims, Injector Duty Cycle, Ignition Advance, Knock, MDS Status, Current Gear, and a huge list of other elements.

But that's not all!  With 2 Analog Inputs on each gauge you have the option of adding 4 more readouts, particularly things like Wideband Air Fuel Ratio or EGT if you go with a Turbo set-up etc.

However, there is still more.  Say you want a warning light to come on sooner than the factory...well, with the annunciator you can do that.  Oil Pressure below 25...Temp above 225...AFR below 12.5 with x pct throttle etc...it can all be set-up.


Oh and the gauges will read and clear DTCs.  Plus say you installed Long Tubes and eliminated the cats...you got your custom tune, but the code is still tripping, record it and clear it!  Similarly, if you decide to drop from your R/Ts 20" rims down to an 18" for the track or full time use you can adjust it via the Interceptor...same for changing rear end gears.

Speaking of custom tunes, did you know the Interceptor will record 60 seconds of run time for you to review?  Yep, full on-board data logging!

But, perhaps most important for non-EVIC cars is that we get the Performance Functions of EVIC!  Horsepower and Torque will both read out on the gauges!  The Performance Menu actually logs your 0-60, 1/8, and 1/4 mile times and mph!  This is like having the best features of the Trinity without the bulk!

The AeroForce Interceptor is truly a wonder for late model Mopars.  The only thing I'm mad about is all the misinformation and the resultant time it took from when I wanted the gauges and when I got them.  The peace of mind alone is worth the asking price, but factor in all the parameters you can monitor, the 2 Analog Inputs, ability to read and clear DTCs, bi-directional controls, data logging capabilities, and the Performance functions and you've got one heck of a piece in your car.

Installed in the Razor's Edge Gauge Pod they look right at home in the M10.  The blue background really suits the car and I should also mention the custom splash screens, gauge faces, and bezels.  You can truly customize your Interceptor and make it just right for your Mopar.

Here are some more pictures and videos:

COMING SOON!

2012 Mopar Nation Midwest Meet Videos

I just got the videos from this past weekend's Mopar Nation Midwest Meet edited and uploaded...

Figured they should be posted before I go into detail on the trip with the M10.

So here you go:

Mopar Nation Drag Racing at Thunder Valley

Mopar Nation Car Show Walk Around

Hope you enjoyed....Sadly my camera died at the track or I would have had much more video.  Did get the car show covered pretty well.

Mopar 10 Registry T-Shirts: In-hand!!

Well, last night I picked up both "prototype" Mopar 10 Registry T-Shirts...they look awesome!

I shot a few pics and a video only to find that the lighting was sub-par and didn't do the shirts justice, so I re-did everything today.

Here are some new pics:

Mopar 10 Registry T-Shirt, Front, Design 1:

Mopar 10 Registry T-Shirt, Front, Design 2:

Mopar 10 Registry T-Shirt, Back, Slogan and URL:

You can find more info on the Mopar 10 Registry's Home Page:

http://www.mopar10registry.com/2012/05/official-mopar-10-registry-t-shirts.html

Mopar 10 Registry Shirts

I have wanted to come up with some slick shirts to promote the Mopar 10 Registry and last week I sat down and crafted what I think is a cool design.

I basically went with the "Property of" concept and then incorporated "Mopar 10 Registry."  The issue I had up front was what to do in the circle (usually XXL etc).  My first thought was, "Having the car number would be killer!"  That logic still stands correct, but I have not been able to find an online outfit that would allow for the changing the number some 500 times.  Granted, I could design 500+ shirts, but that is a bit overkill.

The next step was to simplify it with something everyone would like, "HEMI."  This looks great, but lacks that wow factor of having the actual car number.

With that said, I went on to the back.  With the "Property of" design I still needed to plug the website (yes we have a website and a forum folks, links will be later in this post).  My idea was to list the url along with the slogan.  I never really took input on this, but when I posted it I got nothing but good feedback and I really think it fits the car.

I was now content, but still wanted to have the car numbers as an option.

As of posting this, it looks like that may happen.  I have found a local outift that is willing to produce the shirts on a one-by-one basis without killing us price wise.  I have a shirt made with my car number and HEMI that I am going to pick up sometime this week.  Once I have them, I'll post the actual product on the M10 Registry and the Mopar 10 Registry Forum.

Here are the designs I came up with...and before proceeding, fear not...these will be available in Blue, Red, and Silver to accommodate everyone!

Property of Mopar 10 Registry "HEMI" Front:

Property of Mopar 10 Registry "Car Number" Front:

Property of Mopar 10 Registry Back:

So, what do you think?  Pretty snazzy, eh?  As soon as I get the real article in hand I will post it up on the M10 Registry Website, Forum, and Facebook.

Here are the links in case you didn't know:

Mopar 10 Registry: http://www.mopar10registry.com

Mopar 10 Forum: http://www.lonestarmopars.com/mopar10/forum

Mopar 10 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mopar10registry

Wiring Your Aftermarket Radio with a PAC Harness

This is a work in progress, last edits were made 3/13/2012 @ 1:03 AM

Let's take a better look at the PAC C2R-CHY4

As much as it sucks to have to shell out over $100 for one of these, the fact of the matter is the part is worth it.  Sure, you can go in and actually hack up the factory connections, but this makes everything a plug-and-play.  So whether you plan to swap aftermarket head units every few years (gotta have the latest and greatest, right?), or simply think you might some day "return to stock" or sell your Mopar this is the way to go.

The C2R-CHY4 actually comes with two radio harnesses, but only one will "plug-in."  Obviously, you want to use the one that fits.  Electrical connections nowadays don't consist of 8-10 similar plug connectors within 6 inches of each other, but color coded connectors that usually just have one specific male/female counterpart.

I know it would cause people to order incorrectly, but if that meant the price could come down 33-50% by eliminating both harnesses I would be all for it.  I'm sure PAC has learned to just throw both in, but like I said, this thing is pricey.

Let's take a quick look at the wiring, I'll do the basics first:

RADIO CONNECTION (plugs in to the factory connector):

POWER & GROUND


-BLACK=Ground.  See Note A
-YELLOW=Battery 12+ Volt.  See Note B
-BLUE=Antenna On.  See Note C

--Note A: BLACK PAC ties in with your aftermarket radio's black.

--Note B: YELLOW PAC ties in with your aftermarket radio's yellow.

--Note C: PAC BLUE ties in with your aftermarket radio's blue AND the PAC BLUE with WHITE TRACER from the CAN Interface.

SPEAKER CONNECTIONS

FRONT

-FRONT LEFT
--White=Front Left, Positive
--White with Black Tracer=Front Left, Negative

-FRONT RIGHT
--Gray=Front Right, Positive
--Gray with Black Tracer=Front Right, Negative

REAR

-REAR LEFT
--Green-Rear Left, Positive
--Green with Black Tracer=Rear Left, Negative

-REAR RIGHT
--Purple=Rear Right, Positive
--Purple with Black Tracer=Rear Right, Negative

--Note D: These are the standard fare speaker wire connections...You can connect them to your aftermarket radio's harness by simply matching colors and tracers...make sure to get them right, also note that the black tracer will be the NEGATIVE input for the speakers.


CAN INTERFACE CONNECTION




-BLUE with WHITE TRACER=Amplifier Turn on Input.  See Note E
-GREEN=Reverse Gear Output, Positive.  See Note F
-ORANGE with WHITE TRACER=Illumination Output, Positive.  See Note G
-PURPLE with WHITE TRACER=Vehicle Speed Sensor, Pulse.  See Note H
-RED=Accessory Output, 1 Amp.  See Note I
-RED with WHITE TRACER=Parking Brake Output, Negative.  See Note J
-WHITE with GREEN TRACER=Steering Wheel Control Output.  See Note K

--Note E: PAC BLUE with WHITE TRACER ties in with PAC BLUE and your aftermarket radio's amp turn on.

-Note F: PAC GREEN  ties in with your aftermarket radio's Purple with White Tracer.

-Note G: PAC ORANGE with WHITE TRACER ties in with your aftermarket radio's illumination output.

-Note H: PAC PURPLE with WHITE TRACER=Not used.  Connect for navigation applications.

-Note I: PAC RED ties in with your aftermarket radio's red.

-Note J: PAC RED with WHITE TRACER ties in with your aftermarket radio's parking brake wire.

-Note K: PAC WHITE with GREEN TRACER was not used, applies to Steering Wheel Controls.

Happy Birthday Mopar 10!

Well today marks the birthday (or build date if you prefer it to be cold and technical) of my Mopar 10!

We finally had decent weather so she came out from a slumber and stretched her legs a bit.  I met with an AAM member and the M10 and Ruby got to go let loose on some straightaways and carve a few corners.  It made for a great afternoon and birthday!

Ruby vs Mopar 10, Round 2: Good Ol' Fashioned Back Road Drag:

Mopar 10 and Ruby Cruise Highlights in GoPro HD:

Mopar 10 Twisties:

Oh, and in case you missed the news...The Mopar 10 Registry is now live and open to the public!  I held off opening it up sooner as we had hoped Mopar would release the spreadsheet (which does in fact exist).  Sadly, they claimed that even without personal info releasing it would violate Chrysler's Privacy Policy. 

I have no clue how they came up with that one, but nonetheless we will just work towards making our OWN Mopar 10 Spreadsheet and build it exactly hte way we want it.

You can join in on the fun here:
http://www.lonestarmopars.com/mopar10/forum

Mopar 10 Registry

Well, this has been spoken about and I will expand on it again (primarily for the sake of having a stand-alone link for the swanky new side bar, lol).

As an Owner of a Mopar 10 you are a very unique person.  We all have great pride in our M10s and I want to try and document these cars as best as possible...just like many of you.

The other thing about creating the registry is that we will be able to get the story on each car (hopefully)...what dealer had it, where it was sold, where it wound up etc.

Past that we can see what the Owner does with the car.  Is it parked as a future investment, is it a daily driver, is it a show car, has it been modified, etc.  This will be very interesting for all of us and provide a platform for the Owners to share their take and experience with the car.

And perhaps most importantly it will give everyone the chance to find out where the other M10s are.  There could be another M10 Owner within a hundred miles and you might not even know it!

I want all of us to be able to set-up local, regional, and someday maybe even national meets!  Imagine getting 20 or more of these together at the same time!  What about cruising along in a caravan of steal, striped, Mopar assassins?!  The possibilities are limitless.

In order to facilitate that I've taken the time to creat the Mopar 10 Registry.

If you are interested, and I hope you are, you can do a few things:

1. E-mail me!  I will archive your info and get you added to the "list" and the exclusive M10 mailing list etc.  You can also send pics/vids that I will post up for you.  mopar10registry@gmail.com

2.  Join the forum!  This is the best way to participate.  You can share your story, brag about your M10, check out what other Owners are doing with their M10s, and most importantly maybe meet a few friends and set-up some gatherings.  http://www.lonestarmopars.com/mopar10/forum

3.  You can support both of these primary efforts by liking the page on Facebook...if you choose that route you'll be glad to know you are not alone.

Personally, I think the forum is the best way to go, but they are all great options!  I look forward to hearing from a lot of you...I know I will be in good company!

Prepare for Some Updates

Well, I doubt anyone is really following the blog at this point...particularly given it has sat dormant since it was created and had the first post.

You'll be glad to know that it isn't going to sit idle forever, in fact I just spruced it up a bit...I think this layout will work very well once the blog is up and running full steam.  It will likely continue to be tweaked the next couple of weeks while I generate some content.

Similarly, we have some Mopar 10 Registry activity!  I've had a few folks e-mail in their info, a handful like the Facebook page (Mopar 10 Registry), and a few more sign up on Lone Star Mopars!!

I will still consider the stand alone forum, but it is hard to justify until we get a steady group of owners established.  We would need at least 100 to really keep things active and fresh.  If we can get to that point I should be able to build a nice stand alone site for everyone.  However, for the time being LSM is set to handle all of us and I am exploring an in-between option where I could use LSM to host a Mopar 10 specific forum (yea or nay?).

I think that might be the ticket now that I think about it...it would eliminate the big expense of another hosting account and I think the server could handle it just fine.  Much more on all of that later.

I've got a few projects I'm finishing up on the M10...I guess I'd say it has been subtly customized since the purchase date.  I'll get more up on that shortly.

If you are interested in the Mopar 10 Registry let me know...
-Comment here on the blog
-Email me: mopar10registry@gmail.com
-Like us on Facebook:
-Sign up on Lone Star Mopars: http://www.lonestarmopars.com/forum

Check back for more updates AND some content!

The Mopar 10

I created this blog for several reasons:

1: I want to gauge interest in developing a stand-alone site dedicated to the Mopar 10.
2: I want to share information on the Mopar 10 Registry with other owners.
3: I want to orchestrate a gathering of contact information amongst the owners.
4: I want to help explain to folks what exactly a Mopar 10 is.
5: I thought it would be nice to share the history, mods, and more of my own Mopar 10 with all of you.

If this interests you leave a comment, e-mail me, whatever works for you.  I have a lot in the works.  I am aware of the lists on Challengertalk and Challenger forumz and personally, I am not a fan of either site.  You give away all rights to anything you post, the mods and administrators are less than inviting, and the number of ads slathered across and between the posts is excessive and makes it cumbersome to browse for information.  Their stance against linking to other sites or posts on other sites almost makes the sites unbearable and I, like many of you, do not have the time to orchestrate posts and commentary custom tailored for each individual site.

I guess I march to a a different drum: I believe this stuff is a hobby and should be enjoyed as best it can amongst other like-minded enthusiasts.  I also believe in things being FREE.  I am not out to make money signing people up for a registry or orchestrating regional M10 meets, it is something I want to do and will do out of my own free time and at no cost to anyone.  It seems ludicrous having to explain such a concept, but with the position taken by so many of the new, late model Mopar forums it seems like it should be explained.

That aside, I am a very laid back guy and anxiously await building up the contacts and hopefully in the near future organizing some Mopar 10 Owners meets...even if it is just 2 or 3 folks regionally.  It will be enjoyable for all of us and add more to the early status of future legends.

Stay tuned for much more!