May 2006

Gary Ripper
(aka HEMI x 2)

I'm Gary Ripper and I'd like to thank the BOD for voting my Durango as DOTM for May, 2006. It's been great being a member and I've enjoyed going to the events and participating on the message board.

I live in Eldersburg, MD and have worked for a trade bindery in Baltimore, MD for 18 years. I also own a 1968 Hemi Charger R/T I'm in the process of restoring, hence my username "HEMI x 2." I also have a 90lb Rottie/Dobbie mix named Hemi. My interest in cars started at the age of 14 helping my father work on his 1968 Dodge Coronet 500 wagon. on August 4th, 1980 at the age of 15, I bought my first car, a 1969 Charger 383 out of a junk yard near Gettysburg, PA which I still have. I had to buy another Charger for parts and it went on from there. My other car related interests are NASCAR and Indy Car racing, traveling, car shows and ATVs. I also like canoeing, camping, and spending time at our family cabin near Gettysburg. I like watching true crime stories on A&E, Court TV, etc. and am a political news junkie.

I joined the DOC in September, 2004 just after purchasing my '04 Hemi SLT new from Reed Brothers Dodge in Rockville, MD. I'd been looking for several months for a replacement for my 1994 V10 Ram SLT 2500 4x4. I wanted an SUV but, at the time, the only one I knew of capable of towing my enclosed Haulmark car trailer was the 8.1 liter 2500 Suburban so I wasn't having much luck finding exactly what I wanted. One day driving by the Dodge dealer I thought I'd take a look at the 3rd gen Ram. While there a salesman informed the new D, when properly equipped (Hemi with 3:92 gears), would tow my trailer. If the Gen 1 D would've towed my trailer, I'd have bought one of those years sooner. Although I thought the D looked a little awkward, I took one for a ride. Wow what a difference over other SUVs I'd test driven. That particular dealer didn't have a D equipped exactly the way I wanted at the time (Khaki, Hemi & 3:92s with most of the goodies) so it took me a couple months to find the one I have now.

For an SLT, this one came loaded close to a Limited. It has the 5.7L Hemi Magnum, 5 speed automatic, Full-time AWD 2 speed transfer case, 3:92 gears, 4W-ABS, Light Khaki metallic with khaki leather interior, Customer preferred pkg 28G, Side Air bags, Infinity AM/FM/6-disc CD player, power windows - locks - seats - sunroof - pedals, cruise control, running boards, Trailer tow group and P265/65R17 OWL tires.

I prefer to be more subtle in customizing my vehicles, so my mods are on the modest side. I've added the following: Mopar Cargo Liner, Wheel Locks, Transfer Case and Fuel Tank Skid Plates, Stainless Steel Chrome Plated Exhaust Tip, Sport Utility Bars & Canoe Carrier, Tow Hooks, DVD Rear Seat Video System, "Hemi" emblems on the doors, tailgate & dash, and "R/T" emblems on the grill & tailgate. Other mods include Westin Platinum Series Step Bars, K&N Filtercharger, Superwinch X2F with Roller Lead, Rear Wiring Kit & Wireless Control, Escort Radar Detector, Magellan Roadmate 760 Portable Auto Navigation System, Michelin Cross Terrain SUV P265/70R17 Tires, Custom Hood Struts and I painted the outer chrome rim of the stock grill.

Some things I'd still like to add are an Alliance Technology wood & leather steering wheel, a Mopar rear view camera system, and modifying the headlights by painting part of the chrome inside the housing.

After seeing pics of the '07 D and Aspen, in a few years I may trade up to one those since most of my mods will switch over. I'm looking forward to many years of being a member of this club and again would like to thank the BOD for choosing mine as the D of the Month.

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