coolram62

Thank you again Germax for having the information. I've never looked under the hood of an Avenger beyond pictures. Your right about the strut tower brace being one of the most beneficial handling add ons you could do to any car (I have both the strut tower brace and lower steering brace on my '83 Z28). It would have been better if it were attached to the firewall (provided there's a reinforced place to attach). The Avenger's Mopar CAI is maufactured by AEM according to the CARB letter http://arb.ca.gov/ms...eo/D-265-32.pdf . But deviating from factory tuning hasn't been approved according to this letter when used in conjuction with the CAI. And the price you listed is comparable to the list price for the K&N 2010 Avenger CAI (I found mine on Amazon for $234 US). You wouldn't happen to have a link that has pictures of this CAI and/or the catback? I have a question about the underhood seal in front of the air intake. Would you think it's to keep water (weather) out of the snorkel or for sound abatement (or both)? Below are links to photos of the Avenger CAI installed in my Journey. My link My link

Thank you for the correction and sorry for the mistype. Here's a link to a photo of the AVS hood shield on my Journey. Journey AVS deflector

I wish they had posted underhood pictures to see the CAI and the strut tower brace. The brace would be interesting given the location of the strut towers unless it's 3 point ,the mosr benefiial, that ties into the firewall. As for a CAI I modified/adapted a 2010 Avenger 3.5 K&N CAI (K&N P/N 69-2543TTK) to my 2011 Journey. It's a hybrid using stock and K&N parts. I'm thinking of extending the height of the airdam and make a top for it. I would attach pictures but the file size is to large. If Mopar comes out with one for the Avenger then it should be adaptible to the Journey. The ECU/PCM would be really interesting also. I had Mopar Performance ECMs on my '94 and '97 Dakotas (both 5.2) and '99 Ram 1500 (5.9). The remap is night and day when compared to stock. As for the exhaust I wonder how loud it would be just running dual mufflers (say using Magnaflows). This is the first vehicle I've owned where the resonator and muffler is one piece.

The AVS Bug Deflector ll (P/N 25404) extends over the to cover the leading edge of the fenders. Otherwise it has a similar profile to the Mopar accessory shield. I just installed one on my Journey and it fits great. It's held on by 2 screws and double sided tape. Also it's not listed for the 2011 so you have to order for the 2010. AVS P/N 25040 is the correct number for the Journey sorry for the mistype.

I've checked a few online catalogs using a 2010 3.5 and a 2011 3.6 and there are two different part numbers for replacement filters. I don't know if the airbox dimensions were changed for the new motor. The lids are a bit different as the feed tube has a somewhat different entry point. The air box base I would think it would have been reused to save per unit cost (unless the new motor required more volume). With this said K&N lists P/N 33-2423 http://www.knfilters...ws.aspx?ID=2021 as a drop-in for the 2010 V6 Journey. I haven't had a chance to actually compare the 2010 and 2011 filters myself but I'm sure some on here may have. As for a CAI that fits there's not one yet from any of the companies for the 2011 V6. The 2010 Avenger's 3.5 has one listed (K&N CAI P/N 69-2543TTK http://www.knfilters...Prod=69-2543TTK ). It looks like it would work with some modifications (one the snorkel entrance would have to be modified). I hope this helps more than confuses.

Thank you all for the compliments on my Journey's new shoes. Armendegga she already had 17" on her and I thought of going to different wheels but I thought going that far why not upgrade the tires. I've never had good luck with Kuhmos and these don't really impress in wet weather. The price difference really wasn't that much when I decided to change both.

I looked at several vehicles before buying my Journey. The dealer I bought mine from had a 2010 SXT I test drove then I drove the 2011 because I read a good bit about the Pentastar. The issues you speak of were addressed very nicely with the interior redesign and the Pentastar for power. The 2010 had the 19" wheels but otherwise similary equipped with 15K miles. The 2011's suspension feels more responsive than the 2010 in the handling depatment. I made it a point to drive the 2011 over the same route as I did the 2010. I could have gotten a real good deal on the '10 but the upgrades done were just to much to pass up. This reminds me when Dodge redesigned the Dakota for the '97 model year. At the time I owned a '94 Dakota SLT V8 and couldn't resist a test drive. All the issues I had with the interior were answered with the new body style. The powertrain and suspension were a relative carryover but it was like driving a completly different vehicle.

I posted I had tried 2011 Durango wheels but the fitment is off due to the offset of 56.4mm causing them to contact the front calipers. I wanted to stay with 18" wheels to have a better selection of tires (not to metion prices). I finally decided on American Racing AR95T 18x8, +30mm offset wheels. They compliment the blackberry pearl nicely. The tires are Nitto NT850+ CUV 235/60R-18 107V with a UTQG 500AAA. They ride well so far and generate about the same amount of noise as the stock Kumhos. I haven't had a chance to try them out in the rain but the reviews have them doing well.

Thank you for that info 2late4u about the weathertech visors. I've always used them and the fronts are great but the rears leave a bit to be desired. The last vehicle I had was an Avalanche and the rears actually had a snap in clip that held tension on the rear of the visor. This did seem a compromise but they staid in well. The only time I have the back windows open is when parked. The Journey does has an unusual cut to the top rear of the back door glass and I will kep this in mind..

I noticed this driving mine in the rain the first time. It can be very annoying to someone that drives with the window open just the slightest. You would think they would catch things like this in the wind tunnel testing or simulation. Hopefully the design team will correct it when/if the Journey gets a new body design. I plan on adding weathertech ventvisors soon but those will probably just redirect some but not all. The recirc setting for HVAC doesn't make the difference it should (my opinion). I'm not sure if having a cabin air filter makes that big a difference as this is the first vehicle i've owned with one. My have to remove it to check flow without it.

It's interesting to see the difference in packaging between a US and Can trim levels. The 2011 SE model is the Express here where as the SE Plus is basically the Mainstreet without the V6. Or am I missing something and the V6/6 speed auto included in the $1200 price difference of the SE Plus? To confuse things more ,at first, the SE is back in the US lineup for 2012. The SXT reads like a mix of Mainstreet and Crew. The cargo cover goes for about $250 US from the dealer and you have to wonder if a non equipped car will have the provisions in the rear trim panels for it. The sunscreen glass is a plus but that would be the only thing that would be easy to add afterward (depending on vehicle laws where you live). The dealer brochures are usually printed before the models hit the showroom floor and are rarely updated during the model year. The website is so much easier and less expensive to update but that fact doesn't make it any less irritating. The US website ,brochure and even the window sticker of my Mainstreet differ somewhat in equipment.

Tha brake assist and the stability control both use the brakes to aid in vehicle control. Depending on how aggresive the system is ,and how /where you drive, varies the amount of brake wear. Some systems can even affect fuel economy in certain driving situations. Dodge has had an iffy reputation when it comes to brake quality control for a long time. I plan on upgrading to ceramic pads and better rotors when the time comes.

I bought the Dodge accessory door sill protectors. They are stainless with the Dodge name on them. Odd thing is the fronts are a bit short in my opinion but cover the area that would be scuffed. The rears are the same length as the rear interior scuff plate so they will do a good job. I found mine on Ebay for $120 with free shipping. This link is in the Forum's accessory/modification section under useful links http://www.autoxclusive.com/xclusiveshop/index.php?cPath=7_209&osCsid=7e0726bb07d222458d51abd0cd8d0097 They have the door sill and a cover for the bumper pad below the hatch. Hope this helps

I'm working off the theory of the PCM's ability to adjust air/fuel and ignition timing so that E85 can be used. There can't be one static table for regular and E85. If this were the case E85 would be even more of a waste than it already is. I'm using mid grade (89 octane) since premium would be a waste without additonal tuning along with the ability to data log. In the southeastern US you can still find stations that advertise ethanol free though it's mostly premium (which my Z28 is happy about). As I stated the US EPA is pushing for a 15% ethanol content by 2020. On one hand there is a certain amount of practicality but for the most part I look at it like the clunker refunds - a way of pushing older cars (pre 1990 and I'm being generous) off the road.

Thank you for the information. So it's under the airbox location in front of the tire? At least that's close to the underhood electrical center. You would think behind the tire would be a better position for safety (NHTSA thinking here). When I opened the hood at the dealer ,on both the Journey and Durango, the first thought was the battery is somewhere in the back.

You are both most welcome and thank you Derek for posting a picture. I didn't think of doing that. I like to explore any different vehicle I get to locate itmes like this. The one thing i haven't done with the Journey is find the easiest way to access the battery (I'm assuming it's under the rear seats).

I had an Avalanche that was E85 capable. Chevrolet actually gave higher HP/TQ (+6/+10 if I remember right) ratings for the 5.3 if straight E85 was used given the 105 octane rating. This gives an idea the PCM adjusts timing and fuel delivery to compensate for the fuel used. But as stated you deal with a substantial drop in fuel economy. The Pentastar should have the same ability to adjust air/fuel ratio and timing depending on fuel used (but this is just my opinion). Given this I've been using mid grade ,like suggested for the 3.5HO, instead of regular in my 2011. Use of premium would probably be a waste unless there was tuning available to take advantage of it. Also the new fuel delivery systems are supposed to be designed to cope with the corrosive nature of E85 (no rubber in fuel lines ,o-rings etc...). In the US there is a goverment push for E15 to be a standard before 2020. And UPMedic I was under the impression ,as others, that all Pentastars were flex fuel. If you still have your Journey's window sticker is should be stated on there.

The interior fusebox location must have been another designer's joke. It is behind the glovebox on the far right but you access it through the hush panel underneath it. It's tucked up so you almost have stand on your head. The exterior cover has the fuse ratings/location printed on it. The BCM is mounted near it also.

That is interesting as the DRLs are part of Option Group 28E. The equipment in this group is ,or I would think, standard on the LUX. But then package content is altered/changed through the run of a model year. The sunscreen glass is supposed to be Mainstreet optional according to the model compare but it's listed as if it's standard on my Mainstreet's window sticker. In the Uconnect menu of your LUX is the option grayed out so it can't be selected? If so I would still think the dealer should be able to activate it using StarScan.

The 4.3 UConnect in my US spec Mainstreet has the option to have the DRLs on/off. I would think the 8.4 would have the same option. They are reduced power high beam and only come on with her running and in reverse or drive. Also the parking brake turns them off. If you don't have the option then I would think the dealer would be able to activate at no charge using Star Scan since it would be a vehicle violation in Canada otherwise (and she's brand new). But then it could be said you bought the car outside Canada and have to have it comply.

That is something i've been thinking about and yours looks great. When I was looking I noticed the Liberty has a factory package (JET I think was the pkg name) that comes with something similar. You would think the RT would come similar since they have the body color grill.

Another vehicle to consider is the 2011 Durango. I was surprised to find they have the same 5X127 bolt pattern and the base wheel is 18X8 with a 56.4mm positive offset. I found a set on Ebay and will post results/pictures once I have them on my Journey. I'm going with a 235/55-18 as it's very close to the 225/65-17 diamater and clearance shouldn't be a problem with width. This also opens up the possibilty of factory 20" wheels if someone wanted to go that route. I posted this in another thread and apologise for the additonal post. It actually fits better here than the other. EDIT: The Durango wheels mentioned will bolt up with no interference on the rear. However the difference in offset and thicker wheel hub contacts the caliper and would also have an issue in lock to lock with the front stabilizer bar. I decided to go with a 18x8 American racing AR95T with Nitto NT850+ CUV 235/60VR-18.

Another wheel alternative I've learned about is from the 2011 Durango. The base wheel is 18X8 with a 5X127 bolt pattern and 56.4mm positve offset. I found a set on Ebay and will post results and pictures once I get them mounted on my Journey. I'm going with a 235/55-18 as they are roughly the same diameter as the 225/65-17 on her now. EDIT: The Durango wheels will bolt up and have no clearance issues on the rear. However on the front the difference in offset and the thicker wheel hub rubs the caliper. A wheel spacer or wheel adaptor could be used (preferably hub centric for either) but I'm going with a different wheel (American Racing AR95T 18X8 with Nitto NT850+ CUV 235/60VR-18).

I've read through the brake threads and some other sources online about the issues with the Journey's brake system. First I have to say ,and some may already know, that Mopar has always had a poor reputation when it comes to brake issues with new vehicles. It's not surprising that this continues but the solution you're getting from the dealers seems to be an assembly line issue. If replacing the pads or simply cleaning and properly greasing the guides solves the issue then Dodge needs to look at the assembly line to start with. I'm not saying it couldn't be a parts quality issue also. I have almost 400mi on my 2011 with no brake noise so far (knock on wood). The factory pads do produce a lot of dust but this could be from the break in period for them. If it continues as heavy after 500mi then I'll ask the dealer what type of pads are used (obviously not ceramic if it continues).

You are most welcome for the info. The Journey's looked lighter than the factory tint on my Avalanche but i thought since the fronts weren't tinted yet was why. I went with 27% on the front doors which is the legal limit in SC. Also had the band on the top of the windshield done at 27%.