Restoring a Stolen Dodge Demon 170

InfoThis is a summary of the following YouTube video:

Rebuilding The First STOLEN Dodge Demon 170!

ScrapLifeLee

Oct 9, 2024

·

Autos & Vehicles

Rebuilding a stolen Dodge Demon 170

  1. The narrator purchased a stolen Dodge Demon 170 for $20,000, which initially seemed unwise, but the situation improved as the police recovered the drivetrain before the thieves could dispose of it. This included the transmission, differential, Brembo brakes, and some interior parts, with only 61 miles on the car.
  2. The original chassis was severely damaged, cut into multiple pieces, rendering it unusable. The solution was to find a new chassis and transfer the salvaged parts from the Demon 170 to build a new car from scratch.
  3. A new chassis was acquired from a theft recovery auction at Copart for $6,500. Unlike the original Demon 170, which had a certificate of destruction, this new chassis had a salvage title, allowing it to be inspected and registered for road use once rebuilt.
  4. The rebuilding process began with ordering numerous parts to outfit and paint the body. This included a new Demon hood, which required proof of ownership to purchase due to VIN restrictions, and hood hinges sourced from existing shop supplies.
  5. The project involved using parts from multiple Hellcats, including hood hinges and mirrors from a 2016 Hellcat, highlighting the extensive use of various car components in the rebuild. The process was described as a lifestyle, emphasizing the complexity and dedication involved in the project.

Rebuilding a Dodge Demon 170 from parts

  1. The project involves rebuilding a Dodge Demon 170, which was stolen and stripped, using parts from another theft recovery Hellcat chassis.
  2. The front bumper assembly is being reconstructed, focusing on the lower grill and black lip spoiler, which requires painting.
  3. Dodge's design allows for easy serviceability with a bolted front frame assembly, unlike traditional welded radiator supports.
  4. The hood latch was successfully tested, ensuring the front end is functional before attaching the bumper.
  5. Fenders from a Scat Pack are used, as they are compatible with the build, though not original Hellcat parts.
  6. The front bumper is temporarily attached with limited mounting points to avoid permanent modifications before painting.
  7. The rear of the car is easier to assemble, with the rear bumper and trunk sourced from a black Hellcat.
  8. Care is taken to avoid damaging the rear windshield during assembly, highlighting the fragility of the parts.

Rebuilding a Dodge Demon 170 from scratch

  1. The project involves rebuilding a stolen and stripped Dodge Demon 170, which is now painted pink. The original chassis was compromised by a chop shop, but the drivetrain was saved.
  2. The plan is to use another theft recovery Hellcat chassis to reconstruct the Demon 170. This involves significant modifications to fit the Demon 170 specifications.
  3. The rear window needs replacement, and the team hopes to source it from another parts car. The current spoiler is a Hellcat spoiler, but the project requires an SRT spoiler, which is standard on the Demon 170.
  4. The 2018 Demon models have widebody fender flares on all corners, but the Demon 170 only has rear fender flares for aerodynamic reasons. The new chassis is a narrow body Hellcat, lacking provisions for these flares.
  5. Options for adding fender flares include using aftermarket sets or OEM flares. The decision is to use OEM flares for authenticity, requiring cutting and fitting widebody quarter panels onto the narrow body chassis.
  6. The process involves cutting out sections of the widebody rear quarter panel and fitting them onto the narrow body. This is not standard procedure and involves complex modifications.
  7. The outer fender arch is crucial and is attached to the outer skin of the quarter panel with stitch welds. The inner arch is set inside the inner quarter panel structure, complicating the fitting process.
  8. The fitting process requires cutting a similar size hole in the narrow body quarter panel and adjusting the fit. The initial fit is close, but further adjustments are needed to ensure proper alignment.

Rebuilding a stolen Dodge Demon 170

  1. The project involves rebuilding a stolen and stripped Dodge Demon 170, which was recovered before the drivetrain was lost.
  2. The team is using a theft recovery Hellcat chassis to reconstruct the Demon 170 from scratch.
  3. A template made from painter's tape is used to align and drill holes for fender flares, though its accuracy is uncertain.
  4. High-confidence holes are drilled first to ensure proper alignment, with adjustments made as needed for any misaligned holes.
  5. The fender flares are fitted, with some holes needing adjustment, but overall alignment is achieved.
  6. The car is temporarily mounted on a cart for transport, with modifications made to secure it properly.
  7. The cart's knobs were replaced with a nut and bolt system to prevent movement during transport.
  8. The car is painted in Panther Pink, a rare and classic Dodge color from 1970, to honor the heritage of Dodge's last true muscle car.

Rebuilding a unique Dodge Demon 170

  1. Dodge offered a special Demon 170 Jailbreak Edition to select individuals, mainly celebrities and high-ranking Dodge personnel, for an additional $30,000 on top of the MSRP. Each car was painted in a unique color, including Panther Pink.
  2. The narrator is building their own version of the Demon 170 from scratch, using a theft recovery Hellcat chassis. This version is a 'salvage knockoff' of the original Panther Pink Demon 170, allowing for more freedom in usage without concern for preserving its condition.
  3. The build process involves painting the car on a rotisserie, allowing for a comprehensive paint job. The entire car, including the interior and underbody, is painted pink, with optional matte black accents on the trunk, roof, and part of the hood.
  4. A major challenge in the build is acquiring all necessary parts, as the car needs every component from bolts to plastic push pins. The narrator considers two options: buying parts from a Dodge dealership or purchasing a wrecked car for parts.
  5. The chosen solution is to buy a wrecked 2015 SRT 392 from a salvage auction, which provides most of the needed components. This approach is cost-effective compared to buying new parts from a dealership.
  6. The hood of the rebuilt car is similar to the 2018 Demon, with the only difference being a logo indicating alcohol injection. The narrator is experienced with this process, ensuring proper alignment and installation.

Rebuilding Dodge Demon 170 with parts car

  1. The process involves using push pins to attach components, which can be challenging as they need to be inserted blindly from the bottom side. These components are bolted in with large plastic pieces and an 8 mm bolt.
  2. There was an issue with the factory preassembled parts for the Dodge Demon hood scoop, where the wrong size bolts were used. The parts came with M5 screws, but M6 screws were needed, indicating a possible oversight at the factory.
  3. The Demon hood is designed to intake air through a large scoop, which is then routed through the hood and out. The air is directed into the intake filter via an air grabber bezel that seals against the airbox.
  4. The realization of the need for a parts car came when it was clear that many components, such as the lower radiator mount and windshield washer reservoir, were missing. The parts car, purchased for $99,900, provided essential components and could potentially be profitable due to the value of its drivetrain and other parts.
  5. The bumper components from the parts car are not entirely compatible, as the 392 bumpers are designed for fog lights, while the Demon 170 bumpers are not. The 392 also has unique features like adaptive cruise control and brake ducts.
  6. The assembly of the bumper involves using a plain lower grill from the dealership and reusing the outer trim ring from the original car. The process of clipping together plastic bumper pieces is noted as particularly difficult.
  7. The final assembly includes attaching the SRT grill and a lip spoiler to the front bumper, completing the reconstruction of the front end.

Rebuilding Dodge Demon 170 with new parts

  1. The narrator discusses the installation of a new bumper on a Dodge Demon 170, noting its heavier weight compared to its original state. The bumper's design is similar to previous models since 2015, which the narrator finds surprising given the Demon 170's significance as one of Dodge's last muscle cars with an internal combustion engine.
  2. The narrator is searching for specific headlights with a direct connection logo that originally came with the Demon 170. Despite finding the part number, these headlights are unavailable from dealers or secondhand sources.
  3. As an alternative, the narrator considers using headlights from a Dodge 392, which are in decent condition but lack the air catcher feature found in Hellcat and Demon models. The air catcher headlights have a hollowed-out section and an LED assembly with a logo, which is not present in the 392 headlights.
  4. The narrator discovers a set of new headlights from a Dodge dealership that includes the desired LED pieces. These headlights are part of a direct connection catalog and come with a wiring harness and Mopar branded zip ties, which the narrator finds amusing.
  5. The new headlights were purchased at a great price, allowing the narrator to potentially recoup the cost by selling the used headlights from the 392. The headlights come with blockoff plugs that can be removed to enable the air catcher feature.
  6. The narrator demonstrates the functionality of the new headlights using a wiring harness and a battery. Unlike other models with specific logos, these headlights feature Dodge Racing Stripes, which the narrator considers the second-best option after the direct connection logo.

Rebuilding a pink Dodge Demon 170

  1. The narrator expresses surprise at building a bright pink car, which they initially found hard to believe would look tough.
  2. The car being built is a Dodge Demon 170, and the process involves some rear-end work and dealing with unexpected issues like sand in the spoiler.
  3. The rear view camera harness is installed, and the spoiler is attached, which fits the car's curvature better than older models.
  4. A tail light from another Hellcat is installed, and the narrator humorously notes losing track of how many Hellcats have been used in the build.
  5. The tail lights are secured with twist-on plastic retainers, making them easy to install or remove without tools.
  6. The car starts to resemble a complete vehicle as the rear wide body setup is added, despite debates over whether fender flares constitute a wide body.
  7. The wide body installation involves simple clips and screws, and the narrator praises the welding work done on salvaged parts from the original Demon 170.
  8. The narrator humorously describes the process of aligning and attaching clips, noting the satisfaction and slight fear involved.
  9. The final touch involves attaching badges with no official measurement data, relying on pictures to position them accurately.
  10. The narrator and Fernando discuss the appearance of the badges, using the fender line as a guide to ensure they are straight.

Rebuilding a stolen Dodge Demon 170

  1. The project involves rebuilding a Dodge Demon 170 that was stolen and stripped, leaving it without a drivetrain, wiring, or interior, but now painted pink.
  2. The rebuild is costly, with expenses including $10,851 at a Dodge dealership and $9,500 for a complete paint job, resulting in a visually impressive outcome.
  3. The narrator expresses satisfaction with the car's appearance, noting it exceeded expectations in its new pink color.
  4. A police report exists detailing the theft and recovery of the Demon 170, including pictures, names, and locations, but legal clearance is needed before sharing.
  5. The narrator hints at more information to be revealed in the next episode, building anticipation for further details on the car's story.