Member of the Durango Owners Club 

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Durango Mobile Office

Door to Door Co-Pilot GPS Antenna shown in the cargo area. (inset)

I use my Durango for work.  My company, CEH Consulting provides computer networking and Internet consulting to small businesses.  One of the solutions we developed for one of our clients is the mobile office configuration seen above.  This system features a NEC Versa LX computer connected to a Treo 300 Smartphone for wireless Internet access. The computer uses the Smartphone as a cellular modem. It also features an Orinoco 802.11 wireless network adapter and external 2.4 GHz magnetic antenna for mobile 802.11 network access.  Also pictured is a Mobile Office Vehicle workcenter by AutoExec.  

This is a picture of the Donnelly Electronics Rearview ECT Mirror that I installed in my Durango.  It's a great product.   It took about 4 hours to install and the compass and thermometer are both very accurate.  Click on the picture for more information and a close up picture of the mirror.

Here's my Durango, doing what it does best....  hauling stuff!!  In the picture on the left, I'm transporting a Compaq Proliant 7000 rack-mount server.  In the picture on the right, my old Zodiac Z131 inflatable boat is loaded up, ready for a day of fishing.  Below are pictures of my Durango with my new Mercury 340 Airdeck inflatable boat and the receiver hitch rack I built to transport the Mercury 9.9 HP Four Stroke outboard and fuel tank.  The boat is held on securely by a Thule Rack System      

Even though this truck works for a living, it isn't afraid to play in the dirt and rocks.  This is a washed out road in Western Massachusetts.

Here's my Durango in the snow.  The Part Time 4WD system is excellent, and the Michelin LTX M/S have added significantly to its capability.
   

Pictured above is a Rubbermaid Low Totelocker.  It fits perfectly in the back of my Dodge Durango, even with the third row seat up.	Above is a cool hitch mounted recovery shackle that I picked up for my Durango from Rubicon 4x4.
After 5 years, and 100,000 miles my stock battery finally died.  I replaced it with an Optima Red Top.
Pictured above are the new Auto Ventshade In Channel Vent Visors that I got for my truck.  A very nice product that is easy to install and keeps the stock appearance of the vehicle.  They are a great improvement, allowing you to leave the windows open about an inch during the winter months to keep the windows from fogging.  A real problem in New England, especially during snowstorms.  They also help smooth the air flow over the windows when open, making wind buffeting less of an issue.
On the dashboard is my Eric Cartman totem.  "Screw you guys, I'm going home!"	I picked up a nice Anson 1:27 scale model of my Durango.  Have I mentioned that I really like my Durango.

Durango Camper Concept

No doubt that some of you have seen my postings about using my Durango as an occasional camper and where can I source bug screens?  I did find two manufacturers of bug screens for trucks, but neither made a screen for the Durango.  I decided that I could make the screens better myself, and did.

Here is how I made the window screens for the back windows of my 1999 Durango. 

I started by purchasing a two, ten foot rolls of 1/2" wide magnetic tape to make a seal around each back window.  The magnet side faces the Durango, the adhesive side faces out.  Each ten foot roll was $7 at my local hardware store.	Then, I attached dark charcoal-colored fiberglass window screen to the exposed adhesive on the 1/2" magnet tape.  The window screen cost less than $1 per foot.  The screen is very soft and flexible and won't scratch the finish.
Carefully, I removed the screen from the window and placed it on a cutting board so that I could trim the screen flush with the magnetic tape.  I used a straight edge and a razor knife to trim the screen.	Next, I finished the edge of the screen with black Duct Tape to hold the magnetic tape securely to the screen, and to give the project a finished look.  The tape is folded around the front and back of the screen.
This is what the finished window screen looks like.  I made both screens for $21.00 and in under two hours total.  I store them flat in a sheet of cardboard.	I am using a Coleman twin-sized air mattress in the back.  The Durango is actually 48" wide between the wheel wells, so there's about 6 inches of room on one side.
Here is a picture of my Durango camper with two windows screens installed.  I have probably logged about ten nights in the camper and it is very comfortable.	This is the Innotec 12V 2 Speed Oscillating Fan that I installed in my Durango camper.  It is essential to help circulate air through the cabin.  It was purchased from JCWhitney
These window screens will also be useful when I take my Durango to the Drive-In Movies.  Much better than wearing bug spray.  Check back for more pictures of my Durango Camper Concept.  This year I am planning on adding a Texsport SUV Tent that mounts on the tailgate.

Durango Communications
 

On the left side I have a Cobra 75 WX ST CB Radio.  A great all in one unit that features NOAA weather bands.  It is secured to the dash using a Panavise ClipCaddy.  On the right side of the dash is my Kyocera QCP-6035 Smartphone tri mode cellular phone which is also secured using a ClipCaddy.  The ClipCaddy is secured to the dashboard using a Panavise InDash mount. Available from most cellular phone installers for about $ 25.00.  A really nice product that allows you to mount your cellular phone using existing holes under the dashboard trim.	Here are some close ups of the ClipCaddies.  The second ClipCaddy is mounted on a Panavise InDash mount.  I like the ClipCaddy because it looks like an OEM addition to my Durango.  I did not want to screw some cheesy chrome microphone clip onto my dashboard.  Also, the ClipCaddy features rubber bumpers to hold the CB Radio and cellphone securely.   According to Panavise, it easily attaches to any smooth surface in the vehicle. Holds "button back" phones. Leather case belt clips can also easily slide into the clip caddy. Extra buttons and self-adhesive discs are included to convert any phone to "button back" mounting.
Here is a picture of the FireStick DS-14 CB/WX Antenna that I mounted on the roof of my Durango near the liftgate.  It ain't truly yours till you drill a hole in it.	Here is a picture of the TRAM 2M Glass Mount Antenna (COM-14411) that I use with my Alinco DJ-196 HT Amateur Radio.

Latest Project

	First.... a little history When I bought my first SUV, a 1987 Isuzu Trooper (I bought it new). I wanted to get this roof mounted air deflector with hideaway off-road lights. I remember seeing advertisements for them in popular automotive magazines at the time. I haven't thought about it  in a long time.   About a month ago, I saw a guy with a 1991 Toyota pick up and he had one on his truck. I started thinking about how this air deflector would take the place of my Thule Air Deflector for my roof rack and give me some high mounted off-road lights.
Low and behold I found one on ebay and snatched it up. It is so cool. Above is a picture of my find from the listing. The  pictures below are of the unit as I am rebuilding it.  It’s my goal to have it finished and mounted on my D before the Durango Mini-Meet in Connecticut. It needs to be sanded and repainted.  I have already rebuilt the mechanism and lubed it.  To give you an idea of the size of the spoiler, it is 46" wide. I test fitted it on the roof of my truck and it looks great. The lights are 6" in diameter. It uses H-3 55 watt halogen bulbs.

History

Here is a picture of me with my 1987 Isuzu Trooper.  My first 4x4.  I have owned an SUV, long before it was fashionable.	Here is a picture of my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited.  I really liked this vehicle.  I have owned SUVs for 20 years.

If you have questions or comments, please e-mail me at ceh@cehconsulting.com

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