In the world of truck customization, some modifications are hard and some are really easy, and nine times out of ten the hard ones are tough on the budget. We here at the magazine try to show you all things cool no matter the cost, but sometimes we come across a few mods that are easy on the wallet and even easier to install. Just about every truck we see at the shows is capped on each end by clear lenses, and the headlights give off that oh-so-cool ultra-white light. We wanted our in-house '99 Dakota to have a slice of that cool; that way, we didn't have to rely on the big 5.9L motor to supply it all. We toured APC's (American Products Corporation) facility on our State 2 State Cruise and thought it would have just what we needed. APC has been dishing out budget-minded products for years and had a few options for the Dakota. We decided to go with the company's clear corners and ultra-white headlight bulbs for the front and a set of euro taillights out back. These products will fit '97-and-newer Dakotas and are a must if you want to look custom. All the stuff is street-legal and can be installed with just a set of torque head screw drivers, and at right around 300 bucks, it won't empty your bank account. Even with us snapping photos, all the lenses were installed in less than 30 minutes.
Here are all the lighting...
Here are all the lighting products we will throw at the Dakota to get it looking clean. The front corners have a lot less orange in them, but just enough to keep Johnny Law off our case. The headlight bulbs will illuminate a brighter white light and will also throw a blue cast when off. The rear taillights feature jeweled lenses and a chrome surround.
Here is the Dakota. It's an...
Here is the Dakota. It's an R/T, but we installed chrome bumpers, a Cervini's hood, and a billet grille to make it a little different. The addition of the lighting upgrades will cap off the ends of the truck and help out the looks.
1. The headlights are pretty...
1. The headlights are pretty easy to swap out: Just trace the harness down to the back of the headlamp and twist the whole bulb assembly out. You can install the bulb right here, but we decided to unplug it and take it to the bench.
2. Putting the bulb back in...
2. Putting the bulb back in is a snap: It's just the reverse of how you got it out. APC warns not to touch the glass part of the bulb at any time with your hands; the oils on your skin could make a hot spot and burn the bulb out.
3. Here is a side-by-side...
3. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the headlights. As you can see, the APC (left) bulb gives off much more light than the stock bulb (right).
4. To get out the corners,...
4. To get out the corners, there is a small torque head screw hiding below the lower corner of the headlight.
5. When the screw is removed,...
5. When the screw is removed, the corner assembly slides straight out, just enough so you can undo the bulbs.
6. The bulbs come out by twisting...
6. The bulbs come out by twisting them about 30 degrees. Then all you have to do is install them into your new corners.
7. Slide them back on the...
7. Slide them back on the truck and install the factory screw.
8. The taillights are held...
8. The taillights are held in with two screws in the tailgate jam.
9. The light bulbs twist out...
9. The light bulbs twist out the same way as the corner bulbs.
10. The lights are made from...
10. The lights are made from a factory mold, so they fit just like the originals.
11. Here you can see the Dakota...
11. Here you can see the Dakota will get some attention, but not from our local five-O because all the products are street-legal. At right around 300 dollars, it won't put you in the poor house.