Illustration by Jason Rus...
Illustration by Jason Rushforth
In this issue, we're taking a look at the retro style that is making a comeback in the truck scene. There is just something about throwing some old-school flavor on new-school lines. One of the better trucks to apply this style is the Dodge Dakota --not only do these trucks have that musclecar look, but they also came with a musclecar motor. We happen to have a '99 R/T fitted with the 5.9L powerplant in our Sport Truck garage that is just dying to be retro-ized. Because the truck just sits around, it has been kind of a dumping ground for installs, with no real theme or direction.
That is all about to end starting with this shaker hood install. We had Jason Rushforth sketch us out a rendering to aid us on our journey to Retroville. The plan of attack is to install the Keystone shaker hood and then bolt on the Cuda exhaust package from MBRP and a set of steel wheels. Then we will turn our attention under the hood and see if some of the tricks of old will work with this computer-controlled powerplant. The Functional ram-air Shaker Scoop Good Hood from Keystone is constructed out of a fiberglass composite with a steel reinforcement for added durability. The underside panel of the hood is smooth for a complete, finished look with no raw edges or loose fiberglass "strings" to detract from appearance. The hood has a gel-coat finish for easy prep 'n' paint and mounts up to the factory hood hinges with no modifications required. The hood kit comes complete with the Shaker Scoop assembly and mounting brackets, chrome air cleaner, ram air box, instructions, and all the hardware.
We drove to Venable Kustoms in Huntington Beach, California, to have Marcel and Bret install our shaker. They will also be painting the truck as well as doing more installs, so don't be surprised if you see a lot more of them. Keep checking back because we plan on touching every part of this truck with some sort of classic musclecar element, including swapping out the cam and massaging the heads to parallel this truck with the heyday of lumpy cams and fat tires.
 Obviously, the first step...  Obviously, the first step in this Keystone hood install would be the removal of the stock hood. The grille shell and supports are also unbolted and set a side. |  Here you can see the 5.9L...  Here you can see the 5.9L that these trucks come with. Check out the K&N FIPK mounted up on the throttle body. As well as that worked for us, it had to go, so we decided to give it to a friend so he could enjoy it as much as we did. |  Bret "French Dip" Bumgarner...  Bret "French Dip" Bumgarner and Marcel were suckered into installing this shaker while we sat back and took photos. The hood is bolted directly to the factory hinges with the stock hardware. |
 Now the grille shell is installed,...  Now the grille shell is installed, but the bolts are not tightened all the way. This will allow Marcel to make adjustments later. |  The base of the round air...  The base of the round air cleaner is bolted to the base of the shaker assembly with the provided hardware. |  Before the base assembly can...  Before the base assembly can be installed, you have to thread the S-shaped stud into the throttle body. |
 With that done, you can plop...  With that done, you can plop the lid over the air cleaner. |  The upper piece of the shaker...  The upper piece of the shaker is screwed to the base into these screw clips that have to be slid over the base and lined up with the predrilled holes. |  The rubber gasket that will...  The rubber gasket that will provide the seal between the hood and scoop assembly is wrapped around the top portion of the shaker. |
 Now it is screwed to the base...  Now it is screwed to the base with the provided screws. |  Now Marcel adjusts the hood,...  Now Marcel adjusts the hood, shaker scoop, and grille assembly. When he is happy with the fit, all the hardware is tightened. |  Now the hood latch assembly...  Now the hood latch assembly is installed, again with the factory hardware. |
 As you can see, this Keystone...  As you can see, this Keystone shaker hood gives us a great first step on the road to retro as well as stuffing the motor full of nice, fresh cold air. |  | |