1973 Dodge Charger Pro Street on 2040-cars

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How to update and secure a vulnerable Chrysler Uconnect system

If you own one of the 1.4 million vehicles affected by the recent Chrysler software recall, you may want to watch this video. In it, we explain how to get the latest infotainment software loaded onto the 8.4-inch Uconnect system. The recall was a response to the findings of researchers who were able to hack into and remotely control a 2014 Jeep Cherokee through its cellular connection. Although Fiat Chrysler has worked with Sprint to plug most of the holes on the carrier side, there are still some vulnerabilities that only this latest software version can patch. Owners have three options to get the update: download it now, wait for a USB stick in the mail, or take the vehicle to an FCA dealer. Chrysler will be sending USB sticks loaded with the software update to customers. Anyone with an internet connection and a USB stick of their own with at least 4 GB capacity can speed things up by downloading the patch from the Uconnect website. We cover that process from start to finish in the video, with the final portion still applicable to those using the FCA-supplied USB stick. If after watching this you still don't want to tackle the patch yourself, you can take your vehicle to the dealer to have it done. Also note that this process is the same for all Uconnect updates, not just the one patching the exploits. Our demonstrator vehicle is a 2015 Ram 1500 pickup. The procedure should be very similar on other products with the 8.4-inch Uconnect system, with only the location of the USB port varying. Once you have the USB stick with the software on it – either after having downloaded it yourself or receiving it in the mail from Chrysler – the installation process is relatively simple. It takes about 15 minutes to perform the update; we edited out the wait in the video. To check whether or not your car's 8.4-inch Uconnect system is running the latest software, go to System Information on the touch screen's Settings page and look at Software Version. The update related to the recall is version 15.17.5. Related Video: Recalls Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Safety Technology Infotainment Videos Original Video hacking

Before Jay Leno, this 1970 Dodge Charger was a SEMA star

When Jay Leno drives an awesome car, enthusiasts take note, and this week the internet blew up over the 1970 Dodge Charger resto-mod that starred in a recent Garage episode. But you might not remember: this strapping Charger, called "Tantrum," was one of the highlights of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas last fall. Here's another look at a true Mopar monster. The power: Yep, Tantrum has 1,650 horsepower. That's more than two Hellcats worth of power under the hood. It's a twin-turbo 9.0-liter Mercury Racing engine with a quad-cam four-valve setup. Basically, it's a V8 boat motor developed for cars. Mercury Marine is the crew that developed the V8 for the 1990s Chevy Corvette ZR-1. That all-aluminum LT-5 under the hood cranked out 405 hp – an astronomical figure for the time – and helped make the ZR-1 an icon. Take a listen to Tantrum's 9.0-liter Mercury mill below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Who's behind all of this? SpeedKore, a Wisconsin-based performance shop that does one-off pro touring builds. It specializes in remaking Detroit muscle with modern features like carbon fiber, bespoke interiors, and powerful engines. SpeedKore is pretty good at it. Before it threw a Tantrum, it did the "Cudinator" used in some of the Fast and the Furious movies. You might not know: Tantrum won the Best Domestic category of the GT Awards at SEMA – chosen by your author. The sinister looks were the hook, and the crazy engine solidified its performance cred. Related Video: Image Credit: SpeedKore Design/Style Dodge Coupe Performance Videos Jay Lenos Garage 1970 dodge charger resto mod

Chrysler Recalling Nearly 907,000 Cars, SUVs

Nearly 907,000 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep SUVs and cars are being recalled for alternators that can fail and heated power mirror wiring that can short and cause minor fires. The recalls, posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators, push the total number of recalls so far this year 544, totaling a record of more than 52 million vehicles. The largest of Thursday's recalls covers nearly 470,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees, Chrysler 300s, and Dodge Chargers, Challengers and Durangos from the 2011 through 2014 model years. The alternators can fail, causing the 3.6-liter V6 engines to stall unexpectedly. The problem also can cause the electrical system to fail, as well as knock out power-assisted steering, antilock brakes and electronic stability control. It can even cause fire or smoke, according to documents Chrysler filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA opened an investigation into the problem in July, and Chrysler began its own probe in August. The company analyzed warranty complaints and alternators that had failed. The alternator generates electricity to recharge the battery and run other devices. Chrysler investigators traced the problem to heat fatigue in an alternator diode. Chrysler said it received 322 complaints about the problem, while 55 people complained to NHTSA. The company said it knows of one crash related to the problem, but no injuries or fires. The company will replace the alternators with upgraded versions for free. Owners will be notified in November. The company says customers who see warning lights or suspect a problem should contact their dealers. The recall affects cars and SUVs sold mainly in the U.S. and Canada, but some were sold in Mexico and overseas markets. The second recall covers almost 437,000 Jeep Wranglers from 2011 through 2013. Water can find its way into the heated power mirror wiring harness and cause corrosion. That can cause a short and could cause a minor fire and smoke, as well as cause loss of function of the mirror. The problem was discovered in February after three Wranglers in Canada were damaged. Chrysler says it has 26 complaints about the problem, but it knows of no fires, crashes or injuries. Dealers will move the wiring and install a protective shield to keep water out at no cost to owners, starting in December. Most of the Wranglers are in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, but more than 78,000 were sold overseas.