Ever wonder what happens when a regular guy with a wrench set and a big dream decides to go all-in on a Dodge Charger build? Meet Andres Martinez (@slammed6.4), a dedicated Mopar enthusiast who's taken his 2018 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 from showroom fresh to show-stopping custom with one of the most unique mods in the modern Charger community.
How It All Started
Like many of us, Andres caught the car bug back in high school. "I first got into cars when I was in high school and the popular movie that was out at the time was The Fast and Furious," Andres tells us. "It was a movie like none other when it came to cars and motivated me to one day have a fun custom car."
After owning a few rides that didn't quite hit the mark, everything changed when his brother's Challenger pulled him into the Mopar scene. After saving up for a solid down payment, Andres pulled the trigger on a 2018 Dodge Charger Daytona 392.
"After test driving it I fell in love with it," he says simply.
Not Your Average Build
What makes Andres' Charger stand out in a crowded scene? Custom suicide doors with shaved handles - a mod practically unheard of on modern Chargers.
"I wanted to do something to stand out at the car shows," Andres explains. "A lot of Mopars were doing vertical doors. I wanted to be different."
His inspiration came from the seeing older generation Chargers and 300s at car shows that rocked suicide doors, but nobody was bringing that style to the modern platform.
Don’t mistake this for a simple bolt-on mod, though. This transformation required serious fabrication and a level of craftsmanship that goes far beyond your average garage project.
“A lot of molding to make them close and cutting and welding. It took a lot of work, resulting in months in the shop,” he recalls.
Every step demanded precision and patience. The team at Reno’s Garage became intimately familiar with the challenges unique to fitting suicide doors on a modern platform. To ensure the doors wouldn’t sag over time and would maintain perfect alignment, they welded reinforcement bars inside each door panel. This crucial step not only preserved the car’s structural integrity but also guaranteed a smooth, factory-quality open and close every time.
From custom molding to extensive metalwork, every detail was painstakingly addressed. The process involved countless test fits, adjustments, and late nights at Reno’s Garage, where passion and expertise came together to bring this ambitious vision to life. The result is more than just a showpiece-it’s a testament to what’s possible when creativity meets true craftsmanship.
There's always a trade-off with radical mods. "My biggest takeaway was losing the convenience of freely opening the doors like a normal car," Andres admits. With shaved door handles, he relies on a control door popper button on a keypad. If that fails? "I need to reach in over my window to my inside door handle to open my door. Losing some factory convenience is part of going custom lol."
The Full Package
This Charger isn't just about the doors. Over seven years of ownership, Andres has transformed nearly every aspect except the engine (which is next on his list).
His parts list reads like a who's who of premium aftermarket brands:
- Carbon fiber components from Blackops Auto Works, Family Customs, and Anderson Composites
- Lighting upgrades from Lighting Trendz
- AG wheels wrapped in Continental rubber
- Air suspension from Accuair and Universal Air
- Carven exhaust
- Components from Vicrez and American Car Craft
- And of course, Suicide door hinges from Vertical Doors Kit, Inc
Most of his installs were done at Reno's Garage, showing Andres knows when to DIY and when to call in the pros.
Advice For Fellow Builders
For those looking to modify their own Chargers, Andres keeps it real:
"If looks is what you want to get into first, I would say to start small like I did with a front splitter, side skirts and some DIY work."
When asked what tools you need to get started, he keeps it simple: "Basic mods all you need is a wrench set. A lot can be done with a good complete tool kit."
And the cost? "Some of my simpler mods aren't too bad, but for example if you want to get into air bags and wheels that could easily be thousands in just that. I've invested a lot in this car but it's been throughout the years."
The Future of the Build
What's next for this already impressive Charger? Andres has his sights set on "custom interior upholstery work and more horsepower." He's already been talking with performance shops about engine upgrades.
Long term, he has a unique vision: "I see this build being known for bringing back an old school mod for the new generation Dodge Chargers and seeing more with suicide doors in the future."
Perhaps most touching is his plan to eventually pass the car down to his son - turning this labor of love into a family legacy.
Community Matters
Like any true car guy, Andres credits the community with helping his journey. "Yes, all Mopar groups online can be helpful and talking with other enthusiasts. Mostly everyone in the car community is willing to help out from the super modded guys to the guys that just like keeping their cars stock for preference."
For anyone looking to tackle a similar project, Andres offers this final bit of wisdom: "Pretty much to do this all you get is 2 big hinges, one for each door. The rest is imagination and fabrication. There really isn't a ready to go bolt-on kit. But it can be done, just takes patience."
Want to see more of Andres' killer Charger build? Follow him on Instagram @slammed6.4
