Originally Posted by riffdex

If you plan to delete some preinstalled apps, change the notification bar and system icons, and you do not know about coding/modifying the android OS, you will definitely need to install a custom ROM. That is, unless you know how to open a command line and type in the correct things to get the phone to accomplish this without having to ROM the phone (very complicated to learn and you will be very likely to brick your phone, especially if you have no knowledge of what you are doing). ROMing your Droid will be much safer and much easier for you to accomplish what you want.