Anyone have a Durango?

[JoshPeters]

I have a friend that's looking at a Durango, 1998 Vintage, 70,000 miles. 4. 7 V8. Anyone know of any problems with these? I don't know anything about them, but it would be nice to know what's what on them. Thanx





Josh

 

[Rotty]

My wife has a 2000 durango with 77k and 4. 7v8, 4wd. No problems so far other that a minor off idle stumble that a new flash finally took care of.

 

[gitchesum]

If it's a 98, it's got the old 5. 2L in it. The 4. 7L was introduced in the 2000 year model. There were three motors in 2000. THe 5. 9, 5. 2, and the 4. 7 We have a 2000 with the 5. 2L in it with over 80K miles on it. I've replaced the output speed sensor and a front wheel hub. The hub is a sealed unit so you can't just buy new bearings.



This truck sees mostly city driving and gets 16. 5-17. 5 mpg. On a trip to the East Coast, I averaged 19. 5 mpg in it. I am very happy with it. Everything is holding up fine in it. We try to take good care of it and it looks like we're doing a good job so far. This year it gets new tires, shocks and brakes. Still on the original brake pads.

 

[dresslered]

Wife loves it!

My wife has a 1999 Durango SLT+ with all the options. It has the "Magnum" 5. 2L SMPI V8 engine which has been proven over the years. The only complaint would be the horrible gas mileage. She has a lead foot and averages about 12 mpg (I can do better in our Ram with a 5000-lb. slide-in).



The only other concern that I might have is a possible class action law suit concerning the upper ball joints for the Durango and Dakota (see a thread that I started at https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=84882&highlight=Durango). So far, I haven't noticed anything substantial--just keep them well lubed.

 

[lmills]

just the ball joints that I know of.

 

[ndurbin]

My dad has a 2000 w/ the 5. 9 V8. Had right around 75,000 last I knew. What a gas hog. He's lucky to see 15 going downhill with the wind at his back. transmission shelled out on them in the middle of a vacation. Has had a bad fuel injection problem for the last year that he hasn't got figured out.



He useto take it everywhere but now it just stays home and they take my moms 03 liberty on long trips.

 

[jrobinson2]

My brother has a 2000 Durango 4x4 with a 5. 9 and around 80k, he changed the water pump around 45k and the trans output seal around 70k and currently has a heating problem when towing in temps over 100*. The front ball joints are a little looser than my 88 dakota with 240k but still not loose enough to cause any problems. He gets about 16. 5 mpg on the freeway and is very happy with it overall.

Jared

 

[Steve M]

We're real happy with ours. 12mpg in town and 20mpg hwy consistantly. I don't mind the mileage. It's heavy and tough as nails. Dealer replaced the right side control arm for a creeking bushing. Balljoint was ok. When traveling without the 5th wheel, we take the Durango. It's more fun to drive and gets better hwy mpg. I get 17mpg city and 19mpg hwy with my truck.

 

[Hammer]

I own,well actually my wife owns a 98 Durango SLT with all the options except leather. It has the thrid seat and rear air options and is a 5. 9(360)magnum. Its not the most fuel efficent thing in town but holds its own on the highway. Its a rocket ship when you need to tromp on the fat and loud pedal and does a very nice job of highway driving.



About the only two things I can think of as far as major problems are the ball joints,which wear excessively fast,and the fuel tank,which has a recall for the straps.



One thing if your looking at one to condsider is finding one with rear air,third seat and the part time 4x4 options as resale value is much higher optioned like this. If you buy a pre-2000 find a 5. 9(360) as they were much better on fuel than the 5. 2(318)'s were.



Insatll a good performance computer from Ma Mopar,Air intake and a free flowing exhaust and watch it liven up and the fuel milage increase big time.



Nice little SUV that manuvers well and rides decent... ... Andy

 

[DKayser]

MPG

All the Durango owners I have met at the pump all ***** about the mpg they Don`t get. When I tellthem our Grand Cherokee gets 15/21, they Our 93 has 157 K, so it is gonna go in another year or 2. I hope the new ones with the hemi( small block, small case) do better than I`ve been told. Love the 04`s looks. They should have made a 2nd gen version. DK.

 

[Steve M]

The odds of meeting other Durango owners at the pump are pretty slim. Much less striking up conversation with them. You must time it just right.

 

[RustyJC]

My wife has a 2000 SLT+ Durango 5. 9L with all the goodies. She loves the thing, and it's been pretty bulletproof so far (30K miles). The gas mileage is not great, but if you want 20 MPG, the Durango isn't your ride!



Rusty

 

[WadePatton]

A friend (female) of mine has a 99 4x2 5. 9 full-deck, leather and all. I change her oil and we have the Factory Manual, no problems.

 

[tpuig]

I traded a '99 SLT+ 4x4 fully loaded (except I special ordered the rear seat delete). Never had one problem with it in about 55k of driving. Pulled over 20 vehicles out of fields and towed a couple cars. Not too much difference between the 5. 2 and 5. 9. The 5. 2 will get you a mpg or two better, and the 5. 9 will tow a bit better. My mileage was about 14-15, unless I slowed down and used cruise control, then it was about 18-19 downhill with a tailwind. It's the heaviest duty "medium" suv, built on a the Dakota base. If I didn't have my '03 cummins, I'd still be driving it.



There are little quirks with certain years, but overall a very good vehicle. Take a peek at the Durango Owner's Club forum, you'll see tons of info, almost as good as the TDR, 'cept much smaller.

http://www.durangoclub.com/ceilidh/ceilidh.html

Hope this helps.

TP

 

[JoshPeters]

Thanks TP. I'll look there as well.



Thanks everyone for the replies! My friend appreciates it.



Josh