Thanks a lot DC. Now we have to buy a Ford

[JConley]

The time has come to sell our Durango. This last week, we went to the beach, and as much as we love the Durango, it lacks a few items that we need.



1. The AC is weak, and with the temps being over 100 degrees for the last 15 days, this is getting old. It has been to the dealer 3 times for this issue, and I think it is an engineering problem rather than a mechanical problem.



2. The Durango really heats up when sitting in traffic. Lack of cooling is again an engineering problem.



3. More room would be nice for the long trips that we take every year. A visit to a parent or grandparent is over 2000 miles round trip. 2 adults 2 kids in child seats, plus luggage, and toys= full vehicle and loaded down hitch haul.



If DC offered the Delta V6 diesel for the Durango, we would dump this gasser in a heartbeat, and buy another Durango. I know this does nothing for increasing our cargo carrying capacity, but I could live with the size of the Durango if it had good AC, could take the heat, and get decent mileage at the same time. Since DC doesnt offer a diesel Option... . Thanks DC



If DC Offered an bigger SUV I would trade the Durango for a full sized SUV. If DC offered a full size SUV with the Cummins, the trade would be even faster . Since DC doesnt offer any of these... . Thanks DC



I wish DC offered a full size crew cab. The wife and I talked about trading in the Quad Cab for a crew cab, and keeping the Durango. Since DC is about 6 years behind the power curve for not offering a 4 door full size pickup, this isnt an option. Yea yea yeah, I know it is coming, but this isnt helping me now, so ... Thanks DC



Here is my advice to DC. Want to be different??

Offer a diesel option for the Durango.

Offer a diesel option for the new Ram in the 1500.

Create an SUV on the 1500 and 2500 frame that is for sale in the USA (i. e full size like the Expedition, and Excursion), and make a diesel option.



Since DC doesnt offer anything that fit our needs, it looks like the wife will be driving a new Powerstroke Excursion instead of the Durango. I really like Dodge trucks, and I would love to replace the Durango with another Dodge, but come on DC... . You are making it tough to upgrade my vehicle when you bring nothing to the table.



My 5 foot tall less than a hundred pound wife got in that Excursion, and loved it! I had to tell her to slow down when she was driving it through the dealer lot. My 2500 Cummins has convinced her that diesel is the only way to go, and she wont buy another vehicle unless it is a diesel. This leave the Excursion as our only option.

 

[jsimpson]

That's whay my brother ordered a Duramax crew cab. And my year with my son's RAM 1500 gasser is why I just bought a Tundra. That's also why my friend traded his Durango for a Trailblazer. Mother MOPAR doesn't have a monopoly; other people make good stuff too.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

No doubt you'll be happy with the Excursion. They are really nice trucks. Be sure to get a PSD, and chip it. They ar ea pretty heavy rig, and can use the added ponies.



My dream truck is still an F350 CC 2WD DRW with a Cummins and a 6-speed... I'll do the conversion someday.

 

[Power Wagon]

I know i have read about both of these problems before. They have the same single fix... Supposed to be cured with changing the fan and fan clutch. From what i've read, that really does solve the problem. Seems mopar got a batch of bad fan clutches, and even some of the replacement parts were too.



Apparently, a lack of airflow causes the a-c to not cool well, and engine to overheat.

 

[Todd G]

As much as I like my Cummins, the Excursion is a nice ride. A buddy has one with the Powerstroke and it's sweet. Many a cow gave its life for that leather interior.

 

[Steve M]

Hmmm?? We just returned from a trip to Pensacola. Alittle over 1400 miles up I-75 and across I-10, one of the roughest stretches of highway in the states. Our three week old Durango performed like a champ all the way. We got caught in some construction traffic that had us at a standstill for awhile in the heat. We had some long smooth stretches that I caught myself doing 85mph with no noise or vibrations. Had to back off and set cruise to keep the law off of me. My wife and I (6'2"), two teenage girls and our grandaughter were very comfortable. I drove the whole way with two stops each way. No fatigue and no sore fannies. We got 19. 2-19. 5mpg calculated at each fill-up. The 4. 7L V-8 has more than enough power and is almost whisper quiet with a nice V-8 tone. The ride is great and only seldom does it remind you that it's built on a real truck chassis. I remember a police chase scene on TV when some thugs stole a Durango. Even the cops were impressed with how tuff the Durango is with the theaves going airborn several times during the chase over curbs and medians and suffering no damage. I can't praise DC enough for a job well done on the Durango.

We also like the Excursion. It's big as Texas and a beautiful rig to boot. We simply don't need a SUV that big. The F150 is nice but just doesn't display any personality at all. Except maybe that coffee can resonator bugging out from under the rear bumper at an odd angle. Can't get excited about it at all and the Explorer is too small and the track too narrow. So Ford didn't offer a SUV that fits our needs.

The new Suburban is also a good looking ride but more truck than we need. The Blazer is too small and the Trailblazer is in my ever so humble opion... not too pretty. Unless you like the Aztec look. I like the idea of the inline six but I like the idea of a Mopar V-8 better.

Sorry for bombing you with my opinion but I felt like such a strong attack on the Durango deserved a response from someone who is 100% satisfied with one.

 

[JConley]

Hey Steve. . I cant knock the ride of the Durango either. Not sure if you are aware of this, but our D has the 5. 2 liter engine. I dont think I have ever seen 17 Mpg on the highway cruising at 70. Our D is also a 4X4. The 4. 7 Liter engine was not available back in 98, and only 4X4's were made for the 98 model year. We get around 12. 5 to 13. 5 in the city. Driving through west Texas bucking a 30 MPH headwind, the gas pedal was almost to the floor and into passing gear just to maintain 70. We got around 11 MPG for this stretch. I have driven the Ram in these same conditions, and the Diesel just eats the wind, and the Colorado mountain passes for lunch. Our D is very underpowered.



I am glad that DC got a better engine for the Durango. I am glad to hear that you are 100% satisfied with your D. It really is a good vehicle. I guess we pack more crap on trips that you do, so it is time for us to get something bigger. My wife is sold on the Diesel, so that leaves the Excursion as the only option... ..... Dont see me complaining

 

[WOWZY]

I was about to trade in my Grand Cherokee (5. 2L) for a Durango also with the 5. 2. My GC has always had loads of power and I couldn't believe the lack of power that this Durango had. It almost seemed like it had a V6 in it. Needless to say I kept the GC.



Later I noticed another Durango on the lot that caught my eye and this one had the 4. 7L in it. I took it for a test drive and all I can say is that it has definately got all the power that anyone would ever need!! That 4. 7L would take off like a rocket!! The A/C would freeze you to death and I noticed that the water temps stayed normal in 97 degree heat at a stop light.



I think you should look into getting one with the 4. 7L or at least test drive one.



My uncle and my neighbor bought PSD Excursions earlier this year and both have developed alot of rattles and squeaks. My uncle is gonna sell his and get a Yukon XL cause he said he doesn't want to know what it is gonna sound like when it gets a year old.



Good Luck

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by Power Wagon

... Apparently, a lack of airflow causes the a-c to not cool well, and engine to overheat.

This applies to our CTDs, as well. My '98 never cooled well. Then it got worse. I finally got my fan clutch replaced and the A/C filled up some.



Now the A/C at least cools when it's 95 out. And it cools when driving in slow city traffic, now that the fan runs again.



Fest3er

 

[Big White Beast]

Power Wagon, Thanks for the heads up. Already had my Dango in for the A/C service to no avail. I'll tell them about the fan next time.



Steve M.

How do you get that kind of milage? Best I ever got on the highway was 14. Mine is a 4X4. Got the 4. 7 and think the power is great (Mabey that's the problem, A little too much right foot)

Anyway I love mine been out to the desert and up the mountains with it several times. Held up like a champ. Stock tires don't do much in sand though

 

[Steve M]

BWB,

We have 3. 55 gear ratio in our Durango. Does the 4X4 have 3. 90 or 4. 11? A friend recently bought a 4X4 1500 Ram Off Road package that comes with a 5. 2 and 4. 11s. His mileage is low too. 11mpg in town and highway. But he loves to hear his duals roar. I use cruise as often as I can to keep my foot out of it. Only once did I creep up to 85mph. Didn't realize it and let off to 70 and set cruise. Wife said she filled up this morning after trip and calculated 19. 7. I'm really pleased with it as I'm only getting 17. 5~mpg with my new Ram. My '98 12v got 19. 5-20 mixed driving consistantly.

Don't get me wrong. I have hats off for the Excursion. Especially the Orange and Champagne colors what ever they call it. But we chose the Durango partly for it's midsize and V-8. We pack light for short trips and pack the house when we take our Ram and 5th wheel. We have the perfect combo for us and I have one happy wife driving her Durango!

JC, all I can offer is if it's feasable, go get your wife an Excursion and put your sunglasses on 'cause her smile will blind you for the next few weeks!

 

[R.E. Miller]

Hey, now I'm mad too, IFS in the new 1500's! What's next push button 4X4 and a duramax in the 3500's... .come on DC corporate boneheads.



Too many people want "Carucks ", I like trucks better.