Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: DusterJeff]
#2517222
07/03/18 11:08 PM
07/03/18 11:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,467 So Cal
Sinitro
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,467
So Cal
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Biggest issue with the early Durangos was ball joints both upper & lower... Things got so bad with the OE parts Chrysler had a soft recall on them.. Just my $0.02...
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Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: Sinitro]
#2518935
07/07/18 06:44 PM
07/07/18 06:44 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 97 Montgomery, Alabama
RusTy/SE
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member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 97
Montgomery, Alabama
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I purchased my 2001 Durango SLT off Craigslist 5 years ago. Cost 5K and had 66,000 miles. Common white with a perfect cloth interior which had never been smoked in.
Despite four mismatched tires and iffy brakes, the Carfax showed it being bought new in New Jersey before traveling to Florida and then Alabama where I eventually purchased it. I took a chance on the (4.7) motor and trans being ok - they both had good fill levels and showed bone dry on the outside.
I had my mechanic go over things and after four new Michelins, fresh brakes, ac hose, and a ps hose, there have only been regular (Mobile 1 5W50) oil changes and I have maintained a 50/50 solution of anti-freeze and distilled water since.
Now has 108K and always get 15 city and 20 hwy.
Last edited by RusTy/SE; 08/04/18 12:04 PM.
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Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: DusterJeff]
#2521305
07/13/18 01:34 AM
07/13/18 01:34 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 115 federal way, WA
74chargr
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member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 115
federal way, WA
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01 Durango 4wd SLT. Second owner 234K miles on it. The transmission was rebuilt once and now I am rebuilding the front end. Ball joints (upper) on the stock have no zerts so you have to replace them. Outer tie rods worn out also. It runs really good and has been surprisingly reliable for a high mileage vehicle.
74 Charger SE 87 Shelby Lancer 80 1 ton bread box 71 Duster rest in pieces <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: DusterJeff]
#2521489
07/13/18 03:21 PM
07/13/18 03:21 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,415 Connecticut
Ron_M
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,415
Connecticut
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Had an 02 with the 4.7l that I bought used and was nothing but a problem from day 1. I should have done a more thorough test drive.
Had the center console with thin armrest. I was always fighting with my girlfriend for it to rest our arms when we went for a ride in it.
had a noticeable wind noise no one could ever solve. In fact one response here when I had a post asking if anyone else had an issue was to "turn up the radio or put a flowmaster on it". Dealer brought it to a trim shop. Schmuck there used a cigarette to check the windshield for air leaks. Moron put a hole in my sun visor and then played dumb.
Later on.
Body rust around the cladding package.
Mine had the rear a/c package. There is a long line from the a/c compressor to the rear body. Mine blew out one night and was very noticeable! It's between the frame and body and not easily (or cheaply) serviced. Entire system could not be charged with the rear a/c line breached. I did buy the line which wasn't cheap even when discounted. Ended up giving it back to the dealer and had to eat the money spent. There is/was a company that made a bypass kit to eliminate the rear a/c but could never reach them. So no a/c last 2 years of ownership.
Had the brake system gone through, pads, rotors, etc - 1 year later the calipers froze and wiped out the new pads and rotors that I had to buy all over again. That one is probably on poor installation by the mechanic.
4.7 developed issues at 80K, low oil pressure, noises,.
At this point, I was pretty fed up as the Durango was a major money pit and "traded it in" LOL for $500 measly dollars. No one wanted it! Not even the salvage yards!!! And I called at least 3 of 'em.
Worst Mopar that I have ever owned despite my best efforts to maintain it. It was never neglected by me and I spent quite a bit of money on it.
I don't miss it. POS! I think every Chrysler made during the Daimler regime is cursed. My 2000 Chrysler LHS is a better vehicle but those cars have their funky characteristics (plural!) too. I won't even start on my Dad's 01 Dakota and the adventures with that thing.
Last edited by Ron_M; 07/13/18 03:24 PM.
Common sense is a flower that does not grow in everybody's garden
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Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: DusterJeff]
#2525000
07/21/18 02:46 PM
07/21/18 02:46 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 206 Paducah, KY USA Earth
jcruse64
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 206
Paducah, KY USA Earth
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We bought an '02 brand new, with 4.7, SLT trim, and tow package. While neither a powerhouse, nor a fuel saver, it has been extremely reliable for us for just over 150K miles currently. Pulls our 22' boat with ease, and has had to tow both my old trucks home before ,with no issues. Good road trip vehicle over the years, except for the 14-17 MPG we get, and tons of cargo room. The bad? The suspension issues already detailed, though I've only had to do the front wheel bearings so far (driving into duck hunting spots in sketchy flooding conditions, and these wheel bearings don't like that). Heated seats are too expensive to fix when they die. Blend door for rear HVAC is notorious for failing. A few places on front of frame where brake lines run hold moisture, allowing brake lines to rust out. And the brake lines fittings were a surprise, as well!! My wife loves thus vehicle, so we will probably drive it till it rusts out from beneath us.
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Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: Handygun]
#2718492
11/22/19 10:07 PM
11/22/19 10:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,375 ILLINOIS
volaredon
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,375
ILLINOIS
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You want good serviceability but you don't want a 5.9? Not gonna get it from a 4.7. when I bought mine I passed on several to stay away from that engine. I wanted to either a 318 or a 360 or nothing. , tried and true engines that have been around forever, a known quantity. Bought mine with 214k miles, has the 360, at 258k I did spring for a rebuild of the engine and transmission. Had a problem with the rebuild, wound up getting some bum EQ heads, guides were too tight on brand new "ready to run" heads, not the engines fault. Body is still in fantastic shape, so I decided it was worth doing. Did have a problem with the computer a few thousand miles before I pulled the engine, misfires on a few cylinders, most on #6, sent computer in and was told see solder joints came loose holding a chip on the board. But the 1st 40k miles that we put on it were great. Drove down to Houston and Galveston from Chicago and back and it surprised me on gas mileage on that trip. Around 20 most of the time, down and back. Wouldn't have thought that. I did replace the ball joints like the 3rd day I owned it. If I had to buy another I would as long as it would be as rust free as this one is 03- older, and again NOT a 4.7. Around here the 04 and up ones are rotted out worse than the older ones.
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Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: volaredon]
#2718554
11/23/19 08:04 AM
11/23/19 08:04 AM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 583 NJ
rth
mopar
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mopar
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 583
NJ
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I had a '02 Durango with the 4.7. Engine ran great, but would push coolant into res tank. Leaking headgasket. Rotted exhaust manifold bolts .Pinion seal leaking. Steering shaft coupler.
Last edited by rth; 11/23/19 08:05 AM.
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Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: volaredon]
#2719581
11/26/19 09:50 PM
11/26/19 09:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 39 Atlanta, GA, USA
Dodgevity
member
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member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 39
Atlanta, GA, USA
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You want good serviceability but you don't want a 5.9? Not gonna get it from a 4.7. when I bought mine I passed on several to stay away from that engine. This 03' Dakota is my daily driver and it's currently at 310K mi on the 4.7L and tranny. The Durango was derived from the Dakota, so same front end and drive train. Cheapest vehicle I've ever owned when it comes to maintenance and it's servicable enough. Personally, I've seen the 4.7L do some extremely high miles... there was one guy running around with over half a million on his. The 5.9L are great too, but I'd take a 4.7L any day, due to the fact it has COP and is a bit better on gas. Don't wanna be fussing with wires, caps and rotors at this point. The 545RFE has also been a stellar tranny... never a hiccup. Overall, the truck runs so good, I gave my Honda to my kid and drive it solo. The 4.7 did have a small HG which I fixed ummm....*chemically,* about 40K ago.... https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1938462/1.html
Last edited by Dodgevity; 11/26/19 10:10 PM.
2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab SLT 4.7L V8, Automatic (545RFE), RWD 310K mi
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Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: volaredon]
#2722315
12/07/19 02:48 PM
12/07/19 02:48 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,497 nowhere
Sniper
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master
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,497
nowhere
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You want good serviceability but you don't want a 5.9?
You realize you responded to a thread over a year old. He's probably already gotten what he needed.
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Re: Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes
[Re: Sniper]
#2722384
12/07/19 07:20 PM
12/07/19 07:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,375 ILLINOIS
volaredon
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,375
ILLINOIS
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You want good serviceability but you don't want a 5.9?
You realize you responded to a thread over a year old. He's probably already gotten what he needed. yup. but as my Durango was my garage ornament for a bit, (reason further within post of mine, that you quoted) found that thread on a search for something else.... and it seemed relevant even though it was old at that point. Did you notice tehre have been other people reply to the thread after me but before you... sometimes it don't matter how old I guess.....
Last edited by volaredon; 12/07/19 07:21 PM.
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