Educate me about 98-03 durangos!

Posted By: Biggie

Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/14/13 04:03 AM

I'm contemplating on purchasing a new to me durango. I would like a 98-03 simply because i dont like the look of the 2nd generations. I know to stay away from any that have the 4.7l. Are there any other things to majorly watch out for? Maybe a certain yr to stay away from? Im looking for one with 4 wheel drive. Thanks in advance Eric

Posted By: buildanother

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/14/13 06:29 AM

I'm one that prefers the 4.7 over the pushrod magnums. Oil changes are a little more important on the 4.7, and I am driving an 03 slt 4x4 that I purchased last summer for just 1800 with 3 rocker arms off of it. Seller said it had injector problem, and I told him "I don't think so." The oil was dirty, I changed it a couple times in first 2 weeks, pulled valve covers, re-installed the 3 rocker arms and have put 30k miles on it without further issue. Has 140k on it, timing chains-tensioners quiet too. This is my 3rd 4.7 powered truck and I'm content. I know the exhaust manifold gasket and bolt issue is probably in my future in this rustbelt though. The transmissions behind the 4.7 are good as well. The only consistant negative on the 2000 and up are the steering intermed column under hood.

Posted By: Mr. Smurf

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/14/13 01:51 PM

I've got a 98, 4x4, 5.9, 3:91 gears with 180,000 on it. It's been in the family since new.

What to look for, in no particular order:

Rust, rear hatch and front bumper are the most common areas.

Front ball joints.

If there's spark knock, it'll need the intake valley pan gasket replaced.

Mine has had the both heater core and AC condenser replaced, needs the heater core done again, so much for OEM parts.

Fuel mileage, they were never good at it, the 3:91 gears or full time 4x4 really puts the hurt on it.

Ed

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/14/13 04:19 PM

4.7s suck! Try to find a good used engine, all the ones on car-parts.com are cores. They have a lot of well documented issues and are not worth the risk.

Check the front end real good especially the ball joints. Tranny do have a few issues, most of the ones I buy to fix up have "bad trannys" but most of the time it is a trans relay or governor solenoid.

Gas mileage sucks on all of them, 4x4, 5.9s and low gears exacerbate the problem. The best I ever got with one was a 2wd 5.2 with 3.55, it got 17.5 on the highway. The worst was a R/T with full time 4x4 3.92s and a 5.9 it could barely get 15 in the best conditions.

Posted By: Mopar2DBone

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/15/13 03:12 AM

Bought a new one in 2000. 5.9 4x2.. Gas hawg but it had some nice power.. Had the ball joint problem as well as some small electrical issues( stereo).. I liked it but I think I would rather have a Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee with the 4.0.. Those rides can also be found pretty cheap...

Posted By: Biggie

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/15/13 03:39 AM

Im looking for the durango because around here I can pay $3k for one with less then 80k miles on it. I wouldnt mind a jeep but from looking around I cant get one with the low mileage for that cheap. I currently have a 97 ram ext cab and I have a boy on the way in nov. I messed my back up and cant physically put him and the car seat in the back seat. So we are looking to get a 4 door. I know the gas mileage isnt the best but what dodge truck is lol. I figure the durango will get about the same as what I have now. Thanks for the replies so far! Eric

Posted By: bdusted440

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/15/13 04:57 AM

Quote:

4.7s suck! Try to find a good used engine, all the ones on car-parts.com are cores. They have a lot of well documented issues and are not worth the risk.

Check the front end real good especially the ball joints. Tranny do have a few issues, most of the ones I buy to fix up have "bad trannys" but most of the time it is a trans relay or governor solenoid.

Gas mileage sucks on all of them, 4x4, 5.9s and low gears exacerbate the problem. The best I ever got with one was a 2wd 5.2 with 3.55, it got 17.5 on the highway. The worst was a R/T with full time 4x4 3.92s and a 5.9 it could barely get 15 in the best conditions.

BULL!!!!!!!!!!! I work in a dodge dealer and have for 20+ years.The 4.7 will go 400k no problem. You just have to DO THE MAINTENENCE!!!!!!!!!!! I have had an 02 since new and I love it.ive never had a problem with it and I have 240k on her. If you take care of them they will take care of you.I have done way more 5.9 replacements than anything else.And if you get a la engine make sure the lower intake pan isn't blown out .And make sure the ball joint recall is done.

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/17/13 12:35 AM

Quote:

Quote:

4.7s suck! Try to find a good used engine, all the ones on car-parts.com are cores. They have a lot of well documented issues and are not worth the risk.

Check the front end real good especially the ball joints. Tranny do have a few issues, most of the ones I buy to fix up have "bad trannys" but most of the time it is a trans relay or governor solenoid.

Gas mileage sucks on all of them, 4x4, 5.9s and low gears exacerbate the problem. The best I ever got with one was a 2wd 5.2 with 3.55, it got 17.5 on the highway. The worst was a R/T with full time 4x4 3.92s and a 5.9 it could barely get 15 in the best conditions.

BULL!!!!!!!!!!! I work in a dodge dealer and have for 20+ years.The 4.7 will go 400k no problem. You just have to DO THE MAINTENENCE!!!!!!!!!!! I have had an 02 since new and I love it.ive never had a problem with it and I have 240k on her. If you take care of them they will take care of you.I have done way more 5.9 replacements than anything else.And if you get a la engine make sure the lower intake pan isn't blown out .And make sure the ball joint recall is done.

I worked at a dodge dealer a couple years also, (thought the 4.7 was a good motor back then even after blowing up one of the first ones in a ram with 7 miles on the truck) but after going to an independant shop I realized dealers don't work on much over 10 years old. People who buy older vehicles buy them because they are cheap and being cheap people means they don't pay outrageous dealer costs. That is when the differance shows up, after 10 years. I pass on cherokees and durangos and rams for cheap on CL all the time with blown 4.7 motors because there are no good engines to put in them and if you can find them they are expensive IE carparts .com has 65 pages of good 5.9s as low as $250 for a good one with re-mans showing up around $2000 with warrantys, there are only about 7 pages of good 4.7s and the cheapest good one is $800 and re-mans are more like $3000. I see rockers fall off and bend the valves, or just cause misfires/noise, head gaskets blow out and burn the head rendering it useless, bottom ends go out... and they never seem to be sludgy or abused. Magnum motors on the other hand I have pulled valve covers off good running motors and there is so much sludge from abuse that you can't see the rockers but they are still running fine. There are a lot less 4.7s out there than 5.2s and 5.9s but we replace a lot more 4.7s here in the real world (independent shops not dealers).

I would like to know what you think of the 2.7 intrepid engines? This should be good to hear also

Posted By: Biggie

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/17/13 05:25 PM

Quite the difference in opinions here. I guess if I were to get one with the 4.7 I better make sure it is well documented with oil changes. My truck I currently have has the 5.9 and I love that thing. The truck I had before that was the 5.2 and it did well. Maybe I will just stick with the motors I know

Posted By: 11secdart

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/17/13 06:20 PM

I had two of them an 00 and an 02 I traded the 02 on my Hemi Q.C. in 08. The 02 Durango had 80,000 on it when I traded it and was a good vehicle, it had the 4.7 , trailer pkg. and 3.91 gears and towed my 20 ft enclosed trailer with the Dart all over the place, Indy , Pgh, upstate N.Y. etc. as well as weekly trips to my local track up some pretty steep hills. The only thing wrong was the rear developed a noise at the time I traded it, a friend says he still sees it around occasionally. I did have the all joint recall performed.

Posted By: Mirada 80

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/18/13 02:38 AM

My 2 cents here, I've had several 4.7l engines. 2000 Dakota 4x4 5spd, 2000 Grand Cherokee Awd, and my current 2003 Durango Slt Plus Awd. Between those 3 I compiled over 800,000 km. Only engine issues were, 1 water pump, 2ignition coils, 1 tps, 1 exhaust manifold, and a bad rocker arm. That's all. I've also owned 2004 Dakota 4x4 Quad Cab, and 2008 Dakota 4x4 Quad Cab, both with 4.7l.
If they're quiet and smooth when they start and run, there probably pretty good.
As far as issues with the Durango, the ac/heater blower resister block and connector will go bad, matter of time. If you live in a rust belt like me, watch the oil pan, trans pan, and rear hatch for rusting out. Steering shaft will go bad, and if you replace the front end parts with good quality ones as they go bad that no longer is an issue. Front drive shaft has a cv joint at the transfer case end, I replaced that too. All that being said, I love the Durango and will look for another 2002/2003 Slt Plus when I need to replace this one. Like I said just my

Posted By: Magnumguy

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/21/13 05:37 PM

We "inherited" one where I work, a 2003, 4.7 4x4. I like it. 160000+ miles, quiet motor. Shifts fine, air works, this was a yard/boss's truck, so it got a lot of short taxi-type usage.

Of the 3 vehicles we have here, a 2012 GCaravan, 2013 Dodge 2500 4x4 w/5.7, I'd just assume drive the Durango, for what that's worth. When it's time is up w/the company, unless something major goes wrong, I'm chasing it to buy it. Seems OK on fuel, as I've not noticed it being any worse on fuel than any other Ford/Chevy comparable vehicle we've had.

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/22/13 04:17 PM

I had both 91 and 99 suburban and hated them both but I do have to admit they both got significantly better miledge than any of my Durangos that I do love. Don't get me wrong I would take a 4.7 Durango over any comparable chevy of ford offering I just much prefer the LA based magnum. I don't know what it is about Durangos (the weight maybe) but they seem to tow really good, very stable, confidant and strong.

Posted By: YYZ

Re: Educate me about 98-03 durangos! - 08/22/13 08:36 PM

I had a '99 SLT+ with 5.9/3.55s and a friend still has his '99 SLT+ with 5.2/3.92s that he bought new.

They are good trucks - very robust, comfortable and are a surprisingly stable towing platform for a shorter wheelbase vehicle.

I'd echo the advice on 4.7s - they're better on fuel (particularly later years) and you'll want one that's had great maintenance. The 5.2/5.9 are much more forgiving of neglect.

Front bumpers tend to rust, as do rear hatches.

Valley pan gasket on 5.2/5.9

Fuel economy is lousy for what the vehicle is, but is liveable

If you have a choice, find one with the NV242 transfer case which gives you 2WD, AWD, 4WD as well as 4WD low

Ditto for finding one with a tow package as there are lots of extra coolers, 9.25 axle and other HD stuff.

Heater core is prone to getting plugged up so stay on top of coolant changes/flushes.

But given how inexpensive these trucks are now, they can be a good buy if you need both the people and the cargo space.