Test drove a 98 durango 5.9. wierd problem

The vehicle was pretty immaculate everywhere. I loved it. Almost bought it (it was great price. It had a little idle searching issue, it would kind of go from 700 to 800 to 700 to 1100 to 750 etc etc. pretty much between 700 and 1100, but not fast, wherever it would jump to it would stay for a few seconds, sometimes up to 20 seconds. Anyways, it didnt seem like a dealbreaker to me.

What happened though that swayed me not to buy it till I investigated, was the 4wd. I went to some gravel, put it in neutral, and moved the drive lever down to 4 high. A little 'part time' light came on on the dash. As soon as i let the lever go, it moved back forward on its own about 1/4" and the light turned off. So I moved into 4 low, same thing happened. while the lever was in 4 low, i put my foot on the brake and put the car in drive. I gave it a little gas and let go of the brake (trying to see if there'd be 4 marks in the gravel from 4 tires). as soon as I let off the brake the lever popped out of 4 low into nuetral and the engine reved. I put it into 4 high again, but this time I held the lever down so the light stayed on. I gased it a little and all 4 wheels spun.

I know just about nothing about transfer cases and their levers. Does that sound like a major problem, or an easy problem?

It sounds like a bent linkage, or worn bushing problem. I had a 2003 ram that did that. 4 wheel drive was awesome as long as you held it in.

Idle problem could be that the defective intake and plenum gaskets were never changed out. My 97 5.2 had idle issues until I changed out the gaskets.

The idling could be the plenum or a bad or clogged idle speed motor. I would be more concerned about the transfer case. I had a 97 ram with the shift fork and collar worn out on the transfer case. I also had to hold the shifter to get it to work, however on that one 4x4 would work but 2wd would only work if I held the shifter. That was also a worn out 3/4 ton with a pile of mileage on it so not exactly comparable to what you're looking at.

Well now Im at an impasse. I text them and they'll let it go for $1800. it only has a small tear in side of drivers seat and the issues I mentioned.

But, there is also a guy with a 90's 351 bronco that's straight, clean and newer tires, he also will take $1800

So do I go with the durango with the nicer interior and stronger motor, or go with the convertible bronco with complete but not so great interior??

I like them both. having the bronco in this great summer sounds really nice. Plus I can paint it myself and make some money off it when summer's over. but the durango just feels newer and nicer.

Of course none of this would be an issue if ramchargers weren't worth their weight in gold around here

I would rather have a rag top or removable top bronco than a durango. If you're hauling kids every day or doing a bit of towing the nod goes to the durango but for a summer toy a bronco sounds fun.

Ramchargers are worth their weight in gold here too. Several years ago I sold my 94 explorer. I paid $1500 for it, it was a 4x4, 5sp manual, 4L V6. The last guy put a lift and big tires on it that were still basically new. He did new shocks, all new brakes, manual locking hubs, and some other odds and ends. The stupid thing was dead nuts reliable, comfortable to drive and had working crusie and a/c. It was a little doggy with my 20' boat or a rented u-haul enclosed trailer behind it but it got the job done. Folded the rear seats down, taped screens into the windows and slept in the back when camping. I regret selling that thing more than any mopar I've ever sold.

I wouldn't get all excited about a removable top Bronco, it's a PITA to do it.

You do not have to stop to put it in 4 high. Just take foot off the gas
Bought my 98 5.9 durango new. And said in owners manual that as long was under 60 mph. You take foot off gas put in 4 high

toplescuda, that's good to know thank you. But it still won't stay in 4wd.

Well, I didn't get either vehicles... i somehow came home with a 1983 V65 Magna instead... couldn't pass it up

Too bad on the bike! LOL! I had a 1990 Bronco and I actually really liked it! 5.0, 5 speed manual 4x4 and it got 20mpg easily! The ONLY reason I got rid of it was they don't cargo space, something I needed.

I may get the bronco too, I really like them.

The V65 is FUN. 10,000rpm shift points, 6 speed, all on a heavy cruiser bike Its like riding a skinny harley except it doesnt rely on annoying exhaust to be cool. Like getting the benefits of a crotch rocket with the style of a harley/cruiser. I've only done about 110 so far, because I havent truly gone through the bike like I need to and get everything in top shape, i think it needs new bearing in the neck, a fork brace, new wheel bearings, and just a full tune-up/carb rebuild