Hey folks,

Some of you may have seen my posts around here and there.
Looking to get a new vehicle in the somewhat near future...have a baby on the way and the Dakota CC just isnt going to cut it with a baby seat.
Anyway....id like to stick with Mopar and Durango's are a deffinate possiblity...but I can't stand the new ones so it has to be a 1st Gen.
Couple questions for you Durango experts.
1. What years offer the 5.2 & 5.9
2. What years offer the 4.7.
3. Any typical issues(besides ball joints) I should look for when checking one out?
4. Are all able to have the 3rd row (meaning if i bought one without the 3rd row could i get the seat aftermarket or from a junk yard and just slap it in)

Umm i think thats about it for now..im sure once someone replies i'll have more questions.
Thanks in advance,
Bryan

 

A lot of us first gen'r can't stand the look of the second gen D. I feel they are just a bloated minivan with a hemi rammed down its throat. Never been impressed with the look or feel of one.

to answer your questions, as best i can

1. the 5.2 was offered in 98 and 99. The 5.9 was offered from 98-03
2.the 4.7 replaced the 5.2 and was offered 00-03
3.for the 5.2 and 5.9 tranny is the biggest issue. Make sure that the tranny has been serviced regularly. If you're buying from a dealer, ask to see records that the tranny was serviced.
4. I don't think its possible to have 3rd row seating in a D that didnt come with it. There isnt a cut out in the trunk for the 3rd row passenger foot well. Don't quote me on that, I've never been in a D without a 3rd row.

 

You can do a 3rd row no problem, the one's that only came with 5 passenger capacity have a cutout in the floor where the third row would be for storage, just go to a junkyard and pull the seats, seatbelts, molding for said seatbelts, and all of the mounting hardware then go to town. All of the common durango issues are the same as the 2nd gen dak's so as long as you've seen what is going on over there you will know what's going on in here.

On a side note you will probably want an 01-03 model, the redesigned interior is a lot better looking and the 2nd and 3rd row seatbelts lock when they are supposed to. If you look at a 98-00 just yank on the back seatbelts, they will not lock.

 

The third row seatbelts in my '00 do lock.I know from experince that the belts lock. long story short, driver not paying attention, slam on brakes, i got squeazed between belt and seat back (with lots of weight pushing on it).

it would really help if the seat back itself locked into place as well.

 

It was either late in the model year in 02 or all of 03 Dodge figured out their Trannys weren't holding up well and they finally changed them. Completely different manufacturer and it fixed most of the problems seen 98-01 with transmission melt downs. So even though I am a little biased I would recommend an 02 or 03. Consumer Reports agrees, they only reccomend 02 03 model years. Right when Dodge got it right and had a refined vehicle they created the Caravan on steroids. No thanks, whole new set of problems.