I'm trying this forum as a last resort, as the Dodge Dealers won't even give me specifics or return my calls.

I purchased a used 2000 Durango SLT Magnum 4WD a few months ago - with no owners manual. Still trying to pick one up - resorted to eBay.

I recently moved to Pittsburgh and have NEVER driven in the snow so I bought a 4X4. I have also never driven a 4X4 vehicle. I'm trying to determine what speeds I can drive in each of the 4X4 options. I've been told by some that 4WD-Hi should not go over 20mph, while other Pittsburghers tell me they engage their 4WD-Hi at first snowfall and just leave it on.

I obviously wouldn't be driving 65mph on the freeway in the snow, but I'd like to use 4WD as much as possible at casual speeds for increased traction. Can anyone provide some input on the speeds of the Hi and Lo 4WD gears?

Thank you in advance.

 

4wd high can be used up to just about any speed, but NOT on surfaces with high grip. You can leave it on all the time, as long as you are on snowy, roads. Only problem with 4wd hi is making tight turns. Pulling into or out of parking spots you may need to switch into 2 wd.

Make sure you get used to how your D drives in 4wd in the snow. Go to a parking lot and do some turns. It will tend to push the front end a little in deeper snow.

this topic has been discussed THOROUGHLY, Check the top of the page to the search button, click 1st gen durango for search field, and lookup 4wd......you will get all the answers you can possibly find.

This is a great resources for anything related to you D, you can find the answer.

Welcome to the Forum and enjoy your D.

 

the 20 MPH limit is on the 4 lo, i dont think there really is one on the 4 hi as long as you are NOT on dry pavement

 

you'll find out that you won't be able to go much faster than 40km/h in 4wd lo.....the gear ratios are crazy low and you'll be revving really high and going nowhere fast. It's realy only for extreme loss of traction, or when you need LOTS of power.

 

4 low = offroading or when you get stuck.
4 high = snow and ice.
2wd everything else.

Don't bother usin 4 low unless you are offroading, 4 high will do everything you need to in an on road situation. With the Durango you can "shift on the fly" which basically means that you can switch into 4 high while driving down the road in 2wd and vice versa, you will want to take advantage of this after snow and ice starts melting. Main roads will be cleared faster than side roads and you don't want to have 4wd engaged even on just a wet surfaceor you will start breaking things very quickly but you may want to switch back into 4wd for nasty parts of the road. Don't attempt to shift on the fly with4 low. You have to stop on a level surface and put the tranny in neutral. A little snow driving advice is to pretend you have an egg under your foot when accelerating or braking. In the event of sliding make minor corrections of the steering wheel and let off the gas. Don't slam on the brakes. You most likely only have rear wheel ABS which is more for towing than anything. It will help keep you straight but it isn't nearly as nice as 4 wheel ABS. If you need any more advice just PM me and let me know.

 

the other thing is shifting in & out of 4wd... most t-cases can handle speeds below 50 so hopefully someone can chime in on that and set you straight. Also, are you sure your transfer case has a 2wd option? I just swapped out one in my Dakota (also a 2000 4.7) and it was an awd t-case.

 

Yeah don't switch above 45 mph.

 

hey mean, my durango has 4 wheel abs and i hate it[:'(] it increases stopping distance quite a bit if you know how to drive w/o it

 

When I had my OEM pads on my ABS would always kick on, since I replaced the pads with ceramics it hasn't come on once. I hate the feeling when the ABS comes on because I like total control of what I am doing and not having electronics interfering but I know it's there for a good reason and when I'm in the snow with a 5k lb truck and I need to stop now I know I'll be grateful that it's there.

 

Also another question on your 4x4, would you by chance have the part time 4X4? This is where you can put it in 4X4 mode and can drive on dry surfaces. Your shifter should look something like this if you have this part time option

4wd lo (locked)
4WD
N
2WD
4WD high (locked)

Not sure if this option was available on the 2000 models. Otherwise, you would be missing the 4WD option on your floor console.