I have a 2000 SLT+ with the 4.7 V8 and I love it.
The only major problem I've had were with the ball joints and Dodge took care of that. I also recently replaced the TPS but that cost less then $50 for my mechanic to throw in for me.
I've had it since it was new and I wouldn't trade it for another. The only real mods I've made are better tires (Goodyear Fortera) and shocks (Monroe Reflex).
I drive and live in NYC - not terrific conditions. Depending on the traffic I get about 15 mpg in the city and about 20 highway.

 

I have a 98 SLT 5.2, which I love. I have about 120k on the truck now and haven't had too many issues. I do a lot of offroading and beat the heck out of my D. Because of that I've needed to replace tie rods, ball joints, and shocks, none of which surprised me. I snapped a leaf spring once, but like I say I beat the heck of it. My truck has been up to 13,000 ft peak and does just fine at that altitude. I've been running 32x11.5x15 tires for around 3 years now as they are the largest tires you can put on a stock D. I just recently purchased a 3 inch body lift from suspensionconnection.com for just over 200 bucks, so I should be able to run 33x12.5 now. If you do like offroading do not get the Monroe shocks as they are just for the street and are junk for off roading. Mine crapped out on me after one summer of 4wheelin. I put on a K/N filter on my intake and noticed a slight increase in performance and a slight increase on gas mileage, which of course is my only complaint about this truck. I get around 11.5MPG, but I have a heavy foot and tend to drive fast. Before I put the filter on I was getting around 10.8MPG.

Perforance Accesories is what body lift I purchased. There's also a rancho 3 inch suspension lift, $1300+. Then there is a 5.5 inch suspension lift from Tuff Country, $1300+, I've heard that this lift doesn't stand up to 4x4 abuse. Then there's the Whiplash 10 inch lift, and Whiplash states that this lift isn't for offroad use, what's the point. I've opted to go for the 3 inch body, and now I am saving for the Rancho 3 inch for 6 inch total lift, which hopefully will allow for the use of 35's but I am unsure.

 

I would stick wtih a 2000-2003 model as well. At least you can get new balljoints from the recall which is the one of the big complaints about the Durango. You can get some good gas mileage from a 5.9 engine if you stay with smaller gear ratios. Even better if you do not need 4wd as the durango is not as heavy.

I have a 2000 R/T. It's a 5.9 with 3.92 gears and requires premium gas and it runs great for me. Just had my ball joints replaced a month ago and already the front end is squeaking on me again. Better have it rechecked as the squeaking went away after the ball joint replacement. Other than that, I had to replace a TPS (Throttle position sensor), heater core (most expensive repair yet and not under 3rd party extended warranty), shocks replaced with Monroe reflex lifetime warranty shocks. My gas mileage averages 12/14 with a light foot. However, everytime I get my tranny oil replaced, my gas mileage goes up to near 13/15. After about 4k-6k miles later, the mileage dips back to 12/14. The first time I noticed this, I thought it was a fluke and had bad oil the first time around. But my second time around, it did this again so I wonder if there is something with the tranny that I can get better gas mileage if I use some really good oil. Problem is, where can I find Chrysler Certified ATF+3 in synthetic form???? Haven't found one yet.

 

Because it doesn't exsist, continue using the ATF+4.

 

Ooops, my bad. Then where can you find a synthetic version of ATF+4???

 

dodgemech, robust and kensai...that was some terrrific info. so i guess a 2000-03 with the 4.7 huh? a 3" susp. lift is $1300! yikes. was the 45rfe the only transmission in the 4.7 2000-03s? you guys are giving me some great info. whats available for motor bolt on mods? throttle bodies? puuleys? maf?intake spacers?

 

I am going to get a Durango one day after the Canyonero-II Finaly dies. I will need a good 4x4 beater when she goes, though I beat the crap out of the Canyonero-II almost everyday driving off road on realy rough terrain it still goes like stink and only has a 4 cylinder in it. What year Durango would all of you call the most sought after for off roading? - & I mean Off Roading Stock like the Canyonero-II.

 

From what I hear, the fastman throttle body and a good cold air intake can give you a little better gas mileage as well as power. If you want to go even further, you can get a hypertech chip reprogrammer and a mopar M1 intake manifold replacement. Then you can go with cat back exhaust or true dual cat dual exhaust. These components can set you back an easy grand.

They also make bolt on superchargers for the Durangos to add an additional 100 horses. Prices run anywhere from $3800 to $4500 for the bolt on kit.

Also, if memory serves, the 98-99 Durangos uses a recirculating ball joint for steering and then the 2000 and later models replace that with rack and pinion steering for faster and better response. Dodgemech should be able to confirm that.

if you plan on doing a suspension lift and put on some bigger tires, I would highly recommend you to go with a 5.9 engine.

 

I don't know if a Durango can handle extreme offroading in your case. At least I know it won't last using OEM stock parts. Durango too heavy to handle the bumps and rough terrain using OEM suspension.

BTW, What is a Canyonero II? I never heard of that name.

I wished I still had my 85 toyota 4x4. I drove that thing everywhere offroad and drove it hard. Only upgrade I did to it was replacing stock tires with BF Goodrich 31x10x15's and a cat back dual outlet muffler exhaust. Blew 5 clutches on my 5 speed tranny playing with this guy and sold it at 185k miles. Original 22RE motor too. never been rebuilt. Got married, and moved to a townhome and only had space for 2 cars so I had to get rid of my truck!

 

if you are going to post questions, could you please start your own thread? don't take it the wrong way, i just dont want my thread getting hi jacked. i'm trying to find a durango for my gf. thank you

why would you suggest the 5.9 with a suspension lift? because of the hp/tq from the bigger motor for turning the taller tires? couldn't i use a smaller motor and change the gearing in the rearend?