I am in the market for a 1999-2003 Durango. I have been on this site for several hours now reading through the threads and have become quite familiar with these vehicles and am no longer apprehensive about buying one.
Besides asking about regular maintenance, I know to ask about a few different recall parts, depending on year.
The only question I have for you all is this: Which motor is more reliable? Are there any known issues with one or the other in particular that would warrant a warning?

Thanks,
Nick

 

Go for a 2000 and up 5.9L or 5.2L motor. They a have built in OB-ll.

Most people love the look and style of the R/T which only comes in the 5.9L

The R/T is a all wheel drive which gets worse fuel mileage although the SLT+ is the way to go to get everything you want without the all wheel drive which is more power and fuel mileage.

I don't like the 4.7L but, all the motors are good. I can't remember what year Dodge started putting rear heat in the back cooler but I would get it.

Definatly get the 392 rear axel gearing.

 

You don't by chance know which models have the 392 gearing?
I am looking more at the 2000+ models with 4X4. I live in Utah and one of the biggest reasons for getting this vehicle is that I live on a mountain and struggle to make it up the hill when it snows, haha.

Thanks,
Nick

 

You can find the rear diff info on a sticker in the glove box.

Either engine is fine, it's the trannies that are attached the the engines that are another story. The ones attached to the 5.2/5.9 WILL fail and usually around the 100k mile mark. (Mine made it to 92k miles.) The tranny attached to the 4.7 seems to be almost bullet proof.

 

i believe they started using the 4.7 (instead of the 5.2) in 2000, and it DOES get better gas mileage than the bigger engines, mine w/ 4x4 i can get 17 around town, and over 20 on the highway, and i believe that the 4.7 uses the same transmission as the hemi (i think i read that somewhere, but im not 100% sure) so its gonna last behind the little 4.7 forever

 

I forgot Dodge did stop making the 5.2L and switched over to the 4.7L after 2000.

The trans won't fail if they are takin care of and a Transgo Shift Kit installed. If you can't find the gearing then you can look at the rear axel there will be a small metal tag on one of the diff cover bolts.

3 . 9 is the 392
3 . 5 is the 350's

If your running the hills and wheeling I'd go for the 5.9L but if milage is the main consern ya go for the 4.7L

 

2000 was the last year for 5.2s

2001 was the switch over with the new interior getting heated seats and rear heat as options

Typically, the 5.9 seems to get you more usability over the years wringing more overall miles out of them and there are more aftermarket parts for them verses the 4.7s

IndyDurango

 

i got a 98 durango slt for sale im the original owner v8 5.2L moter 4x4 dark red with tan leather seats. fully loaded automatic..rear air conditioning, rear heat, 3rd row flip up seat, cruise control powered windows, locks, and seats..side bars, roof rack, automatic starter, sound system...80k high way miles drove back and forth to my sc home very good condition clean.....

 

Or you could look in the glove box if you don't want to get dirty!

 

Oh, come on! It's all about getting dirty! YA!! HAHA

-Nick