I recently acquired a 2000 Durango SLT, about a month ago. She has 99,000 miles, but drives like a champ. She is not scheduled for an oil change for about 3,000 more miles. I am about to take a trip to visit the family in Colorado, about 500 miles away. I was just wondering if there is anything I should do to her before se head out in December. Any information would be helpful.

p/s I have only checked the fluids since I got her.

 

unless you have proof that the oil was changed when the P.O. claims it was, that would be the first thing id do, also checkt o make sure the trans fluid isnt burnt and it adequetly filled, and then maybe think about a tune up (new COPPER CORE CHAMPION spark plugs), and a new air filter (get one of the drop in K&N units if you dont want to go the CAI route)

 

+1 for Sharp!


Think about it as a flush on the crank case. Replace the oil with 10W-30 of your choice (I like Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic High Mileage 10W-30) but each to their own. Filter, go Mopar (OEM) filters all the way.

 

i use castrol gtx on all my rigs ''liquid gold''

 

I think those are good ideas, I will do a tune up and oil change. I will be doing so on or after December 4th, I am sure I will be on here asking for help then. Thanks!

 

Ok, so I am going to get started on a tune up on Wednesday 11/25. If these seem like elementary questions, they are. I am getting an oil change at a dealership. I have 4 free oil changes. In regards to the tune up itself, any ideas of what I should buy? Tools I may need? and cost? I appreciate any info, tips or tricks. Also, if it matters it's the 4.7L.

 

you really shouldnt need any special tools, the air filter is just held closed with snaps which come right off, when you are doing the sparkplugs, they are coil-on-plug system so do them one plug at a time so you dont mix up the coils, also i believe i took the entire air intake off right up to the throttle body, it makes life much easier in the long run and only adds 5 min to the job to take it off and put it on. also when you are done, make sure that all the connections are tight on the coils, and use the cheapo copper core champion plugs, i dont recall the number but they run 2 bucks or less a piece and work the best in these engines

 

You can get the plugs from the dealer while your there. Either way, do the Champion Regular Copper Plugs (OEM).

There are no spark plug wires on that rig just coil overs so no worrys there. THe 4.7L is the easyest to tune up.

You might want to get the transmission fluid and filter changed. (Do NOT power flush) You could also get the transfer case fluid changed and front and rear differentials done as well. If you have Limited Slpip make sure the dealer installs Friction Modifier in the rear Diff. Then again, this is just regular maintenance but concitering you just got it and there's 99K on the clock, I just don't know if it's up on it's fluid changes.

 

Plus++ on all the advice. Couple more things, get the atf+4 from the dealership along with the TWO filters and a gasket. You'll need about 7 quarts of tranny fluid. I think there's a special if you get a gallon of the tranny fluid. I know I did when I did my tranny oil change. Oh yeah, be ready with PLENTY of towels that can be thrown away cause there will ALOT of the old tranny fluid that wiil spill after you remove the pan. Sadly, there's no plug to remove like the engine oil pan has. And be sure to remove the HEAVY plastic skid plates cause there WILL be oil from the engine and tranny changes. Oh wait, you're getting the oil changed at the dealer, have them do a tranny oil change as well.