Hey fellas!!! So a friend and i have decided to turn our cars into offroad tanks so that we could hit up some kick A** trails. Question- are there any skid plates and underside guards for the 1st gen durango? I'm kind of bummed that front has independent front suspension :/ would it be possible to swap it to a solid axle set up? or does it require a overhaul on the whole front?

what are your guyses opinions on the durango for offroading pros? cons? anything i should upgrade? what parts do you recommend etc.

i so far have a 2" t/s lift, bilstein shocks and im getting some new 32" rubs in a couple of weeks. My cars AWD with the option of 4hi and 4lo. its the slt model.

thanks

 

Virus swapped his Dak into a single axle. Yes, it involves a entire front end overhaul.

By car, you mean Durango, and it's AWD then it's an R/T unless someones switched out parts?

 

yea i mean durango by "car" lol.

The durango was purchased way back in 2001 when it came out and vie been the only owner. its the 2001 dodge durango 4.7l slt 4x4. on the electronic transfer case switch on the dash it has 3 modes AWD, 4HI, and 4Lo either they typed the wrong words on that little dash switch or they put the wrong emblems on the outside of the car? lol i have the build sheet


According to our records, your vehicle was equipped from the factory with the following:

*EJ Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
-DV Dark Slate Gray
AA8 SLT Value Group
ADAS Light Group
AFH Interior Convenience Group
AGWP Tire, Wheel and Wheelflare Group
AJKS Convenience Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ASPP SLT Decor Group
A29P 4.7L Engine(EVA)/4Spd A/T 45RFE(DG4) BAZS 136 Amp Alternator BCES 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery BCSS Run Down Protection Battery BGJS Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes BKAS 11x2 Rear Drum Brakes CADP High Back Bucket Seats CBFP Premium Door Trim Panel CBPP Cloth Door Trim Panel w/Map Pocket CFMP Rear Folding Seat CFPP 3rd Row Seat CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags** CKAS Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops CLEP Front & Rear Floor Mats CSRS Passenger Assist Handles CSWS Driver Assist Handle CUCP Floor Console CUNP Overhead Console CURS Rear Compartment Storage Tray DGBS All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DG4 Multi-Speed Auto 45RFE Transmission DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter DHV Elec,Shift-on-the-Fly,F/Time T/Case DJDS 205MM Front Axle DMDS 3.55 Axle Ratio DRAP Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle EAAC All Engines EVA 4.7L V8 MPI Engine GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass GFAS Rear Window Defroster GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror GNCP Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors GURS Power Mirrors GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors GXRS Keyless Entry HADS Air Cond'ing w/Dual Zone Temp Cntrl HBBP Rear Air Conditioning w/Heater I48S Route 48 - UP, Mira Loma, CA JAAS Instrument Panel JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach JBFS Instrument Panel Black Bezel JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers JHDS Rear Var Intermittent Wiper/Washer JJAS Cigar Lighter JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns JJJP 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet JJMS Auxiliary 12-Volt Rear Power Outlet JPBS Power Locks JPDS Power Windows, Driver One-Touch JPVP Power 8-Way Driver Seat K2DP STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR K5DP STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR LACS Illuminated Entry LAFS Key in Ign/Seat Belt Warning Buzzer LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes LALS Low Washer Fluid Warning Signal LAMS Door Ajar Warning Lamp LANS Decklid/Liftgate Ajar Warning Lamp LBCP Glove Box Lamp LBDP Ash Tray Lamp LCDP Map/Dome Reading Lamps LDGS Liftgate Flood Lamps LMBS Halogen Headlamps LNJP Fog Lamps LPSS CHMSL Lamp MBQP Body Color Rear Bumper w/Step Pads MDAP Front License Plate Bracket MFDP Bright Grille MGAS Ram's Head Badge MHAS Black Windshield Moldings MLHP Body Color Front Fascia MRL Body Color Running Boards MURP Dodge Badge MUSP 4X4 Badge MUZP SLT Badge MWGP Roof Rack MWHS Rear Wheelhouse Liners MZJP Durango Bright Badge NAE California Emissions NBKS EVAP Control System NBUP Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) NF4S 25 Gallon Fuel Tank NHCS Oil Level Sensor NHMP Speed Control PDR Graphite Metallic Clear Coat QDRS Graphite Metallic Clear Coat RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles RAZP AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio RCGS 6 Speakers RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna RDZP Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering SCGP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel SDBS Heavy Duty Suspension SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar SHCS Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars SUAP Tilt Steering Column TBBS Full Size Spare Tire TBMS Tire Carrier Winch TXVP P265/70R16 OWL All Terrain Tires TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires WD1P 16X8.0 Cast Aluminum Wheels WKBP Matching Spare Wheel WLZC All Aluminum Wheels XDXS Scissor Type Jack XGDP Universal Garage Door Opener YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications YGFA 8 Additional Gallons of Gas ZARP Spring - Left Rear ZBAP Spring - Left Front ZNRP Spring - Right Rear ZPAP Spring - Right Front Z5AS GVW/Payload Rating 00KA 40726-105 Mga 00K 00RA 40812101 Mga 00R 00WA 40701100B Mga 00W 00ZA 56110-708B Mga 00Z 001A FAM: LH TRACKING: 81026L05 002A FAM: DN TRACKING: 10208T09 MY:2001 1AAS U.S. Dealer Retail 171S Zone 71-Los Angeles 2TGA Customer Preferred Package 2TG 26G Customer Preferred Package 26G 3VTA Customer Preferred Discount 39EA SLT Value Group Discount 5IYS ZB-Vehicle Family 594S Vehicle Order Tracking 6USS U.S. Specifications Label 605S California Ship to State Code 905S California Sold to State Code

 

Sounds like we have D brothers! There are two "skid plates" under the engine and tranny. They're made of heavy duty type plastic and very heavy and thick. I think there are repalcement parts but can't think of where to get them. Good luck on the transformation! Keep us posted!

 

Look under the D at the fram rails, see any parts protruding down past the frame rails? Use a sheet of steel to cover rail to rail making sure not to obstruct the driveshaft travel. Same with the front, i use packing peanuts in a bag for my skid plates

 

LMAO!!! packing peanuts? hjaha thats funny.

I was thinking about the idea of using sheet metal thanks!!

would i just drill some holes and screw that SH*t on?

 

I sometimes wish I had lifted my D instead of making a pavement pounder. Time to start looking for a second one I guess.

 

ha. I just like the idea of making the durango be able to climb over any obstacle. and having it look like a tank.

 

Yeah, you will have to change some stuffs there...

 

lol just a little bit.