yes, you can get the SLT+ w/ the 5.9 and 4x4 (part time) the R/T was only available with AWD, but if you want an 03 you are getting a 4.7 then (considering you dont want the thirst of the 5.9)


and btw, i used to own a 3.9 dakota, and my dad owned 2 of em, good little engines, but fairly gutless on the qc/4x4 trucks, my 2wd cc was not too bad for being a 6

 

That makes sense then, because my dad's was a qc 4x4... and in that particular situation, it was jammed with 2 guys (like 340 lbs) a dog, and a couple hundred pounds of cargo. So I guess my point is that obviously a V8 durango would do better, but what would the difference be? and between the 4.7 and 5.9 (not that I am going to get a 5.9). I realize that this is a subjective question, but which engine sounds the best? Those are my last questions, so thank you everybody for your help.
I am going to purchase the Durango I was looking at this week. (maybe tomorrow).

 

the v8 WILL pull better than the v6 dakota, no doubt there, my truck would leave my dads v6 qc in the dust (that thing too way too long to wind up and get going), you probably wouldnt feel anything under 3k or so w/ the druango

the 4.7 vs 5.9 is a completely subjective thing, im 20 and i still have the stock exhaust on my truck, i dont want the attention from the cops, or the ricers (in my area, its more fun making them feel bad when they dont see it coming anyway) i also dont see the point of replacing the exhaust for the sound factor, they are both v8s and do not sound bad from the factory.

 

update: I took the durango in question for a test drive, and it was great. Like the handling and the power. Didn't like the wind noise from the mirrors. It runs perfectly, and has no rust. Are there any trouble spots to be aware of? Just for kicks, I found a 5.9 to test, and I liked it, but I only averaged 9.9 MPG over my 12 km drive (50/50 city/highway), and the engine had more low end power, but seemed to have less high end power than the 4.7... So I am going with the 4.7. If anyone is wondering, it is the very very bright blue color... and I love it!

 

if its a 4x4 check the balljoints, that is the achilles heel of these trucks

 

So I bought the truck (2003 w/ 4.7 and 3.92 axle). I am not going to post pictures right now, as it is not looking up to snuff, but when I get it looking better I will. Ironically, after I bought it, I discovered that my friends VW Touareg's air suspension failed catastrophically (a $3800 repair). He needs to tow his boat back to Vancouver for winter storage, from the Shuswap, which is a 4-5 hour drive northeast of Vancouver. I offered to tow it back with my new (to me) Durango. The boat weighs nearly 5000 lbs including the trailer, but I looked it up, and apparently its tow rating is 5700 lbs. This is a one time thing, but I am wondering if it will struggle, only because I have to tow the boat over a 4100 ft mountain pass, which is steeper going west, fortunately. What do you guys think? The alternative is going a much longer (6-7 hour) flatter way, which is a windy 2 lane highway (vs a 4-6 lane freeway). Should I take that route? I will report back, which will be tomorrow evening, after the drive back tomorrow morning (I am driving up there tonight).

 

Also any tips or driving techniques?

 

you should be fine towing that, just lock out OD, and make sure you are up to date on your maintenance (trans fluid is good, oil is good, trans is shifting good) just take it easy (stay in the left lane and take your time) and go easy on the brakes that is the weak point of these trucks for towing, if the trailer happens to have brakes make sure you get a controller hooked up and USE IT. other than that i cant think of anything, you should be fine taking either route following this advice

 

ok cool. the trailer does have brakes, and I will have them all hooked up and ready to go. All the fluids are up to date, and many things have been done to the engine to get it ready to sell (new spark plugs, serpentine belt, oil filter, air filter) and the brake pads are only about a month old. It is obviously a 5 speed, so is 3rd the gear of choice for downhill, or maybe second if it's really steep?

 

you really cant control the 3rd gear shifting so it would be 4th (d) or 2nd, but if you are doing highway speeds just locking out OD should be enough, ymmv so use your head and drive accordingly

EDIT: i have a friend who tows ALOT, and what he does is when going downhill he will use the trailer brakes to maintain the speed so that he saves the brakes on his truck, just a thought