Okay, so, hopefully I am all set to just run forward with the new ride. Step 1 is getting to know it.

It did not come with a manual or documentation of any kind. Without knowing anything about Dodge or Durangos or really digging very deep (its cold and dark out!) here is what I can tell:

Aftermarket exhaust- what kind is it? no idea how to tell.
Maybe a lift? It is sitting on 31" ATs... and it feels VERY stiff. Can't tell for sure if there is a mild lift or not.
Running board things- aftermarket- there is a logo on them, but can't remember it at the moment.

The stereo is stock for sure.
Stock roof rack- anyone know the capacity off the top of their head?

Square trailer hitch port- does that mean it is Class III? (and what does Class III mean?)

4wd shifter has 2wd, part time 4wd high, full time 4wd high, full time 4wd low. Can I shift into these on the fly? Is part time safe for like... rainy weather freeway? In my old wranglers you didn't use 4wd unless you goddamn meant it

I would bet money there is a K&N filter. I can't imagine somebody going straight to modded exhaust with pausing for a new filter- but I will check... Uh, its been years since I payed attention to this stuff- will there be a logo on it? I feel like I will be able to tell but... Shrug.

It looks like there are ports in the front ground effect thing for foglights- the ports are empty. Are foglights in these ports standard for an SLT?

How can I confirm what motor is in it? Will that tell me what gearing I likely have?

Uh- okay that is all I can think of and I should probably go to bed.

Thanks guys,
B

 

I think you left out neutral.

That sounds like the transfer case I have. I've shifted from 2WD to 4FT on the fly at low speeds and it was just fine. Personally, I always like to be at a complete stop with the tranny in neutral before shifting the transfer case. It just seems to be the procedure that is always safe in any flavor of 4WD vehicle, and it saves me from having to worry about which procedure is ok for whatever I happen to be driving....

As for 4PT on a rainy freeway? I'd say that's asking for trouble. The type of trouble that requires the fire department to be called. 4FT, sure, you could use that, but 4PT I would only use on snow, ice, sand, or mud. And even then only after I'd determined that 4FT just wasn't cutting it.

While this is a great transfer case, it does have some quirks. Shifting from any 4WD mode back into 2WD requires a good deal of open space so you can back up a long ways, swerving from side to side as you back up. Otherwise axle bind will cause it to stick in 4PT and as soon as you hit dry pavement, your front differential will blow up like a grenade (this is where you have to call the fire trucks.....).

Don't trust the dash lights to tell you what mode your's in. They only tell you where the shift lever is. With this transfer case it's entirely possible to have the dash lights tell you that you're in 2WD even though the transfer case is sticking in 4PT. Lazy, **** poor engineering on Chrysler's part, if you ask me. Would have been better to leave the dash light out entirely. No information is better than wrong information.

Also remember that this is a 4WD, not an AWD. IMHO, if the roads are good enough to be driving over 45 mph, shift it into 2WD.

 

31" tires will fit stock, and are(were?) the stock tire offered on many of these trucks, check the clearance on the tire, if there is very little you are at stock ride height

no way to tell about the exhaust unless there is a logo stamped on it

i believe the roof rack capacity is 300lbs?(not really sure that number seems to ring a bell tho, ill try and check for you later)

i believe the hitch is a class IV(according to my build sheet anyway)

you got the favorite t-case in this group, as said above be careful with it and make sure its out before driving on pavement (im not oging to re-type everything, he is correct anyway)

the only part he messed up on, you can switch into 4hi and 4pt on the fly at speeds of under 25 or 30, but 4 lo you need to stop and put the truck into nuetral, in these trucks you really dont need 4wd that often, and as you said w/ your wrangler, only when you goddamn mean it, i have used it a total of 3 times (only when i needed it) in more than 4 years. . .

the filter you should be able to tell if it is paper or reusable just by looking at it

yes i believe the foglights are standard, however if the ports are there, but there is a plastic cover over them instead of a light then the truck came without fog lights, if the ports are open (holes through the bumper) then they are missing.

there should be a sticker under the hood which says which engine you have, read it and you will know (my guess is you have a 5.2 being that it is a 99 and only an SLT, i think 5.9 was SLT+ and RT only, but im not always right)

 

I've been wearing 31"s since stock.. yes..

2 x 4s work great with the roof rack.. i need to use them when i put a canoe up their.. just put them down where ever is clever to help support the weight you put up top..

with the transfer case you do not have a 4wd pt.. its only a 4wd hi and 4wd low (other than 2wd).. they didn't put in the right lights.. 4wd hi will work just fine in rainy weather but avoid it if the tires are gripping and if you feel any binding (mostly while turning)..

you will see the 4wd part time light on whenever it is in 4wd, hi or low.. the only real way to tell is to look at the floor shifter..

you might also find a sticker that will tell your engine size inside the driver side door.. if you really want to know all your information take your truck to the dodge dealership and ask for a vehicle build report.. they will use your vin number and pull all the info on your ride.. (also check for recalls) I did this once through email and i'm sure you can find it on the forum if you search for it..

good luck

 

you are wrong, dodge did offer a transfer case with the options he pointed out (2hi, 4pt, 4ft,4lo) and this guy sounds like he DOES have it, and you should NOT use 4wd (pt, ft or low) on anything where it is NOT necessary, it should only be used when the wheels can freely slip on the road surface, either snowy, muddy, loose gravel, ect, NEVER on dry or wet roads (ice is fine, but just wet with water will cause alot of problems with the driveline)

 

+1-------Very true.


It's called the NV242HD T-case (AKA...NV242). It was only available in 1998-1999. It has 5 selections as indicated by the OP. You need to be very careful when using this case.

You really need to read these threads found about 1/2 way down in this section: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...wers-faqs.html