I am looking to spend about $3,500 cash for a new DD. I live in the super far north now and need something that I can count on. I used to drive an XJ but don't have that anymore. I've always liked the look and sound of the Durango but why are they SO cheap?

I have heard all kinds of horror stories about reliability, transmissions and other drivetrain parts especially... can someone fill me in on this?

How well do they do off road (novice stuff)

What should I look for?

What kind of gas mileage do you get out of yours (probably crap)?

 

Well those horror stories are just that stories. They are generally very reliable. The thing is most people don't do is the maintenance then when something goes wrong they blame the vehicle. They are a great off-road vehicle in my opinion. They are very stable off-road and have fairly good traction, especially if it has the factory LSD. They were worth a lot more then gas shot through the roof. Mine has depreciated $3000 in the last 4yrs. Transmissions in dodges require fluid changes a lot more frequently than gm or ford until ATF+4 came out. They also require the bands be adjusted. There have been countless trannies replaced due to the bands being about of adjustment and shops lookin' for a sucker. Now the band adjustment doesn't apply to the durangos with the 4.7l v8 cause they have a different transmission.

What you need to look for is burnt transmission fluid and ask about how often the tranny was serviced. Check the corners of the bumper for rust, ask about when the ball joints were replaced (if they ever have). HTH

 

Well I will tell you my thoughts.
I bought her brand new, 2001 Durango 4X4 with the 4.7L SLT package.
I did not opt for the tow package but did have a hitch installed and towed snowmobiles from N. Illinois up to the U.P. quite a bit over the years.
I have never, ever had a problem with the tranny.
In 156K miles here is what I have had to do to the truck.

10 miles - 100K - brake pads, light bulbs, rubber, a cracked vacum hose here or there.
100K - current 156K - same as earlier regular maintenance stuff +
Crank position sensor
Cam position sensor
Throttle position sensor
Thermostat
Cat back exhaust (Sounds better with the FlowMAster anyway)
If you can find a more reliable truck for the money - buy it, but I don't think you will!

 

Is there a particular year, model or engine/trans/tcase combo that is best?

 

it depends on what you want to do with the truck, for daily driving i would look for something with the 4.7 and 545rfe transmission (these are very late 2002 model year and all 2003 model year trucks with the 4.7) this will give you a more efficient engine, and a more efficient transmission (the 545 is the only 5 speed trans available in these trucks) if you want to tow look for something with a 5.9l in it,
2003 is the favorite model year either way because they got a nice brake upgrade over previous years (much larger front disks as well as rear disks)


i would also like to point about that everything adukart said is true, all the reliability issues with these trucks are not that at all, they are really a laziness issue on the part of the buyer who doesnt change the fluids and do the maintenance on the appropriate schedule.