I was just wondering what you guys thought of this Durango, I test drove it today and really liked it. Except the side of the center console is cracked. is this something that's available at a scrapyard? Does this seem like a good deal?

Here's the link to the Truck:
http://www.ballwegchevrolet.com/2002...-WI/vd/9775546

 

If you like it great, if you aren't mechanically inclined get a mechanic to do a thorough inspection on it so that you know what you are getting into. Being from WI I would be very careful with a 10 yr old vehicle. You are going to want to watch out for rust.

 

Also they have it listed as a 5pd auto. All 1st gens had 4spd auto's unless a Grand Cherokee TCM swap was done.

 

Good catch adukart. I didn't even notice it

 

I think 2003 4.7s were changed to the 545RFE, thus being 5-speed, but a 2002 should be a 4-speed.

 

check under the hood, 2002 and 2003 trucks could have had either a 4 speed or a 5 speed.

if the PCM has 4 plugs (and it is a 4.7l engine) then you have a 5 speed, if the PCM has 3 plugs and the engine is a 4.7 then it is a 4 speed and there should be another electronic control unit mounted closer to the front, behind the headlight on the passenger side, if the engine is a 5.9l then it has a 4 speed transmission.

some late MY 2002 trucks are lucky enough to have gotten the 5 speed transmisison.

 

Does the 5speed really help mpg that much?
I would ask if anything was done to it.
Trans fluid, diff fluid, transfer case fluid, plugs, wires, rotor, etc. If they haven't then I would ask for a tune up and all the fluids to be changed before you buy...just makes life easier down the road.
I would also say their price is a smidge high...SUV's are down in the market at the moment because of the all powering gas price.

 

I stand corrected.

 

i would imagine that yes the 5 speed trans does help w/ mpgs, i can cruise btwn 75 and 80 and only turn 2k rpms on the tach, i cant see a way that is bad for mpgs except when going up hills and you need to downshift

 

I have a friend that lives in WI - you might be able to listen and hear it rust there..

Just kidding.

You know, I have one core major check on any used vehicle - if it doesn't get past this one, I walk away - FAST.

The tailpipe.. If it's nice and 'clean' like an old stovepipe or something it's worth looking more. If there's any sludge, oil reside, or 'odd' crap in there, you might want to just steer right away. Around the tailpipe area deserves a look too - I've seen some with soot all above the tailpipe on the underside, one was real bad about that - for giggles I thought I would ask for the keys and start it - was a GrandAM - and sure enough, it started up like crap, barely wanted to run.

99% of dealers would never think to 'doctor' the tailpipe - and that's where everything has been coming out of the engine for years. Often the car's history is evident right there, not always, of course, but it's worth a quick look.

But it's a nice clean 2002 - cleaner than my 2003 - but I can only blame myself, it was pristine when I got it. Just tend to use it for a bit of work too, so the back carpet... well, has seen better days, but I'll probably drive my D until it falls apart, and then maybe rebuild it!