Hey,

I'm considering the purchase of a 2003 Dodge Durango Laramie (4.7L). She has 176,000KMs(109,361mi) on her. I took her for a test drive and she ran fine, despite the fact the owner told me she had been sitting up for 6 months.

I'm going to get her down to the garage in the next day or to to inspect the under carriage, etc..

I'm not familiar with the vehicle, so I was hoping the veterans here on site could tell me what I'd be getting into with a Durango with over 100,000 miles.

Still solid, or look for something newer?

 

Still very good trucks, I have a 2001 and don't worry about it breaking down on me at all. And over 100,000 miles isn't anything to be afraid of. I'll let someone who knows more tell you want to look for.

 

they are definitely solid up to 200k and beyond. i have never heard of a 1st gen durango in laramie trim, top of the line was SLT+.

things to check include balljoints and check to see if the trans fluid was recently changed (its due at 100k miles so it should have been done, if not get it done ASAP).

other than that just the basic stuff that you would check on any vehicle, the 4.7 is a solid engine

 

I've never heard of a Durango laramie, but that might be a canada thing. As long as the maintenance has been done you should be in good shape. I have 150,000 miles on mine and there are lots of people with well over 200,000 miles, and even a few with over 300,000 miles.

 

If you purchase it I would get all the fluids changed. transmission oil differential fluids on both front and rear. And transfer case fluid

 

Spot check the rubber all over for dry rot, of course - it was only sitting 6 months? Yeah - the above it 100% true - change those fluids ASAP. But even a bit of dry rot on a hose or two is about the cheapest repair you'll have, just something to peek at.

Don't forget tire pressure.. might want to check the brake pads as well - keep an eye on the brake fluid in case some of the rubber got old and maybe formed a small leak. Just saying... sometimes when they say it's been sitting '6 months' - it might be 18 months and an older gent like myself who just honestly forgets how fast time moves - so all good things to check.

The only real recurring issue I had with mine was the blower motor resistor going out, it's a common problem. If it keeps failing, it might need a new blower motor (as some of the stock ones pull too much current). If you do want to check on that - it's under the passenger side dash, you'll see a connector there with 6ish wires on it. It was common for it to burn the wiring connector too. Dodge does have a replacement kit. But really - it's a minor problem - resistor is $16.00, harness repair kit is $70, and the blower motor ranged from $99+

And yeah what shrpshtr325 said too - the upper Ball joints, if they aren't Moog - put Moog on there, unless you can tell it's been a pretty recent replacement with something cheaper... blah - they are super easy to do, new ones bolt right in - someone put up a great guide on how to do them here, might have been shrpshtr325 too!

Good luck if you buy it, I only had good experiences with my D. I did trade it in, but not due to dependability - just needed a lot of little things and I needed more fuel efficiency - I mean, it's a V8 truck afterall - plenty of power... for a price..

 

I had her up on the ramp today, a LOT of little things wrong. Mostly brakes and suspension.

I knocked the price down to $3,000, what do you guys think of the price?

Moog was mentioned in a previous post for upper ball joints. What other brands do people suggest for things like, rotors, bearings, shocks?

 

I would snag it for 3k

 

3k is not a bad deal as long as everything that it needs actually is minor