Dont know a thing about the Durangos but the wife wants one. Most we are looking at are in the 150-175k range but I plan on waiting till next year to rebuild the tranny and engine (I can do the work myself). Are they pretty stout?

We currently own a 95 Jeep Cherokee with a 5.2 and 181,000 original miles (runs like new though) so I'm familiar with the 5.2 Magnums but not the 5.9s. They any good? I know 5.2 are pretty much bulletproof just no history with the 5.9

Anything to look for or anything I should know?

Do they ALL have 3rd row seats or was it just a popular option?

How do the Transfer case and transmissions hold up?

Thanks for any info ya'll can give. I appreciate it.

 

The 5.9 is pretty much the same, just a larger displacement version of he 5.2, and is just as reliable. I'd also say that the transmissions and Tcases hold up very well, these have proven to be very reliable trucks if well taken care of, just like your Jeep. Not all have the 3rd row seer, and at least in Denver I see plenty of both. In 2001 they re-did the interior and along with that improved some things such as adding heated seats with the leather, dual front climate control and a rear heater instead of just A/C on the 98-00s. The 4.7s starting sometime in 2002 got a 5 speed transmission, but on a 2001 up until the changeover you can get the 5 speed by changing the TCM to one programmed to use the extra gear (has to be from a Jeep), as it was only a software change, I mentioned this because it does give a bit of an MPG increase on the highway. The 2003s also had the option of 4 wheel disk brakes. And as far as I know if you want one with full time AWD you'll want to find a 5.9 R/T model. And thats about all the information than I can get together now, some may not be helpful, but just thought I'd try and list various differences in case they help.

 

Thanks! So the 01's came with the transmission just not the software on using the 5th gear? Interesting LOL.

SOME of the 01's are getting above our price range but I have seen a couple in our range. Hows the 4.7? Didnt even know they made one.....

 

the 4.7 is a solid motor, lacks aftermarket support and as such some of the guys will rag on it, but as a DD engine its the best choice, good power for dd and the best fuel economy you will get out of one of these trucks comes w/ the 4.7

 

Like said above the 5.9 is essentially just a bored and stroked 5.2. Pretty much all the parts you can get to without tearing the engine apart are interchangeable. The 5.2 and 5.9 are known to go well over 200,000 miles and a good bit go over 300,000 as well.

Like shrp said the 4.7 is a good motor. It's pretty much matched with the 5.2 in terms of power (albiet the 4.7s power comes up a bit higher in the rev range) and it'll do decent fuel economy too. Shrp likes to harass us 5.2 and 5.9 guys saying he averages 17 or 18 mpg.

Since you seem to be familiar with your 5.2 you may want to stick with the 5.2 or 5.9 for simplicity's sake, but the 4.7 shouldn't be that hard to pick up on, so it's really up to you.

Thought I'd add this also. The 5.2 was available in 98-00 (rwd only in 00), the 5.9 was available 98-03, and the 4.7 was available 00-03.

I've never actually seen a Durango without the 3rd row seat, but I know adukart on here doesn't have one, so it seems like most of them that you come across with have the 3rd row.

 

Thanks a ton!

Looks like I'm sold then.

It's gonna be a DD with an occasional trip (2-3x a year) pulling a 12' Pop-up Trailer.

Wife dont care about addons and I got my Z28 when I get bored

Again thanks a ton for the information

 

17-18 is in mixed driving with my 4.7, i got 21 driving down to VA this fall straight highway driving avging 75-80

 

O good then it'll be what she's used to.

Our current 95 Jeep 5.2 gets about 19-20 on the highway.

 

I wish the 5.2 in my Durango could do that. I usually get 16-17mpg on the highway and average 13-14mpg overall.

 

Hey...now you're discouraging me.....lol