So about a year ago I came into contact with someone buy 1 of the only 3 first generation Durango R/T's on the island of Oahu Hawaii. Here are some pictures and a video of the engine running.






I haven't be able to get into and be too much of a grease monkey yet. Since I've owned it I've had to replace the freeze plugs on the front of the block because the stock ones finally corroded out and now I have the brass ones in there. I think 5 on the engine still need to be swapped to the brass ones. I've had to replace the alternator because the one in it died on me suddenly. I've done several oil changes. Just recently did a spark plug change on her because I was have the infamous sputtering effect at that 35-40 mph range, but she now has NGK Iridium plugs in it, because all of the o'reilly's on the island were sold out of champion trucks (I think they're full of **** they just wanted to push NGK's). Also put in a drop in K&N air filter, planning on next weekend to build the home grown CAI and also T/S lift the durango. I'm going to be putting a lot of money into her I want to revive her and my ultimate goal is to have her gliding along in the sand dunes in California. A little about myself, I am currently serving as an active duty sailor in the United States Navy, I am stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. I don't get as much time as I would like to to show the D some TLC, she needs to be cleaned on the outside she has permanent hard water spots on her coat of paint that I just can't seem to shake with the little time I am allowed with her. But if I get stationed back in California (hopefully find out in a month or so) She's going to get all the love she needs, I'll be doing a total rebuild on her. Going to rebuild the front in, rebuild the engine, strip her of her coat of paint and probably take her to "Green with envy" like the SRT-8 Challengers have. Well that's a little about me if you have any questions, or any advice to ask or throw out there just post or message me would be appreciated thank you all!

 

Truck looks good! You may run into problems with those iridium plugs though, just go with the cheap copper ones!

 

Yeah that's what I had been reading on here, But I drive this every day to and from work so I couldn't go without her not having spark plugs in here and all the shops around here insisted they were sold out of champion plugs and I was just frustrated at the time so I just went with the iridiums.

Also I guess I should point out now, that if the rear end looks a little off that's because about 6 months ago my wife rear-ended me with our Malibu needless to say I won and then had to turn around and spend ~$1000 here in hawaii to replace the hood, headlight mounting unit, headlights, and bumper Haha But yeah the Durango is pretty solid and love her to death.

 

Not to be a butt, not sure if that is a R/T. It has the wrong rims on it if it is, should be 17" rims.

 

It's a 2000 R/T as from what I know of, I guess I'll try to go get a build sheet this week or something, because maybe it did come with the wrong tires

But it does have the 360 in it for sure, so I know I am at least rocking an R/T motor.

 

I mean I wasn't going to say it... but since were on the subject, I would agree that this is not in fact an r/t even though it has the 360.

 

I'll get a build sheet from the dealership and see what's going on, I've been following this specific Durango for 8 years now and the owner i bought it from hasn't put work in to make it seem like an R/T so potentially the owner who sold it to him swindled him, but thanks for bringing this up, can't wait to find out the truth.

 

Does it have an AWD (4HIFT) option on the transfer case shifter?

 

Just from personal experience. The 5.9 should run just fine with Iridium plugs. But not platinum's tho.

I am currently running the Champion Iridium plugs and got over 60k miles on them. They are still clean and looking new. Engine starts up right away with just a quick flick of the ignition key. they don't foul as easily as plats or copper plugs.

 

things that distinguish an R/T from SLT models.

AWD, R/T leather emblems stitched on the leather seats, 17 inch 275/60/17 rim and tires.

5.9 R/T decals on the front driver/passenger doors. OEM low restriction muffler that gives the R/T that distinct exhaust sound.