Hi all,
Been lurking for awhile. Recently, the new owner of an '03 Durango. It was a railroad fleet vehicle. Not the prettiest; But think I can do it some justice in the upcomming months and years.

Steve

 

Welcome to DF!

 

Welcome!

 

This is the "now" pic

 

First order of business is to do a bit of engine work. Has a cracked head. Plan is to do the top end of the engine (new heads, gaskets,bolts, timing chains, etc...). Anything else I should think about while I have it apart?

 

What motor is it? If its a 360 do the plenum gasket as long as you have the intake off for all the other work.

 

4.7 L
Will do all new gaskets. Plan is to do the whole top end. It does run. Has a slight miss on the #8 cylinder due to the head. Thanks for the warm welcomes and the input!

 

Todays progress: Got build sheet and a follow up call to make sure I received it. A few things I didn't know, but no surprises. Added a couple vanity items; Steering wheel cover and pedal pads.
Grill update next while waiting to get the head work done.

 

I have been reading through the old threads and see a lot of reference to the owners manual. Of course mine did not have one. Purchased one on eBay with the maintenance log and case for $14.95. I was fortunate enough to get a Chilton repair manual included with the purchase of the vehicle.

Being an old fleet vehicle, it is pretty Plain Jane. So orderd a couple of 4.7L emblems to dress up the front fenders a bit. Pulling the grill today to do a little repaint. I'll keep the white grill shell and paint the cross bars black. I'll post up some pics as things progress.

 

So here is my silly vanity upgrade for the 4.7L emblems.

1) I hit the area for the emblem with rubbing compound
2) Used some very fine grade wet/dry sandpaper to help with adhesion
3) Determined where I wanted them placed. I used painters tape and a small level to make sure they were straight. A tape measuer to center.
4) They were self adhesive; So peeled the tape backing and applied.
5) ran a wooden roller uver them to help press them on.

Vanity upgrade complete. lol!