So I just purchased a 2001 R/T and I noticed that the front bumper which was not OEM paint was full plastic. Meaning the top part which on my 2000 SLT is metal, was all plastic on the R/T. On the 2000 SLT the top is metal bottom is plastic.

Is this an R/T deal or did the previous owner get cheap and put on a full plastic piece. Hell I have no idea what would happen the bumper if say someone hits the front. There is no support without the metal to hit. But maybe it made the R/T lighter? The parts catalog is showing 55255845 which is the metal top bumper.

 

Yes, all the R/T's are plastic, I suspect for the shape being more complex and to keep the full paint consistent. There is indeed enough support for accidents else it wouldn't have gotten off the assembly line (which I toured on '01, back when it was in Newark Delaware).

 

Thanks Don you are mr expert on these!

Didn't want to make a new thread so figure I will throw it in here. Do you think an aftermarket transmission filter is more efficient then the stock one that runs across the rad. The cost of an oem style one is about 100 something on rockauto and fits nicely in front of the ac cooler. I picked up a B&M transmission cooler and don't know if I should use that or just get the dorman stock one.

 

I don't know the answer on a trans cooler, which is best. My R/T came with a tow package, which included a better cooler, which is all I've ever had. I did swap the trans pan for a B&M finned aluminum one, which had a threaded temp sensor port built in. I then added an Autometer trans temp gauge. Now that I'm in NM not NY (moved in 2011), I wanted to know whats going on when I tow my 5800 lb trailer and Jeep through the desert.

 

I don't think the bumper has anything to do with the trim level. If I remember right, they just switched to the full plastic bumper in 01.

 

Interesting facts on the front bumper, would be interesting in knowing why this came about aside from cost and the fact that the metal one rusts out. Personally I don't get why durangos have so many rust issues.

Don, what temps are you seeing when you tow? I assume the factory cooler you have is the long horizontal one that sits in front like this (image attach)? I just read its tube and fin style. Where did you mount your temp gauge?

 

They're 14-19 year old vehicles, rust is going to happen, and it really doesn't seem worse than any other cars of a similar age.

 

Totally disagree with you on that. These trucks are rust prone more then any other vehicle I have ever owned. Lower quarter panels and the hatches are notorious. I have several gm cars from the 90's and an 84 with next to no rust and it was a daily driver in salt haven on NJ.

 

It's max 150° around town normally, usually less. On the road towing, it's 175°, on hot towing days slowing to get through town after the highway it hits 180-190°. It got to 210° once at 10,000 feet getting the Jeep to Silverton, CO from Durango. I put the gauge under the dash at right leg, really dislike the pretentious pillar pods.

You're just not old enough. The '64 Chevy Impala SS 327 convertible I bought in '66 rusted through the trunk lid completely by '68, lived in Detroit at the time, parked it outside.