I am new to the forum, and recently became the owner of a 2000 Dodge Durango. I drove a Jeep Wrangler for many years and the 4WD was really easy to shift in and out of. Last night we had a snow and I put the Durango in 4WD this morning to get to work, but it locked up on me and started smoking right before I reached my destination. Now its parked and in Neutral, and I can't get it into either 2WD OR 4WD, so of course can't go anywhere!!! Plus I probably injured something (thus the smoke and frozen wheels [:@])

So 2 questions here: what do I need to know about operating 4WD in the Durango (I didn't get an owner's manual when I bought it), and what is my likely repair at this point? I'm having it towed later, but thought I would try to get some feedback here so I have an idea what to expect!

Thanks to anyone who can offer suggestions!!!

 

Sounds like you kissed the transfer case good by. Maybe you didn't have it all the way in 4 wheel drive or you maybe the other owner never put it in 4X4 and froze it up. Sounds like a complete rebuild.

 

How, exactly, did you put it in 4wd? 4 high or 4 low? WHY did you put it in 4 wheel?

 

Hopefully you were rolling a bit in neutral when you switched to 4WD. Also you were on a slipery surface correct? I am assuming that you know better than to put a vehicle in 4WD on dry pavement. You should also see a light in the gauge clusted that says "4WD Lock" If you do then you most deffinately are in 4WD. I would agree with the others it sounds like bye by t-case and possible axelesand/or front diff. Hope it's not too bad to fix.

 

Does anyone read the owners manual anymore? Tell you what you the operator needs to know about 4xwd in the Durangos. It also explains the difference in transfer cases Dodge built another that had a fulltime 4wd as an option on the case as well. I don't got that as much as I wish I did. we just got 7" down here in the last couple hours kicked it in 4 and even with about an 1/16" of tread left on my rear tires still was like a champ. got into some of the wind blown areas and kicked it in 4 low it worked like a dream.

 

Ok so call me stupid. I have a 2000 Durango also and have only used the 4WD once. It sounded like my transmission fell out, but i got around in the snow. It was several years ago when I did it, but I think I was in park or neutral and not moving.
My car did not come with an owners manual either. So the best way to switch it to 4WD is while in neutral and rolling slightly or at a complete stop? I normally just brave the snow when there is some on the ground! LOL
So any help is appreciated

 

To place the vehicle in 4WD High, you can move the shifter from 2WD to 4-Hi and back at any time up to 55mph. I would not recommend doing it at speeds over about 30.

To place the vehicle in 4WD Low, put the transmission in neutral, and move the shifter QUICKLY from 2WD to 4-Lo. Do NOT pause in Neutral, you'll make nice grindy noises that way. Put the transmission back in drive, and go. To shift back into 2WD, stop, put the car in neutral, and pull the shifter from 4-Lo to 2WD in one fluid motion.

It helps greatly to be rolling at under 5mph while shifting into 4-Lo. If you're on the trail or somewhere where you can't roll it to get it in gear, rock the car back and forth with your body weight. Just enough to get those gears turning in the transfer case so that the teeth can firmly lock in place. It is possible to shift into 4-Lo without moving, but the vehicle will tend to pop out of gear at the most inopportune times.

Please, WATCH YOUR TACH WHEN YOU HAVE THE VEHICLE IN 4WD. Your RPMs at any given speed are going to be MUCH higher, and it is possible to over-rev your engine or overheat your differentials or transfer case.

 

I had a question about my Durango. I've got a 2000 R/T. Shift in and out of 4-Low is fine. And im doing it right. But lets say im in 4-high. When i go to switch out of 4-High to AWD in my R/T. The thing stays in the lock. I read the manual. The only way i can seem to get it out of the lock is put in from 4-high to 4-low. Then switch it back to AWD. Its 2000 model which has the shifter and not the electronic switch. What do you think is not working? I'm kinda new to operating a 4x4 truck so.