I have Purchased a 98 Durango with a 5.2 318 4x4 SLT. I am starting this Thread to Keep track of what I do and get input from all you great peeps. I have not yet gotten her home as she will only move in the forward motion. reverse works but the rear axle prevents her from Moving. I know this cause the rear Drive live is not installed at the time. Saturday 12/28 when I was gonna take her home the weather was Horrible. Snow winds and Icy roads made me decide that I am not gonna attempt to get her home. This coming Saturday 01/04 Should how ever be a different Story as of now the weather looks to be decent to get her home. I will have to get her on the trailer and get her home. I already have an axle lined up to replace old axle. It is from a 2000 Durango.
Plans -
2 to 3 inch lift - 3" Keys and Add a leaf
Possible 1.5 inch Body lift
33x12.50 / 15 Tires
Lockers (maybe)
Trim a little on front and rear bumpers.
Hit the trails.

Fixes -
Drivers Window - wont go up
Passenger rear window - wont go up or down
Minor Details.

Here is her Before picture.

I will keep the thread updated as the Changes happen.

 

Here is the Engine.

 

Well Saturday 01/11 She will be on her way home. Will get pics of her on the trailer and when we are on our way home.

 

Well here she is all loaded up and ready to head home.

As I was goofing with her before getting her loaded on to the trailer found out she does not have the 3rd row seating. Its all good. A lot of storage for things that I will need on the trail.

Here she is at home.



And here is her issue. Will be fixed soon.


I already have a rear axle to replace this one. I was told they were driving down the road at about 45 mph and then all the brakes locked up on her or that is what it felt like to her. So I will be looking at the brakes. Also saw that the wrong size tires are on her. She has 235/75R15's on her. I will how ever be putting some 32's on her that I have on my other rig. Just got to get them changed out. Here is what they look like.

This is them mounted on a 97 Explorer Sport

Once I have them unmounted from the Ford and mounted on the D I will show you all.

 

Quite likely what they though was brakes locking up, was the result of the diff grenading, not the cause. Brakes are likely fine, but, since you are changing the rear end anyway, new brakes all around wouldn't really be such a bad idea.

 

Yeah that is what I am planning to do. Get new brakes and make sure my new to me axle is good to go. Any idea what would have caused the Driver line to do that?

 

Failed bearing, lack of lubrication, someone did an improper repair previously, bad luck, wrong phase of the moon..... Etc.

If taken care of, rear ends very seldom fail.

 

You might get some rubbing with 32s. Even with the factory 31s I got some rubbing on the frame at full lock. 235/75r15 was a factory size as well, but is too narrow of a tire for something this big in my opinion.

 

On my build sheet it said my tires were suppose to be 31s. I totally agree that this size is to narrow for the D. I plan to lift it with a TT and a AAL. Once that is done will check the 32s and see what kind of rubbing I get. Thank you sir.

 

Copy all sir. LOL. I think it was the moon thing LOL