We have a 2000 slt with 5.9. It has been good but is getting a little long in the tooth 150000 miles. She (the wife) wants a 2011 D but that is not going to happen What do you all recommend in the years 2009 and above.
I what to stay with the 5.9 don't really what the HEMI.

 

5.9 is not available in 2004+ durangos, the hemi is NOT a bad engine, it runs and lasts, and neither is the 4.7, but this should really be in the 2nd generation section if you want opinions on the later years

 

Yes but all my friends are here at the first gen D.

 

yup, but we dont know much about the 2nd gen trucks, so in order for you to get the correct information, i moved it for you

 

Go with the 2007-2009 Hemi as the 2004-2006 has a different front end than the other years. There is no model in the second generation above the 2009 models,
FF

 

Yup, 2007 they changed the fronts. There were no 2010 Durangos, as they temporarily "discontinued" it while they retooled for the newest generation (completely different everything, pretty much).

2004-2006 front end:


2007-2009 front end:


2011:

 

Get a 2011 R/T with the 5.7, a huge stepup from the 1st and 2nd gens.

If you want 2nd gen, get a 2009 5.7 with the 375HP. Very rare find (most are the lame hybrid).

I'm hoping to get another 2 years out of my wife's 2007 Durango, then I'll be upgrading it.

 

If you are dead set against the hemi, look for an 08 or 09 with 4.7, they made 300+ hp vs the 235 hp in 07 and earlier.

However, the hemi is a good, reliable engine.

 

Thanks shrpshtr325 for moving my post.
I think I should look for a 07-09 with low mileage.
I do like my 5.9 tho but will test dive the HEMI
I was not aware that dodge didn't build a 2010 D thanks jasonw.
Thank everyone.

 

5.9 is not a bad engine. Like any engine, it has a few weak points, but I really like mine in my Ram.

They stopped putting the 5.9L V8 in the Ram 1500s after 2003, even before that for the Durangos, if memory serves.

The HEMI and 2007+ 4.7L V8s are a royal pain, maintenance wise, due to the dual spark plug design. However, they do make more power.

I got my wife a 2006 4.7L V8 for a couple different reasons:
1. I didn't have to pay a mark-up for the word "HEMI" on the tailgate.
2. Lower cost/easier maintenance.
3. About the same gas mileage.
4. Wife didn't need more power than my Ram has. She'll never tow anything or use it for anything heavier than hauling people or our 80 lb German Shephard/Black Lab mix.
5. We got one heck of a deal on ours. We bought it for what Edmunds.com says it was worth, about $3k or more below NADA and KBB. The small lot had had it for a few months, and trying to just get rid of it, rather than sending it back to auction. Its also the wife's first AWD, and she really loves that. (Her last vehicle was a 2004 Jeep GC that spun out and totaled on an icy interstate bridge.)