04 Just crapped out - should I get another?
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04 Just crapped out - should I get another?
Hi
My 04 Durango just blew its tranny and with 280,000 KM I am questionning if it is going to be worth fixing. If I do decide to put it to rest I am hoping you all can help me with a few questions about what to get next. Here is what I can think of to ask so far: Any years between 04 and 10 to avoid? With the Hemi - when did they introduce the cylinders that would shut down when not needed? How much of a gas saving does this give? Mine has the rear end that isn't the greatest for pulling. It pulls my 30 foot light travel trailer decently but it would be nice to have a bit more torque going through the mountains - we live in Alberta. Does this rear end eat up significantly more gas? We have the Limited, besides the sunroof what would we loose going to a different class? Now don't take this the wrong way all you dodge fans but besides the $1000 in new tires I JUST put on and the winter set in the garage that I just took off (these should fit on any durango in this class right?) and my fairly decent experience with my old Durango I don't have an attachment to Dodge - nothing against Dodge either - but if I left Dodge is there a better choice out there in a similarly sized SUV?
Thanks much for all your help.
My 04 Durango just blew its tranny and with 280,000 KM I am questionning if it is going to be worth fixing. If I do decide to put it to rest I am hoping you all can help me with a few questions about what to get next. Here is what I can think of to ask so far: Any years between 04 and 10 to avoid? With the Hemi - when did they introduce the cylinders that would shut down when not needed? How much of a gas saving does this give? Mine has the rear end that isn't the greatest for pulling. It pulls my 30 foot light travel trailer decently but it would be nice to have a bit more torque going through the mountains - we live in Alberta. Does this rear end eat up significantly more gas? We have the Limited, besides the sunroof what would we loose going to a different class? Now don't take this the wrong way all you dodge fans but besides the $1000 in new tires I JUST put on and the winter set in the garage that I just took off (these should fit on any durango in this class right?) and my fairly decent experience with my old Durango I don't have an attachment to Dodge - nothing against Dodge either - but if I left Dodge is there a better choice out there in a similarly sized SUV?
Thanks much for all your help.
Record Breaker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Carson:
If your current D is paid for, and still in good shape except for the trans, I say put a rebuilt trans in her and keep on trucking.
The MDS cylinder shut down system came to the Durango with the 2006 model year. It requires the use of 5w20 oil for proper operation.
Most folks with it report highway mpg in the low 20's when not towing or driving aggressively. They redesigned the front end for 2007. I like that style better and would have held out for it had the budget cooperated.
I did get the Hemi though, and highly recommend it.
The two factory axle ratio options for the Gen 2 D are 3.55 and 3.92. The taller 3.55 gear was used roughly 66% of the time, and the shorter 3.92 33%.
The mpg difference is not that great, but it does help when towing.
As far as trouble prone years to avoid, that would be 2004 which you already have, so I would suggest 2007 or newer if you are going for a new(er) Gen 2.
The Gen 3 is also a very nice ride, and if that would be in the budget I would check the out also..... :0) Don
If your current D is paid for, and still in good shape except for the trans, I say put a rebuilt trans in her and keep on trucking.
The MDS cylinder shut down system came to the Durango with the 2006 model year. It requires the use of 5w20 oil for proper operation.
Most folks with it report highway mpg in the low 20's when not towing or driving aggressively. They redesigned the front end for 2007. I like that style better and would have held out for it had the budget cooperated.
I did get the Hemi though, and highly recommend it.
The two factory axle ratio options for the Gen 2 D are 3.55 and 3.92. The taller 3.55 gear was used roughly 66% of the time, and the shorter 3.92 33%.
The mpg difference is not that great, but it does help when towing.
As far as trouble prone years to avoid, that would be 2004 which you already have, so I would suggest 2007 or newer if you are going for a new(er) Gen 2.
The Gen 3 is also a very nice ride, and if that would be in the budget I would check the out also..... :0) Don
Professional
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Cochrane Alberta(thats in Canada)
Hey where in Alberta are you? I'm near Calgary. I just finished shopping for a Durango. Ended up getting a 2006 Limited. Not many limiteds out there.
I was shopping for a 2006 and up and trying to stay under $15,000 and 150,000kms. Wasn't easy. Went with 2006+ as MDS came out in 2006. No Durangos were made in 2010 and then in 2011 they came out with the new model. I only looked at Hemis as I want to tow with it.
2009 introduced variable cam timing and a 50hp bump. All the 2009-2010 were way out of my price range. Looked at a few Aspens(they are a blinged up, think Escalade, version of the Durango). Didn't like the Aspen for its chromy bling and you lost a seat. 2nd row got a center console instead of a seat.
Coulkd not find any with 3.92gears. Finally found a nice, clean, well kept 2006 with 150,000kms on it. Talked them down to $11k. It was a family in Olds who communted to Calgary with it. I looked all over Calgary and eventually stopped even looking at the used car lots. Everything was junk and the sales people were SLIMEY! Made my skin crawl just talking to them. Eventually just concentrated on dealers and private deals. Watch the rear wheel wells and bottoms of doors for rust. Saw a nice 2008 that had 90,000kms but on my 2nd walk thru noticed it had a rust hole(hole not patch) above the driver's rear wheel well. They had touched it up with paint so it was almost unnoticeable. Almost everything I looked at a bit of rust on the inside bottom of the doors. Some just a light stain, others actually crumbling off.
If you like your current truck and the rest of it is good then I would suggest getting it fixed. If you tell the tranny shop you want to tow with it the can beef it up and make it shift tighter and it will feel like a completely different unit.
I was shopping for a 2006 and up and trying to stay under $15,000 and 150,000kms. Wasn't easy. Went with 2006+ as MDS came out in 2006. No Durangos were made in 2010 and then in 2011 they came out with the new model. I only looked at Hemis as I want to tow with it.
2009 introduced variable cam timing and a 50hp bump. All the 2009-2010 were way out of my price range. Looked at a few Aspens(they are a blinged up, think Escalade, version of the Durango). Didn't like the Aspen for its chromy bling and you lost a seat. 2nd row got a center console instead of a seat.
Coulkd not find any with 3.92gears. Finally found a nice, clean, well kept 2006 with 150,000kms on it. Talked them down to $11k. It was a family in Olds who communted to Calgary with it. I looked all over Calgary and eventually stopped even looking at the used car lots. Everything was junk and the sales people were SLIMEY! Made my skin crawl just talking to them. Eventually just concentrated on dealers and private deals. Watch the rear wheel wells and bottoms of doors for rust. Saw a nice 2008 that had 90,000kms but on my 2nd walk thru noticed it had a rust hole(hole not patch) above the driver's rear wheel well. They had touched it up with paint so it was almost unnoticeable. Almost everything I looked at a bit of rust on the inside bottom of the doors. Some just a light stain, others actually crumbling off.
If you like your current truck and the rest of it is good then I would suggest getting it fixed. If you tell the tranny shop you want to tow with it the can beef it up and make it shift tighter and it will feel like a completely different unit.