I am lookin at gettin an suv for the family stuff and a friend is selling a 2000 dodge durango (4.7 V8 IIRC). He had the tranny and motor rebuilt after 100k miles. Does that raise a flag with anyone? Gimmie some feed back because my knowledge of this vehicle is severely lacking.
i cant be overly helpful...but an ex g/f's dad had one...that thing was awesome and he misses it every single day and regrets trading it in for a new one... as far as rebuilding the engine and tranny...i guess that depends on how he drove it and took care of it maybe?
I had a '99 Durango (5.2L) for several years. Pretty painless. Only minor things to repair; biggest one was the window control on the driver's side. After 100K mi, I'd probably check out the suspension components as well. New shocks and bushings are probably ready to be installed. I'd change out ALL the fluids as well. Oil, Brake, Tranny, Transfer Case, Differentials, Wiper. I remember there was a gas tank strap TSB for the Durangos. Check to make sure that's been taken care of.
The wifey's mom had a 1998 5.9L Durango. That thing was a freaking tank and not one problem that I can recall. To this day, we all still miss it. (Traded in '05 for a Jaguar X-type).
For some reason whenever I used to get them in the shop, they were all junk and seemed barely roadworthy. Of course I'm going to say get an Xterra, but I'm biased toward nissans.
I had a 2002 4.7 durrango with 3.55 gears and my 2007 srt-8 jeep gets a little better mileage than the 4.7 did. As far as the rebuild on engine and tranny at 100,000 i wouldnt touch it .
Yeah, MPG will suckkkkkkkkk. I'm not sure of the 4.7L, but my 5.2L and the big ol' 5.9L are thirsty critters. My SRT-10 gets slightly better MPG than my Durango did.
Had a 99 Durango fully loaded, was a great truck. Loved it. Sold it last year for an Odyssey (yea, kids) and I still miss it. Had the 5.9L 360 and yea, it was thirsty but knew that going in (averaged 10-12 round town). Hwy mileage really sucked though, no matter what we did (tire psi jacked up, fully UN-loaded, perfectly tuned, keeping it at 55-60 mph) it still never got above 15 and that's just pathetic for the hwy. Had 60K when we traded it in and it had a few minor probs over the years here and there but nothing major. Servicing was expensive, especially the AWD system, but otherwise a great truck. BTW, had the upgraded Infinity sound system on it and it was great. Added an MTX 8" sub (fully complete with amp in one enclosure) that was an insanly simple plug and play in the rear floor compartment and it was awesome!!!! Some of the best sound I've ever had in a car. If you do get one and like a little bass look for it, got mine from Crutchfield. As for the 4.7L and tranny it came from the Jeeps and was new in the Durango for 99. I stayed away cause I heard of problems with them but if you want mileage that motor/tranny setup def got better. Nothing like a good old 360 though. Good luck!!
Ok quick update I talked to the guy turns out I mis quoted its a 98. the engine was replaced because the oil pump failed and the motor seized. the tranny was rebuilt since he messed it up towing a car back from colorado. all of the window regulator assemblies have been replaced. He is gonna loan it to me for the weekend so I am gonna drive it and see what we think.
