i'm looking at a 98 durango with a 5.9L, 4x4 and 80,000 what i was wondering is how are these trucks for DDing and any problems i need to look for? also what kind of milage am i looking at? Also i know im not sa'post to believe the read out milage but i have a hard time believing that it is about 7-9 miles off. it said it was getting 17-19 on the highway around here at about 65 so i was betting it would get 15-17 in real milage........ps we are buying it just waiting for the loan app. to go through

 

a few things to check on them, the front ball joints and a arms have had some probs so make sure the recall work has been done for that issue. the fuel millage around town in the Ex's 01 5.9 was terrible she averaged 14 mpg with half highway half city. And they dont like to tow that much. Nice trucks but its a larger Vehicle built onto a Dakota frames is all so keep that in mind. Also keep an eye one the tire wear they like to eat tires if you dont keep em rotated.

 

We had one for a while. It was a monster, but ate gas like it was its job. I think our fuel mileage averaged out to about 12 or so mpg. There were never any problems to speak of so good luck with it!

 

My mother drove a 2001 that we repaired for almost 2 years. It had the 4.7 v8, 4x4. I think she averaged about 15 MPG 75% city and 25% interstate.

The thing rode and drove great, and never gave any problems. very comfortable for long trips or just riding to town.

 

My wife has a 2000 Durango SLT+ 5.9L with 51K miles on it. The only time it has left her stranded was when the in-tank fuel pump failed - covered under warranty. It's had the ball joint recall done on it, but otherwise just routine service - Mobil 1 since new. She won't even consider selling/trading it for a new vehicle.

Rusty

 

We have a 99' Durango, 5.9, 4x4, etc. it will pull down 16mpg on a road trip and 13 in town. It has 110k on it, I replaced upper ball joints, and inner tie rod ends,intake gaskets (under warranty), serviced tranny twice, and changed oil every3k. that is it. I'm about a couple months shy of it being mine, and I plan on keeping it for a long time.

Jed

 

thanks for the help guys but now shes looking at an '01 4.7. she just cant make up her mind shes always afraid of missing a better deal but i tell her that will always be the case

 

Don't know much about the 4.7s, but the 5.9s pass everything but the gas station. Also, the plenum gasket(aka belly pan gasket, its a form of intake gasket that seals the big intake to the block) are known to go bad in the 5.9s. I loved the 360 in my 97 1500, like mentioned above, the fuel pump went bad on it, besides that and the plenum gasket, nothing major than regular maintenance items.

 

I second the plenum gasket, do a google search on durango, and dakota, ram you'll find lots of stuff. My brother in law lost his v-8 ram motor.

It sucked the oil thru the intake burning it all down the exhaust was literally dripping out the pipe, ran fine, never saw it coming, I got to pick the truck up with my trailer and haul it. Fun Fun. Sure gave him a hard time about getting a Cummins though LOL

A lady here at work with a Durango got her plenum fixed just this year, one day she said theres no oil on the dipstick, add 2 qts, its fine, then after a week no oil. I told her abour my brother in law. They replaced the revised gasket, all its good now.

 

I only have experience with one 4.7 but I would not hesistate to buy one today. Never had any problems with the little v8, and it pulled a 21' triton bass boat pretty good.

 

We had a 2000 with the 4.7. I would tell you that if it has 31x10.50's on it, that is a little too much tire for the 4.7. I switched it out to 235 15's and it ran much better.

Everyone I've talked to said that it didn't matter 4.7 or 5.9 they are about the same on mileage. We got between 14 and 16 depending on where we drove. Ended up getting a F-150 supercrew for my wife. Much bigger and same mileage.

 

Ones I have driven have seemed nice, and a close friend of mine purchased a '99 new. Seems he also has had few real problems, just have to be ready to fill it up quite frequently. Then again, these things used are quite cheap these days, I have noticed '00's and '01's 4wd with around 70 - 80k on them for around $8k or less.

 

well she made up her mind (thank God) and we know own a '98 durango with a 5.2L in it its a nice rig and i'll try and post pics later. it was a way better deal then the '01 and i feel its in better shape and runs better.

 

They still have a problem with the 5.2(318)'s plenum gasket also. If it starts using oil, blowing oil smoke, etc, get it checked out right away. The way I realized mine was gone was one day I slammed on brakes, and my oil pressure dropped to zero and killed the motor

Hope she enjoys it

 

I had a 99 with the 360.. and my neighbor has a 2000 with the 318..

Only problems I had with my 99 was the constant replacement of the power window motors.. Also when I sold it the heater core had started to leak but I think that became a problem because the heater door stuck in the heat position so when the AC was on it had condensation on the heater core.

My cousin works for a dodge dealer and said the sticking/broken heater door is a known problem and it leads to the heater core corroding and leaking..

You will know the heater door is stuck when you turn on the AC and it doesn't blow cold air after the truck warms up but the Rear air still blows cold...