Should I Trade '01 for '03??

I have a 2001 D, 4.7, 4WD with 80,000 miles and all is in good running order.

I'm thinking of trading up to an '02 or '03 with lower mileage. Doing a little research, it appears the only major upgrade was 4 wheel disc brakes in '03. Any other advantages of an '02 or '03 over my current D?

Is the 5.9 as smooth and quiet as the 4.7? I really like this engine but would go for the additional towing capacity as long as I don't have to give up the smooth idle and shifting.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

The 2003 4.7 came "factory equpped" with the HO intake manifold as well as the 4 wheel discs brakes you mentioned with much larger discs.
The 5.9 is a great motor as well, but not as technologically advanced as the 4.7. For towing, there's no replacement for the 5.9L torque monster in a Gen 1 D.
Steve
DOC Pres

Do you tow a lot? If so, I'd go one further, try an '04 with the Hemi.

If I had to do it again, I'd opt for a 4.7L myself.

I currently tow a boat, about 3,800 lbs. with trailer. I'm contemplating buying a larger boat, would max out the 4.7 at 5,500 lbs. with trailer and gear. Most towing is short distance, 30-40 miles, but occasionally I go 180 miles.

I don't like the looks of the new D's so I want to stay with the older style, '03 newest. I really like my 4.7, its only the 5,500 lb. tow that starts me thinking about the 5.9.

Does the HO intake manifold make a noticable difference?

Have you seen the new 07 D's? They look a bit better than the 06's as they changed the nose again.
I don't know if just the intake will give you that much HP, but occassionally towing that amount won't be a problem.
Make sure you find one with the heavy duty and tow group, they're 2 different pkgs.

Steve
DOC Pres

A Gen1 '03 with the 5.9L is the perfect D. It represents the latest tech advances on the Gen1 platform with the best and biggest motor available for it.

The 360ci/5.9L is a real trooper and has been around forever. If you have the option of the 5.9, for the availability of aftermarket items, the extra power, etc, take it.

There's no substitute for ci's. No questions about it.

IndyD

From what I recollect:

- factory trailer hitch & harness
- larger mirrors
- oil cooler
- transmission cooler
- bigger battery
- different gearing

Here's my build sheet. If I don't have the tow and heavy duty groups, what's my current tow rating?

According to our records, your vehicle was equipped from the factory with the following:

VIN: 1B4HS28N8-1F555136 Desc: 2001
Dodge Durango 4x4 Sport Utility 4-Dr<ul><table rows=3><tr><td><tt> *P9 - Cloth 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
 -T5 - Sandstone
 AA8 - SLT Value Group
ADAS - Light Group
AGWP - Tire, Wheel and Wheelflare Group
AJKS - Convenience Group
APAS - Monotone Paint
ASPP - SLT Decor Group
A29P - 4.7L Engine(EVA)/4Spd A/T 45RFE(DG4)
BAZS - 136 Amp Alternator
BCES - 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BCSS - Run Down Protection Battery
BGJS - Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
BKAS - 11x2 Rear Drum Brakes
CBEP - 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
CBPP - Cloth Door Trim Panel w/Map Pocket
CFMP - Rear Folding Seat
CFPP - 3rd Row Seat
 GWS - Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CJTS - Seat Track Cover
CKAS - Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area
CKTS - Cargo Tie Down Loops
CLEP - Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSRS - Passenger Assist Handles
CSWS - Driver Assist Handle
CURS - Rear Compartment Storage Tray
DGBS - All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
 DG4 - Multi-Speed Auto 45RFE Transmission
DHAP - Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHTS - Elec,Shift-on-the-Fly,P/Time T/Case
DJDS - 205MM Front Axle\
DMDS - 3.55 Axle Ratio
DRBP - Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle
EAAC - All Engines
 EVA - 4.7L V8 MPI Engine
GBBS - Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS - Front Door Tinted Glass
GEGS - Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GFAS - Rear Window Defroster
GNAS - Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNES - Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
GURS - Power Mirrors
GVBC - All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXRS - Keyless Entry
HADS - Air Cond'ing w/Dual Zone Temp Cntrl
HBBP - Rear Air Conditioning w/Heater
HGAS - Hood Insulation
I60S - Route 60 - CSX, Westboro, MA
JAAS - Instrument Panel
JAYS - Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JBFS - Instrument Panel Black Bezel
JCBS - 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS - Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHDS - Rear Var Intermittent Wiper/Washer
JJAS - Cigar Lighter
JJBS - Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJP - 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JJMS - Rear Power Outlet
JPBS - Power Locks
JPDS - Power Windows, Driver One-Touch
JPVP - Power 8-Way Driver Seat
K2HP - Stripe/Badge/Molding/Color
K5HP - Stripe/Badge/Molding/Color
LACS - Illuminated Entry
LAFS - Key in Ign/Seat Belt Warning Buzzer
LAJS - Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LALS - Low Washer Fluid Warning Signal
LAMS - Door Ajar Warning Lamp</tt></td><td width=30> </td><td><tt>LANS - Decklid/Liftgate Ajar Warning Lamp
LBCP - Glove Box Lamp
LBDP - Ash Tray Lamp
LCAS - Front Courtesy/Map Lamps
LCDP - Map/Dome Reading Lamps
LDGS - Liftgate Flood Lamps
LMBS - Halogen Headlamps
LNJP - Fog Lamps
LPSS - CHMSL Lamp
MBQP - Body Color Rear Bumper w/Step Pads
MDAP - Front License Plate Bracket
MFDP - Bright Grille
MGAS - Ram's Head Badge
MHAS - Black Windshield Moldings
 LHP - Body Color Front Fascia
MURP - Dodge Badge
MUSP - 4X4 Badge
MUZP - SLT Badge
MWGP - Roof Rack
MWHS - Rear Wheelhouse Liners
MZJP - Durango Bright Badge
 NAA - Federal Emissions
NBKS - EVAP Control System
NF4S - 25 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHCS - Oil Level Sensor
NHMP - Speed Control
 PG8 - Forest Green Pearl Coat
QG8S - Forest Green Pearl Coat
RAAC - All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RAZP - AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio
 RCT - 8 Infinity Speakers
RDDP - Fixed Long Mast Antenna
RDZP - Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls
SBAS - Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCGP - Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDBS - Heavy Duty Suspension
SFBS - Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGBS - Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SHAS - Front Stabilizer Bar
SHCS - Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars
SUAP - Tilt Steering Column
TBBS - Full Size Spare Tire
TBMS - Tire Carrier Winch
TXVP - P265/70R16 OWL All Terrain Tires
TZAP - Goodyear Brand Tires
WD1P - 16X8.0 Cast Aluminum Wheels
WKBP - Matching Spare Wheel
WLZC - All Aluminum Wheels
XDXS - Scissor Type Jack
YAAS - Build To US Market Specifications
YGFA - 8 Additional Gallons of Gas
ZARP - Spring - Left Rear
ZBAP - Spring - Left Front
ZNRP - Spring - Right Rear
ZPAP - Spring - Right Front
Z5AS - GVW/Payload Rating
00KA - 40726-105 Mga 00K
1AAS - U.S. Dealer Retail
131S - Zone 31-Boston
2TGA - Customer Preferred Package 2TG
 26G - Customer Preferred Package 26G
3VTA - Customer Preferred Discount
39EA - SLT Value Group Discount
39GA - Infinity Speakers Credit Tracking
594S - Vehicle Order Tracking
6USS - Label - U.S. Specifications
630S - New Hampshire State Code
930S - New Hampshire State Code</tt></td></tr></table>[/list]