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Thinking about getting a D?

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17K views 37 replies 18 participants last post by  FSTDANGO3  
V
#1 ·
Hi. I've been thinking about getting a new vehicle and a Gen 1 Durango's on my short list but I have a few questions though.

Is there a rear disc conversion for the earlier years? I know the '03s came with 4wheel disc, but for the earlier years can you just swap it in?

How does the 4.7 compare to the 5.9? On paper, they look pretty close, but I'm sure the power comes on differently. Does the 5.9 have more of it's power down low?

I heard there was an oil/sludge problem with the 4.7s. Does this apply to the other engines? Someone said it was due to a low pressure oil pump? Is there an easy fix for this (new pump)?

What are some common problems with Ds? I've never owned anything except for import sports cars, so this is a bit of a jump for me. I'm tired of not having any ground clearance anymore :p

Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
The rear disc can be added but if you can get an 03 it'll be less expensive in the long run as the rear disc that are added aren't a direct bolt on. Unless you go for a complete big brake kit which I believe starts at $3500 and up.

The 5.9 is a torque monster It's a very strong motor and is great if you're going to do a lot of towing. The 4.7 has no sludge problems, unless of course you refuse to change your oil. All cars will fail without maintenance.

As for power, the 4.7 in a Gen1 D is a nice fit. It's very peppy and will deliver decent highway gas mileage. With a few mods the 4.7 is an incredible motor. It likes to rev, so if you find a 4.7 D hopefully it'll have the 3.92 gears as well. While there's only 5-10 hp difference between the 5.9 and the 4.7, there's a difference in torque. The 4.7 is a bit more modern design while the 5.9 is a proven reliable workhorse. Either way it depends on your use of the D.

Welcome to the site.
Steve
DOC Pres

PS A guy named "IndyDurango" will chime in and tell you the 5.9 is the greatest? namely his 5.9. While he's correct that he does have a quick D, he's just slightly biased!
lol
 
#3 ·
FSTDANGO3 said:
Unless you go for a complete big brake kit which I believe starts at $3500 and up.
Click to expand...
Actually the "rear" drum-to-disc conversion part of Stillen's Big Brake upgrade is available as a separate kit. Stillen part # is 20RD1000 and I believe it goes for around $1100 :? (doesn't show up on their web-site but is listed in the last catalog I got, but without a price.)
 
Q
#4 ·
Speaking of biased? I love my 4.7L. I have a bone stock 'rango and haven't had any problems yet. But, truth be told, I've spent some money making sure the maintenance was up to date but no mechanical defects or repairs to date (knock on wood.) From what I've read on the site the 4.7 & 5.9 are both very reliable motors with good transmissions when properly serviced.

You've found an invaluable resource in the DOC for information. Just search the archives and I'm sure you'll find a lot of good information on these trucks.

It's probably worth mentioning that the 4.7L ('01-'03) has a "coil over plug design" that doesn't require cap, rotor, or plug wires and the 45RFE tranny doesn't require any adjustments. As mentioned, a 4.7L with the 3.92 gears would provide a virtually maintenance free reliable hauler
 
#5 ·
That's another great feature.
I'm sure in due time there'll be modded versions or other parts available for the 4.7 to make them real strong.
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#6 ·
I've owned both a 5.9L ('99) and 4.7L ('03) and, for my kind of driving, I prefer the 4.7L?

The '03 brakes are worth getting. Dual-piston discs up front and single-piston discs in the rear.

The alleged "sludge problem" with the 4.7L was a yucky deposit under the oil cap caused by condensation. Because the PCV valve is in the oil filler, crankcase vapors get drawn up into the filler where they condense. Completely harmless though and the later 4.7's have a baffle over the PCV valve to reduce this cosmetic problem (and make it harder to pour in oil but the baffle pops out easily when it's oil change time.)
 
H
#7 ·
I guess I'll be the first to respond for the 5.9 group. I have a 99 D with the 5.9 and I love it!! I've owned my D for 2 years and had virtualy no problem with it. At 115800 miles the engine and tranny are still going strong. I'm not afraid to get in it and go anywhere.
 
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#8 ·
Falling in the same mindset as HiTech, I have the 5.9 Gen 1 and she's a work horse and I've never had any major problems with the engine. Keep up with the service and she'll go a long ways. I'm coming up on 130K, got her with 30K back in early 2001, and major work was the tranny and front and rear diff's. Other than that, she'll be with us untill the wheels fall off. If the engine dies, we'll get her fixed? that's a given for us. Wifey loves her too. I'll be getting rid of my truck before the D.
 
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M
#9 ·
I own a completely stock 5.9 in my 99. I love it to death. Other than the bad MPG, it's just plain reliable. Torque is what I like and it has plenty of it! If you're looking for a dependable D, you can't go wrong with either of them. If you want to tow big stuff, the 5.9 will do it. I've pulled a big ole car trailer with an old AMC Pacer on it with no problems (other than my wife bitchin that I was going to break something. LOL)

The only 4.7 I've any real experience with was in a Grand Cherokee. It seemed alright, but it was in a Jeep so I lost interest real quickly! LOL
 
M
#10 ·
I'd go for an 03' D with 3.92 gears. Rear disc brakes would be nice.
 
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V
#11 ·
Holy crap, I sleep for 8 hours and there's 10 replies! You guys don't sleep lol

I'd love to get an '03, but I think they're out of my budget a bit. In Canada, they start at 15k and go up to 23k. That's definitely a little more than I'm willing to spend. Must be that DVD player that's upping the cost :?

Oh, I had a question about the AWD system. I know that in the part time 4WD system, it's normally in RWD, with an option to shift into 4WD in crappy weather. But with the fulltime system, is it normally in RWD with the option to shift into 4wd whenever, or is it always in AWD with the option to shift into low-range or something? I realize the name "fulltime" is kind of a tipoff, but I just want to make sure.
 
#13 ·
In the early years ('98, '99, '00 I believe), the FT4WD had 2WD (rear wheel) capability. After that it was AWD , 4Lock, and 4Low only (some late/low-end models may not have low range capability either.)

Continuing the 5.9/4.7 discussion, I've got the 5.9 and it's been trouble-free. Change the oil/filter every 3000 miles, change the plugs every 15000 (I use the Autolite 3923's - about the cheapest you can get), and do tranny/diff/xfer case service every 15000 because it was used extensively for towing it's first 60,000 miles. The 4.7 is also a very good engine, but if you're going to be doing any towing at all, look into a 5.9/3.92 combo. You won't be sorry.

Joe
 
V
#14 ·
Oh sweet, that's good news about the 4wd system. I know AWD is awesome, my friend's got a typhoon, but I also love my RWD fun :D It looks like if I get one, it'd be an earlier model one anyways.

I read somewhere that the 0-60 time on these things was 8.7 seconds? I think that was with the 5.2, and I'm not sure about the gearing, but that's pretty anemic. Tell me they got that wrong! I don't think I'll be doing any towing, but the pep from the 3.92/5.9 has got to be worth it.

Thanks for the info guys, this stuff is awesome.
 
#16 ·
- 2000 D SLT+
- Full Time 4x4 = 4Hi, 4 Lo and 4? no two wheel option.
- 12MPG in 4-wheel drive so respectable
- Jet fast, Old Faithful Reliable, Like a Rock strong
- Drives like a car when I want it to, a Jeep when I need it to, a hauler when called upon and a racer when tempted
- Zero problems, standard maintanence
- 166,000+ miles and counting
- Bought new, sole owner
- 2003 brakes would be nice, but what everyone else has gets the job done too
- Factory Freak
- An A+ vehicle

IndyDurango

(Oh yea, BTW, I have the 5.9L :cheesy: )
 

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M
#18 ·
IndyDurango said:
- Jet fast, Old Faithful Reliable, Like a Rock strong
- Drives like? a racer when tempted
- Factory Freak

IndyDurango

(Oh yea, BTW, I have the 5.9L :cheesy: )
Click to expand...
As you can see Veovius, all of us are quite passionate about our D's - some more than others (And some are in love with their D's --- IndyDurango? :mrgreen: )

To lower the D isn't too terrible pricey. There are many threads on this site in regards to lowering D's. Use the "Search" function on the menu bar at the top of the page to find them.

In terms of handling, it does just fine for a truck. I wouldn't plan on lowering and then going out to do some "drifting." Even lowered, it still weighs in around 4,600 pounds.

I find that even with my 4.7 with 3.55's, I can beat most other vehicles off the line. It has plenty of power for fun. Whatever year/options you end up with, you can always make changes to increase the "fun factor." The list of aftermarket performance parts for the 4.7 and 5.9 is quite extensive. You can also change out the gearing from 3.55's to 4.11's like FASTDANGO3 did. (Then it'll be quick enough to get out of its own way. :mrgreen:)
 
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#19 ·
What he said!
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#20 ·
Veovius said:
Oh, I had a question about the AWD system. I know that in the part time 4WD system, it's normally in RWD, with an option to shift into 4WD in crappy weather. But with the fulltime system, is it normally in RWD with the option to shift into 4wd whenever, or is it always in AWD with the option to shift into low-range or something? I realize the name "fulltime" is kind of a tipoff, but I just want to make sure.
Click to expand...
As Joe indicated, 98-00 SLT (00 R/T was AWD) had optional Full Time 4x4. The gear selections were 2wd/4 FT/4 HI (same as part time)/4 LO. In FT 4x4 the center differential is open allowing the front and rear axles to operate at different speeds. The FT indicates that the 4x4 can be operated all the time (all road conditions.) Full time doesn't shift the power. Both axles are being driven. You have the option of manually shifting to 2wd, 4HI and 4LO. In 4HI/4LO the differential is locked and can only be used on loose surfaces, the same as PT. There's no advantage to 2wd. Myself and others have found no difference in mileage plus 4FT offers a safety factor. Mine has been left in FT for 99% of the time.

01-01 FT was dropped and AWD was offered as an option. AWD is more or less an automotive terminology where a 2wd mode isn't avalable. (though this is also called "full time" on other cars.) Also this AWD isn't an indication of how the system works. This system is very basic. More sophisticated system shift where the power is applied. The FT mode above acts exactly the same as the AWD.
 
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#22 ·
Veovius said:
Oh, speaking of gears, that's what I wanted to ask. How do you tell which gear set is which? Is there a label or something on the diff?
Click to expand...
Look inside the glove compartment. There'll be a sticker inside with some "critical" items listed - gearing should be there. It'll either be 3.55 or 3.92.
or
Of you're working with a dealer, have him/her get you a print-out of the "build sheet" for that particular VIN. It'll list everything that was used to put the D together (both standard and optional.)

Joe
 
Q
#23 ·
What's the advantage with the taller gear say 3.92 to 4.11. Besides the obvious better highway gas mileage and better towing. Might also want to make mention of the # of forward gears. I think I have the 4sp tranny but wasn't there a 5 speed option out there?
 
#24 ·
I believe you have the 545RFE transmission, which is a kind of 5-1/2 speed transmission (I know the '03 4.7L's have the 545, but I forget when it showed up.)

I say "5-1/2 speed" because it has five forward ratios (3.00, 1.67, 1.00, 0.75, 0.67), but it also has an extra "second gear" (1.50) used in kickdown ("passing-gear") situations.

A numerically-higher axle ratio means the engine turns faster and you get more 'push' (torque) but lose top end and (generally) gas mileage. I've always considered "taller" gears to be lower-numerically, but I'm not sure what the correct usage is. I think taller -> 'longer legs' -> longer distance per stride? which is essentially what a lower-numerically ratio does.
 
#26 ·
Tom, in the D the 545RFE showed up late in 2002. It's definitely like a 5.5 speed. Keep in mind that, yes the D got better gas mileage when I had 3:55s but, as Tom stated, now with the 4.11 it runs in a better RPM range for torque. I'm happy with the gears and even with the taller tires it runs higher RPMS
The 4.7 loves to rev!
Steve
DOC Pres
 
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