New Spectra radiator $91, Hayden Heavy Duty Fan Cluth $33, Spectra Radiator fan $63 (all from rock)

Had to buy an adapter at Kragen for the top part of the radiator trans cooler (could be wrong on the name)

Wanted to replace all the heater hoses and connections. Went to the dealership as I couldn't find the part at any part store. They wanted too much (over $100 for two). The fix was murray 84757 Y-pipe connectors. Thank you internet.

Seriously battled this thermostat / housing / manifold for days. I was tired and frustrated. Overlooked so many small details. If I would have taken my time I would not have missed that the t-stat housing was over tightened / heli-coiled and not flush. Ended up tapping the bolt holes, replacing the housing and using gasket maker. No leaks from here (4-5 times later)

Tensioner arm, Tension pulley and Aux pulley all replaced

Hate the damn slides on the alternator bracket

The hardest part of the entire heater hose process was the passenger side firewall. There's virtually no room. I cut myself pretty bad trying to replace these. Got it done though.

Replacing Power Steering lines/Power Steering Pump and Pulley. Also cleaned the bracket.

New overflow in. Really thought I was done at this point.

Fluids were replaced. Leaks popped up. Disassembled and reassembled different pieces when leaks popped up. Filled again, do it again and you get the idea. Finally got to the point of burping the system (as best I could from what I read on here). I have a bluetooth enabled scantool that I bought online that is capable of a lot of things. One of the reasons I bought it was to read the ABS codes. Which looks like it's the ABS unit. This tool has a lot of options and so I ran some test as the truck was slightly shaking and of course my heart sank at this point.

Took awhile to google everything and read the forums here a lot. It ended up being two fold. One of the wires I got wrong to the distributor. Seriously no matter how many times you've checked the firing order... check it again. The second problem is my dad was helping me and tightened the harmonic balancer to 150ft lbs. Neither issue threw a code. Had to chance this for awhile. Went down and rented a torque wrench capable of tightening the bolt to spec. Wish I had a picture of how I held the harmonic balancer in place but I do not.

I removed the fan shroud and overflow tank. Removed the fan clutch. Slipped a Ratchet strap through the harmonic balancer and the frame. Tightened the strap down and held onto the strap with my left hand as tight as I could with it wrapped around my hand which using my shoulder and right arm to push the torque wrench. Was a PITA. I don't own power tools. I watched some youtube videos that suggested putting some rope in the spark plug hole and yea I'm not comfortable with all of that. I am not a mechanic but it seemed like a recipe for disaster. Everything I did was based off TDC according to both the manual and tons of threads I read on here.

And where she currently sits.

I still need to fix the ABS issue, need to change the tranny fluid/filter(s), plan on doing rear differential fluid. Needs a new battery and other stuff. I eventually want to put the middle console in this truck as it's has the stupid Fold down seat in the front. It will all come eventually. I really wish this truck was a 4x4 but at the same time... probably best right now if it isn't. Truck has been a nightmare but honestly it's a truck I love and hate.

I do not have tons of money and this wasn't all done in a single weekend. The truck was down from November 2017 until Feb 2nd 2018. 80 days. Took that long to get the money and get everything else situated.

There were a lot of moments I wanted to give up. Lot of throwing tools, cursing, and redoing the same damn thing. But I made it.

When I do more work I'll be putting it here in this thread.

 

Great Write-up!! Good Luck with everything you have done. I had to take my harmonic balancer off also to replace everything you did. I forgot what I did to get the balancer to lock so I could torque it down. But overall looks like you should be good to go.

 

Thanks. It was a nightmare trying to chase everything. Thankfully I have a little experience with the same motor because of working on Dodge Rams but they are a little different with the Durango. Was a blast. Still have a lot more to do.

Truck is running much better and so far no overheating at all which is a plus. The interior engine noise has been cut way down as well.

 

When I was a young man I used to jump right into the "rabbit hole" of auto repair, but now I keep it very basic and use an auto repair shop that I have known the owner for over 30 years and fully trust. I give you big credit for doing everything you have done and I'm tired and sore just thinking about all you have done.

The first 2003 SXT I bought was for my eldest daughter that was in college in 2008 and needed a vehicle. She drove it through college and a few years after until she got a newer car. I held on to it and about two years ago gave it to my other daughter who had just got her license and a short number of months later totaled it. It held up so well I searched and searched until I bought the 2003 SLT Plus that she is driving today.

The long winded point I'm trying to make is the older Durango makes a great vehicle and with all the care you have taken to get yours to the current state will be a great investment!

 

Your write-up is inspiring! My 2004 5.7 Limited has no major problems (except body rust), but your efforts make me feel encouraged to go ahead with replacing my rusted doors, rocker panels, and rear quarter panel rust. I got my D about a 18 months ago, and it has 180,000 on it. Next project until warm weather: new tires and after-market tire pressure monitors (since the 2004 didn't come equipped with the TPM system).

Good luk with the rest of your project!

 

Impressive man, nice job.

 

Thanks guys. Figured I'd post the write up mainly because I felt that I needed to get something out of all the work. If I can help or prevent someone from going through similar problems in the future... that's all that matters.

Indigo, it's funny you mention adding the TPMS system because that is actually one of the items that is on the list of must have improvements for the truck that I have. I'm surprised that there are still cars sold here that do not have a digital readout of the pressure. I'll be starting on some more work here shortly in the next couple of weeks.

 

Installed new Hatch liftgate supports. Started before it decided to hail on me. Was in a mad dash to get them installed so I do not have before and after pictures.

The new gas powered struts are from Lift Supports Depot, Strongarm which is owned by AVM (the brand being replaced). They have them for $37.90 with Limited Lifetime Warranty on Amazon.

Funny how the liftgate hitting you in the head once is enough to make you change the supports.

 

Nice job! Making me want to post my build now lol

 

Wife and I were involved in a hit and run accident at the end of January. The driver that hit us had his license suspended, no car insurance, no plates and decided to run. We caught up with him and the police impounded his car. There was minor (hardly any) damage to my wife's car. We didn't know that based on how the impact felt and we never had a chance to inspect the damage until after the police got the guy. After that we decided.... we needed the dash cams we had been talking about. Money was tight so we ended up getting two of these.
Mini 0906 Dual Channel Dash cams

I'll spare you the install photos but I am running the front one at the moment (rear is not hooked up)
This video is the first day using the cam.

 

Was that the rear brakes locking up???

Good thing you got on the horn and they then got out of the way...otherwise...yikes!

 

Yea the back brakes locked uo. The ABS is out. I’ve had it rebuilt and bled but need a new unit. Money is tight and have been trying to get it fixed. Typically I have no problem stopping. I should have anticipated her pulling into my lane better but she was looking right at me and then went.

Normally I would have been cursing up a storm but honestly didn’t think I was going to avoid her, other side, left side is a school and all I could think of is if I lose control I’m either killing my kid or someone else’s.

Dodge built a damn good suv though. Never been happier to have worked on the truck and had it do what I wanted. It wasn’t perfect but she stopped and we’re good.

 

So give some feedback on the camera setup, quality looked good.
Pros/Cons.
Is the price fair at $130?

 

At $130 I'd say it's the best price dual channel set up you are going to find. I bought 2. One for the durango and one for my wife's car. The rear camera does not work as well as I would like but I do have tinted windows. It does not come with a memory card but those are cheap enough. I have the camera mounted right behind the rear-view mirror. Have the wire tucked in the headliner, and down the pillar and under the dash. It's powered by a cigarette lighter adapter.

Here's specifically what I bought and what I paid.

Veckle Mini 0906 Dual Channel 1080p Cameras with CPL filter (glare reduction). $139
Only 2 complaints is rear camera with tint is not as great as I'd like. Complaint 2 the adhesive for the mount sucks. Soon as it heats up it will disconnect from the windshield. I will be gluing the mount to the windshield (like the rear view mirror). Quality of front camera is great for the price. There are better cameras out there but you're going to pay a lot for that quality. I wanted something affordable and now. There is a little remote with the camera as well that will take pictures while driving which is nice.

Veckle Parking guard hardwire kit for parking mode $12
Have not installed this and I may never add this option. Got it just in case.

Samsung 64GB 100MB/S MicroSDXC EVO memory card with adapter. Class 10. $20
I believe the cameras support up to 128gb but I wanted a good reliable card at a good price.

I like that the camera is detachable from the mount. It gets hot as hell here in Southern Cali and during the summer I am going to want to disconnect it while not in use. The camera slides into the mount (the mount is held by adhesive).

All in all I paid $171 for each set up. By far still cheaper than some of the options I was looking at. One of the best rated cameras I could find was the Thinkware F800 Pro Dash Cam. For a similar set up to what I am running it would have been $480 for each. I may eventually upgrade but honestly. This camera is good enough for now. For the price I think it's very affordable and would recommend it. (I'm not being paid in anyway to recommend the camera).

When I get a chance I'll upload some pictures.

 

Here is how the Camera is mounted. ( I have not mounted the rear-camera in the durango yet)

Cigarette lighter adapter. Like that there is a usb port in the back so that you can still charge your phone

Wires tucked into headliner and down the pillar

Picture of the mount that powers the camera. I have the camera out of the mount to show how it's mounted. The rear camera plugs into the front camera and not the mount.

Left side of camera is what slides into the mount. Middle connector to the right of USB is where the rear camera plugs into.

Front of Camera. Showing the CPL filter installed to reduce glare

The camera records gps as well as speed. The included software (free version, you have to download separately) lads a lot to be desired. It crashes a lot.

I really don't care about the speed function other than just having it in case I need it. The above picture shows the driver entering into my lane while I'm going 33 MPH in a 35 MPH zone.

I have Sony Vegas and that's what I used to cut the video posted above. The camera is still new and I'm still learning all the features and how to use them. Hope this answered your questions.

 

Yes, excellent. Thank You.
I'm looking for low cost camera...not paying $500 that's for sure, that's why I was looking at the one you posted.
Seems a fair price and the quality was quite good IMO.

 

Changed The Transmission Fluid and the Filter this weekend. Took tons of fluid.

While cleaning (transferring fluid to empty containers) I got this shot. I like it.

Clouds reflected in the Transmission Fluid.

Made a bit of a mess but nothing that can't be taken care of.

Tried to clean the transmission pan as best as I could. Lost a lot of fluid because the Wix Filter kit has this idiotically packed gasket that would not seal properly so I ended up using a Dodge reusable gasket instead.

Another shot of the fluid change. Picture is just a test fitment of the filter.

While I was down there I figured out where I was loosing oil from. It was at the drain pan bolt. Will be handling that tonight.

Still have so many more things to do just to get it back to "stock".

 

Dang, and you're in SoCal? I could have saved you a lot of trouble! http://www.dodgedurango.net/forums/durango-discussions-1998-03/66402-sell-part-out.html

I'm shocked that a durango in that condition can still get $1200. That's all I was figuring getting I'd get on my 01 RT, (according to kbb).

 

Yea I saw your durango up but had already gone glove deep in mine. Least I’m learning something in the process. A whole lot of learning to be honest.

When I got the Durango I was between a rock and a hard place. Had very little money and had to have a vehicle in a short period of time.

If nothing else. Others can learn from my misfortune.

 

Nothing much has happened with the D as of late. Been working too much.

Attempted to fix the flashing ABS with an Ebay model but it came damaged.

Blew a Oil cooler line and fixed that. Had one tire replaced because of wearing unevenly. Still struggling to find parts for 2wd driver side. The Axle nut is frozen in place.

Replaced the windshield fluid pumps as they stopped working but other than that I haven’t done too much work on the D and have been using it to tow for work which has been great.