[claude9039u]

I am looking to buy a used Durango and I know the newer the truck the better is not always the case. So I am going to the guys that own it!

Questions:

What year or years are the best years for the Durango, I hear 03?

What motor is the best?
4.7 I hear high miles big problems with the overhead cam??
5.2 no issues.
5.9 Great but burns gas.

SLT, SLT Plus or R/T?

I am looking at the following trucks
03 SLT Plus 97,000 miles for 5,600 Private owner great truck!! Local to me.
03 SLT Plus 88,000 miles for 5,300 out the doors taxes, tags and warranty 90 days 4000 miles from a Dodge dealer. Local to me.
02 R/T 110,000 miles for 5,600 Joe blow dealer 1 month 1000mile warranty. 2 hr. drive from me.

Thanks!

 

[Durangutan]

I am looking to buy a used Durango and I know the newer the truck the better is not always the case. So I am going to the guys that own it!

Questions:

What year or years are the best years for the Durango, I hear 03?

What motor is the best?
4.7 I hear high miles big problems with the overhead cam??
5.2 no issues.
5.9 Great but burns gas.

SLT, SLT Plus or R/T?

I am looking at the following trucks
03 SLT Plus 97,000 miles for 5,600 Private owner great truck!! Local to me.
03 SLT Plus 88,000 miles for 5,300 out the doors taxes, tags and warranty 90 days 4000 miles from a Dodge dealer. Local to me.
02 R/T 110,000 miles for 5,600 Joe blow dealer 1 month 1000mile warranty. 2 hr. drive from me.

Thanks!

5.2 and 5.9 are similar in their longevity and fuel consumption desires. Given the choice I'd take a 360 just 'cuz it's bigger and the 318 isn't much more efficient, really. Both are very stable engines and will run forever with regular care and feeding. I had many years of faithful service from my 98 5.2 and it never suffered any catastrophic failures. Traded it in with 140k on the clock and I would still be driving it today if it had AC and didn't rust apart (rust belt victim). I never once had qualms about going anywhere with it at any time. Also the 4.7 doesn't have any big failure record so that's a stable engine as well, as far as I've ever heard.

As for the particular listings, the 03 is considered to be the best of the gen 1 series. I think it had rear disc brakes, and a few more advances the previous models lacked. But my only experience with the gen 1 was my 98 so the truly smart will have to chime in on that. Based on my experience, I would not hesitate to recommend one.

Did you look at the gen 2's or are you set on a gen 1? The gen 2's are not popular and you can get one for similar prices as what you listed if you look around. Also, I always carfax used cars. It's no guarantee of a certain gold nugget find, but it usually alerts you to any title issues or major repairs the seller may not disclaim.

 

[claude9039u]

Thanks don't really like the big box look of the Gen II lol. I feel the 03's might be the way to go? The issue is 5.9 or 4.7 and private vs. dealer.

I like knowing that I have a warranty were I can try and break the truck on the 4.7. And what I read on the 4.7 problems start at 100K and involve the heads, cam and the timing chain?

I feel I know 100% what I am getting on the 5.9 because I know a guy that knows a guy lol. But you never know? I read the 5.9 is a proven work horse without any issues until 200K.

As far as the 20 R/T I guess its just a AWD question at that point.

So I am guessing the question is $300 + taxes etc. so its really $700 more for either 5.9 and roll the dice or out the door for the $5,300 on the 4.7 dealer car with a warranty???

Not really sure which way to go on such good trucks.

 

[Durangutan]

So I am guessing the question is $300 + taxes etc. so its really $700 more for either 5.9 and roll the dice or out the door for the $5,300 on the 4.7 dealer car with a warranty???

That's a question you'll have to answer for yourself, Grasshopper.

 

[that_guy]

The 03 has much better brakes than the previous years, a 5 speed transmission (with the 4.7), sidecurtain airbags, and that fancy updated overhead console computer.

I like knowing that I have a warranty were I can try and break the truck on the 4.7. And what I read on the 4.7 problems start at 100K and involve the heads, cam and the timing chain?

I've never heard any of this before. Just remember you can't believe everything some idiot on the internet says.


......-some idiot on the internet

 

[claude9039u]

??? From another forum????

master tech
Multi-Section Moderator

Join Date: Apr 2007

Posts: 10,060


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Hi Guys

I started a social group just for the dodge techs, We write what we are finding in the dealership. Yes the jeep and dodge products are having problems with valve seats in the 3.7L, 4.7L and the 5.7 hemi motors. I have invited just some members into the group just to keep an eye on the members so they and myself are not breaking any rules. Those members also see what we go through as well. The 4.7 motor in case you did know, has a hollow camshaft. That means the cam lobe can rotate and cause a misfire, Timing chain guides are also a problem on the 4.7L, if you start to get to 100k. buy a chain kit. We also had this same problem with 2.6 motor back in the 1980's. The 5.9 engine also had its problems too. after 1995, dodge mil the heads to a point where you would have a misfire after 70k. You would be replacing the spark plugs, cap, rotor, and wires. Replacing the intake gaskets. I have post many times about this problem. I will not share what was writen back to me. The fix was replacing the cylinder heads, because you would get a hair line crack between the intake and exhaust valves. One more tip on the 4.7 or any engine that has a power steering pressure switch, And this has been proven by two dodge forum members, mean green and hydra. A power steering pressure switch leaking will move fluid thru the wire harness and cause the o2 sensors to fail and can also leak into the connect of the PCM. Before i get off my soap box, Here is a TSB on the transmission flash in question. As always and rustin knows me as well as hammer, If you have a qustion on engines or transmissions drop me a pm.

 

[that_guy]

That's news to me. Of all the people around here (and on dodgeforum too) with high mileage 4.7s I've never heard of anyone having to replace heads, valves, or camshafts after 100,000 miles.

 

[claude9039u]

Understand. I am looking to the 4.7 as a last result so at this stage the 5.9's are the issue 4X4 SLT PLUS vs. R/T all wheel drive and my min is pointing towards the SLP Plus because of all the additional options. Just trying to get the price lower into my budget.

 

[that_guy]

I'm pretty sure that the R/T has all of the options that SLT+ does.

 

[claude9039u]

R/T is one year older does not have 4x4 its AWD, KN CAI, 50mm TB, thunderform box w/8inch sub, front tinted windows to match factory tint, street scene grilles, clear front corners factory overhead dvd/tv, flares and tow package.

 

[that_guy]

As far as I know the R/Ts have both AWD and 4x4 modes. I'm used to the 98-00 trucks with the lever to operate the transfer case, but on the knob there should be AWD, 4WD lock, and 4WD low.

 

[tomk]

The 03 is worth it for the brakes. Double-piston disc up front and single piston in the rear, vs single-piston/drum in earlier models. I've owned both a 99 and an 03, and the brakes are like night and day.

...tom