Dodge Durango - History, Major Flaws, & Why It Got Cancelled (1998-2009) - FIRST 2 GENS
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- In this video we are looking at the Dodge Durango SUV! Sharing a body-on-frame platform with the Dodge Dakota pickup, the Durango lived through 12 model years and 2 generations, and it offered muscular styling, lots of interior space, and powerful V8 engines. However, during the second generation sales really slowed down and Dodge discontinued the model in 2009. Watch along for a full history of the first two generations of the Durango!
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SKIP AHEAD!
1st Gen History/Specs (1998-03): 00:50
2nd Gen History/Specs (2004-09): 05:05
Flaws and Reasons for Cancellation: 11:29
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#DodgeDurango #DurangoFlaws #DurangoCancelled - Auta a dopravní prostředky
The first gen Durango looked so much better than the second generation. Though I do like the look of the current Durango.
Yeah it definitely needed a more modern look by 2004 because I feel the first gen was too 90s looking, but man the 04-06 looked like ass
@@MarspeedCars Could you get a 1st gen with a 5.2 V8 like the dakota trucks of the same generation?
@@thsarethbreaks yes
@@thsarethbreaks 5.2 or 5.9 lol
@@thsarethbreaks and 2000- 4.7 and 5.9
I love my 2nd generation Durango
I watched this video because I love my 1999 Durango SLT 5.9L 4x4. I grew up with classic cars/Muscle Cars and never really liked any new cars until I saw the 1998 Durango SLT 4x4 which my step mom had bought. What impressed me with Durango was my Dad had a house in the sierras and there was 3 feet of snow up there he was a head of us in his 1973 Chevy truck which had a lift on it with big 4x4 wheels. He was fish tailing up the hill to our house and slipping. After he got to level ground we went up in the 98 Durango my step mom switched to 4x4 and the Durango went up with NO issues. It went up as if it were a dry warm day. Yes my dad had weight in the back he had a camper shell and his truck was loaded with luggage and boxes of wood and Christmas presents. So in 2001 I bought my 99 Durango and still have it today, in a 2006 Muscle Machine magazine they said the 1st generation Durango was so sexy and curvy like the muscle cars of the past that it had the looks and muscle to be a future muscle truck of the future. Seeing this video makes me proud to own my 1st NEW USED car I ever owned.
I have a 2001 Durango and I drive it everyday, it has the 4.7 and it’s still really fun to drive. Absolutely love my car, still going strong 19 years later
I have an '03 SLT+ for a daily driver, I've had it for 6 or 7 years now, still love it
The 1st gens are solid. My dad drove a 2001 Durango sport (with the 4.7. Not as good as the old 5.2, but not a bad engine) for 11 years. He'd still have it if not for the fact that it saw a fair amount of flooding in it's life.
4.7L, one of the most underrated V8's, ever.
Ppl that troll them either beat/neglected them mercilessly or never owned one and are Parrot Trolls.
@@gzuzsavz not really underrated good engine but they have there flaws
@@NathanKirby2001 the only real flaw..if it is one..is to never over heat one..you can melt a piston easier than say a 5.2 or 5.9L mag. but 5.9L performance & 3.9L mpg is not too tough to take.
1st gens look a lot better than second gens in my opinion.
@@GANZOP Infinitely better. The 1st Gen looked way more distinctive and truck-like
The first gen dakota and durango were always just so cool. I heard good things about the 5.2 and 5.9 motors
98-00 5.2L 5.9L because they were the best dodge magnum engines availible in that vehicle same engine block with different size bore, valves, heads, the 1generation was the best years with the best most reliable V8,s hands down which are no longer made after 2002!, they weren,t the best on city gas mileage mine is decent on highway 18mpg!, but maintain them right and they will run along time!...i have a 99 5.2L 318 mine runs awesome with 188,000miles still running strong since bought in early 99 with rust being the only issue starting now not bad for sitting outside all those years in michigan weather!, i will hate to sell it one day just like i did to my 91 polysphere 318 5.2L dakota with 302,000miles another good truck didn,t burn a drop of oil and i put it through hell racing it!, but it did need a new fuel line and trans needed to be rebuilt!...this coming from a Mopar fanantic mopar rules as always!...and i don,t agree with this video above on the mpg is not very accurate!, stock hp ratings are true!, and regular unleaded average in 99 0r 00 was about $2 a gallon in michigan!
5.2 and 5.9 Magnum's were two of the best motors for life and reliability in the last 30yrs they weren't power or torque crazy but last forever an take a hell of a beating 😁
Just not the 4.7s. The 4.7s are trash
@@jerodwolford2743 *blown head gaskets intensify*
Well I have a '99 5.2 and it has nearly 250,000 miles and still runs like a dream.
The first generation Durango was a true SUV and had an awesome design. The second gen was too plain looking and had drama on it. The second gen had more reliability issues than the first gen. I definitely see how rising gas prices and the demand for hybrids and smaller vehicles caused most of the problems with sales. I really like the current generation, which has the perfect combination of sportiness, luxury, muscle, and family vehicle.
I still see a lot of first generations vs second generations
The first and second gen were the better ones the new 3rd gen is a big car my 2nd gen has 35"s and plays in the mud as well as any jeep the new style is flat out incapable of any good offroad driving it's fast but so is the charger. We need the real SUV feel back the one that says I can drive up that Hill get that wood and take it back to the family camp then go get groceries and the kids the next day.. I'm hoping for good things with the new model coming
Michael Simko I agree
@@donaldliverance2597 The first gen is my favorite and has Jeep capabilities. The current gen is more of a family hauler and is heavier than the current gen Tahoe.
Few is she of u getting excited Davy mommy good I am interest in to to buy all I bet by TUC
Loved our 99’ Dodge Durango R/T. Had 309,000 miles when it was totaled. Extremely reliable, was still on the original engine, and the transmission had been rebuilt once.
rt was not an option for 99
The new Durango looks dope
Yeah I’m a huge fan of the newer ones any of them really from 2011 now. They just look awesome 😎
They look like big chargers
Marspeed i agree
Got SRT in black and it’s sick
that second gen was hideous....no wonder they restyled it so fast lol.
Yeah it was pathetic, as I said in the video it looked sad, pouty, and “degenerative” to me 😂
Yeah, that was so bad they went into hiding for three years before bringing out another one LOL
ninjahood i agree
Yeah after the 2007 looks way way better 2006 looks very ugly
It wasn't a bad look for the dakotas, but the durango it just did not work
my dad had a 2005 SLT. i loved it. while we didn’t use it much, we loved it. it was been through 3 accidents. we once backed into our 2006 pontiac G6 V6 and left a hitch mark in the front bumper. we owned it from 2010-2015. i miss it so much.
dude that is insane because my dad had a 2004 Dodge Durango SLT with Hemi and then he also had a Pontiac G6 with a V6 he had both from about 2011 to 2017
Al Dusty holy shit that’s crazy!
Second Gen Durangos were phenomenal and you cannot convince me that they weren’t.
I agree. They were, by far, the most spacious Durango models ever. Love my 08 Durango.
They were the biggest, towed the most, had the meanest presence and scored the best crash test results. I have an 06 with the 5.7, can never go wrong with it.
I've had my Durango for 16 years and love it. Pulled a trailer from Chicago to Arizona. This was a 2 axle trailer and in Texas I was doing 100 MPH for 60 miles.
Is it a Gen 1 or Gen 2? Great story!
@@jamesviehmann4291 It is a gen 1 and it came with a 5.9 360 cu engine. All wheel drive, 4X4 . I still have have it.
My ex-wife's mother ordered a first year of production, 1998, fully loaded 4x4 V8 powered Durango from Porterville Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge in late 1997...as I'm drivin her down to Porterville from San Jose, we're on Highway 5 goin thru Fresno when a brand new red Durango with dealer plates went by us at over 85mph...I sped up in my Ford glass truck and caught up to him, just so she could take a good look at it, when he stepped on it and sped away doin 100mph at minimum...so we're pulling in the dealership, and we see the same dude washing a red Durango that was doin over 100 in a red Durango on the freeway....yep, that was her brand new rig that he was drivin like that without the new motor bein broken in even...he was fired on the spot, and we left without it...she got another brand new Durango a month later....moral of the story: DO NOT drive someone else's rig like it's yours or like you stole it...unless you did in fact steal it, then as long as it's not mine, IDGAF how you drive it....lol
Dude, the Dakota and Durango were some of the best designed SUV/trucks out there. I love how they have a big ol smile on it's face.
Love my 2000 Dodge Durango 4.7L. She's almost at 190k and still going strong with very minimal maintenance
You have lots left I'm over 360k and still going strong
@@donaldliverance2597 If she wasn't a gas hog, I'd definitely keep her that long
@@chasegilmond5637 iv got two and a Hemi commander I'm doing up right now final idea is to do a scat pack on it after I'm done redoing the entire suspension system lol I think it was a flood vehicle
Never owned one, but have worked on MANY. I also live about 20 minutes from that Newark Plant and know a lot of people who lost their jobs then.
Nothing like the sound of the v8 magnum!
I can’t be the only one who actually likes all three gens of Durangos
I like the 1st gen because it makes me nostalgic. And the fact that it was based off of the dakota. And grsnd caravan.
Your not. I feel the same way.
Proud to own an 03 R/T. I never get tired of it. It's only my recreational vehicle cause she's always thirsty. I don't think I'll ever give her up. 17 years and still have it under 190k.
The Durango is one of my favorite SUVs! Any version will do for me! Even the Chrysler Aspen is worth having!!!
I grew up with a 2003 Durango in the family.. it was a 4X4 with the 4.7L. One of the first vehicles I learned to drive on it was such an awesome truck until it finally retired a couple years ago with a whopping 375,000kms on the odometer (trans was rebuilt 60k prior but the motor was still original)
Rob Allan that’s a lot of kms... those 4.7L were horrible engines. I had a ram with one and a Dakota with one. I blow the engine on both around 60,000 kms. But some had good luck and me bad luck
Damn that’s a long lasting durango! Cool to hear
@@davidleeosbourne2727 You blew up two 4.7's and neither made it to 40k miles.
I like the 1st gen. style & construction best.
I worked for Enterprise from 97-98 this was my second favorite SUV to drive on the lot. The first was the Yukon and the lest was the Expedition
Why don't they ever use the concept, looks so much better
I wonder that myself, the concepts are always cooler and better but maybe that’s just more flashy to show off and not suitable for the mass market?
A lot of times, concepts don't meet certain federal standards. So it has to be tweaked.
KULL3R94 yup
Also concept cars are hand made. Translation to production often means cost reduction.
@@KULL3R94 I say we get rid of federal standards and emissions bullshit
Have 98 with 5.2 150,000 love my Durango still going strong with no major problems.😁
I love the SHELBY Durangos, not a fan of the second gens and I’m looking to get a SRT Durango soon.
Yeah second gen was awful but current ones are some of the nicest looking suvs on the market in my opinion
@@MarspeedCars that rear end tho. Gotta love it. But the front is god damn awful
Galeanas Van Dyke Dodge in Warren Michigan has one heavily discounted. It's a 2018 and has 6500 miles from one of the owners. But because of the milage they have a great price on it.
I must say, I've never seen a SRT Durango, but I do own a 2003 R/T Durango 4X4
Love my second generation Dodge Durango 2008 Slt, 113,000 miles. Never had any issues in 13 years. I plan to get a new fully loaded one, when I save up $64,000. I wish I could've gotten the new hellcat Durango.
I see you worked hard on your research. Love your work. Thank you.
Another excellent video, great work. 🙂
2nd gen Durangos are honestly terrific. I think people expected too much from the Durangos. They weren't going to be luxurious, but the price on them were reflective of that. Under cutting the competition, and you got a pretty solid truck. The V6 is bad, I have a Nitro with the 3.7 and while it's reliable, it's not powerful. Our 08 had the 4.7, and it's pretty powerful. I don't miss the HEMI. We tow our lawn trailer 4 days a week, and while it drinks fuel, it pulls effortlessly. The new Durangos are terrific though. The 18 Durango GT with the 3.6 is truly wonderful. But, I still love the second gen Durango more. It's got character.
First generation 👍
Second generation 👎
Third generation 👍
Agreed
We have an 03 4.7L Durango with 204,000 miles. I always thought the second generation looked more like a mini-van than the first gen.
@@JamesLorimor I surprise people all the time seeing my mini van on 35"s hauling people through the trails but it always get to the end of the trail and back it just holds 8 wile doing it
@@MarspeedCars i have a 2nd gen durango i have a 07 its the shit
I had the first generation Durango and i loved it until the end....
My family has a 2000 Durango 4WD 4.7, bought when our children were little in 2003. Gave it to my son a few years ago, and it is his daily driver. Great looking and reliable vehicle, and good off roader. Easy to lift to get 2" of additional ground clearance, which we did. Poor gas mileage but good power. We will never sell it.
Bought a 2000 4x4 SLT Plus 5.9 for 33,600 OTD......drove and towed for 18 years before going back to a 4Runner. Lots of electrical issues like ECU, door locks and power windows all puking, but that torquey 5.9 was the perfect Truck motor and never caused a problem. Trans developed a ''hiccup'' in the 1st to second shift around 90K but it never got worse and the truck is out there still towing and making it's owner happy. My Wife still punches me in the shoulder when it drives by as she LOVED that thing like none of her other vehicles, problems and all it was awesome to drive and the perfect size for an SUV. 4Runners are better Trucks but the Dodge had character that made you love it.
I am the proud co-owner of a 2000 SLT+. We bought it with 23 MIles on the Odom in EARLY 2000. 4.7 motor, Factory 31's and the overhead A/C along with optional 3.92 gearing. Ive replaced the A/C Compressor once and besides the normal stuff (plugs/brakes/ETC) she is still a great girl. Currently sitting at 251,000/change miles and the engine and transmission have never been cracked open. She still shift buttery smooth and besides the tic on cold start up doesnt make any noise (afraid however I been hearing a Water Pump bearing from time to time lately). The Heater core has a VERY VERY small pressure leak. LOVE this truck except for the 11.7 MPG it's averaging. She will still launch hard when I need her to but runs silky smooth. Maintenance on the 4.7 is a MUST and I run Sea Foam in it every so often to get rid of the sludge. I have a long block I just bought in storage to replace this ole girl cause it's the wife's truck and she LOVES it. Ive towed a 12' Pop up trailer loaded with 5 passengers along with gear in the truck and still did 55-60 mph up the 5-6% grades. Now if I can just supplement my cars collection with a decent looking XJ.....
I love this type of content, keep up the good work! Dodge Dakota next?
I have my 01 Durango RT with the 5.9 my dad bought new. 212k miles later she still runs strong and can still haul ass.
Update:
My dodge did it's oopsie and blew everything required for it to move minus the engine of course.
Yes it hauls ass but mine has irritating issues and it's doesn't always prove its point at , see 225k This Dodge has Dodged many things that it's is famous for And Reliability isn't what I call Realible ? it's still passes smog But I wouldn't use this as a way to get to work on time everyday no I need a second car for that 10 mile trip I'm the 2nd final owner of this gas guzzling Son Of anotheer not too happy with the black sheep of family after rims and $3500 stereo system new seat cover and Detailed to the highest of highs great paint still good and it's the Original Paint it still ain't the deal it's sensitive to everything and if u look at his face he looks like he's had enuf and performs that same way and sometimes it's not at it fill power when I excel on freeway it hesitates by Durango I am putting you to rest next year and retired this stubborn machine 2001 STL4×4 good back then idk about Now
@@sheilathompson9540 what engine does it have?
My mother used to have the 2003 gen dodge durango r/t 4x4 and man when i was a small kid, i loved the hell outta that suv only because my mom loved the way it accelerates and my grandpa helped her to buy it. Now i miss it alot because my mother sold it because the transmission broke and at the time, we didnt have enough money to repair the transmission. The durango was a huge part of my child hood
I got a 2009 5.7 4WD and it rocks. I put a bonnet scoop on it and that made it look A+. There is plenty of juice and people can criticise while they eat my dust.
Here with 06 Hemi 189k fast as a hellcat!😂
Just bought a 2001 Durango R/T with the 5.9 and that thing never ceases to bring a smile when i hit the gas, even with 160k on the clock the 360 is built like a tank lol
Great video keep up with good work
Thanks Captain Obvious! 😅
I own a Silver 2000 Dodge Durango 5.9 Magnum. First car, been in the family for 13 years. Runs great, wish the heater worked though.
'05 SLT 4WD 5.7L Hemi owner for 5 years, based in AZ and NV the entire lifespan. I just traded it in with only 107k miles for a '21 Durango and am very happy with it. The issues I had were mainly related to electrical components and plastic based part breakdown due to age and environmental exposure. Transfer case control module, ABS control module, ECM, airbag SRS, fuel filler hose rupture, fuel evap small leak, dried out door seals, rear AC never worked much, plastic radiator cracked, A-frame water drain hose clogged causing water to come into cabin during car washes or rain, engine cowl cover allowed water to pour directly onto engine head. I enjoyed '05, but it seems every time I go to the shop it's $1,000, and the kids were too scared to drive "Blue" which is why I got it. So I may as well put my money towards an upgraded ride.
Still have my 2000 Dodge Durango SLT/PLUS (5.9L) with 134k on it. Purchased it on (10-09-99). Still looks great and rides great. Easy to work on and I hope to keep it to 300k or so. I’m (71) years of age and I keep my baby humming👍👍
I've owned a gen 1 for ever. A 2003 4x4 that finally got rusted in the rockers so i parked it, and just got a 2003 2x4 Gold with tan leather interior, near mint. I bought it in Palm Beach with 115k miles never left Fla. absolutely not a speck of rust anywhere. Had a shop go through it and change anything that it needed. Complete brakes, upper and lower ball joints, water pump, exhaust manifold gaskets, new tires, windshield, new head lights, fog lights, tail lights and modern stereo. Just got it done and a girl pulled in front of me off a side road and destroyed the front end. 11/18/21. Available. It's in Maine. never seen a winter.
My family has owned a first gen 2003 Durango SLT Plus 4x4 5-speed 4.7L Magnum for it's entire life. With regular maintenance and care, 17 years and 151,000 miles later it is still running strong with minimal body rust in Michigan. Hands down the best SUV Dodge has ever made. I'll never buy a new one. Great video!
thank you for this video👏👏
The Gen 1 Durrango was a mid size suv, and the Gen 2 was a full size suv; albeit, just on the smaller size of that segment, and now the current gen, is once again, a mid size suv.
Next one is going big again too I actually hadn't noticed that trend though good eye
Donald Liverance yup. Then the 5th generation in 2028 will be mid sized again lol
I like my Gen2 a lot. Currently its a bit more street, but I want to buy a second one and make that a serious 4X4, so one of each. Ugly is just someones perception and opinion. If you enjoy your vehicle and it does what you want then to hell what everyone else thinks
I own a 2003 Durango 4.7 L Magnum. Still runs great , ac works, 204,00 miles I love it.
I have a 2000 durango SLT with the 5.9L and i absolutely love it. I just need to pull the motor and replace all the freeze plugs this spring...
I have a 99 4x4 with the 5.2, it has 170k still running good. Was neglected by the previous owner, but I put some work into it and it’s a solid vehicle now. Had almost no oil when I got it, overheated at least a dozen times throughout the years and still runs good. Those old 5.2’s are tough as nails.
I have the 99 SLT 5.9/360 with 4WD. I replaced the complete front sheet metal and added the fiberglass shaker hood from Summit. Patriot blue with 135,000 miles on the boy. I've owned him for 20 years and we're still best buddys.
I own a 2 gen Durango SLT with the hemi and I love it. I like cause it family hauler, it can tow my travel trailer, and it does good on some of the off road trails. Mine Durango has a 2in leveling kit with 275/75R 17 A/T tires
99' slt with the 5.2...had it for 4 years and I love it...I flipped down the third row and slapped 2 15" Orion HCCA's over the rear axle 💪💪
I have a 2005 Limited that I bought over 12 years ago. Used it for many camping and hunting trips. It has 190,000 miles on it and other than replacing the steering rack I have had no major problems. Its awesome in the snow. I replaced it with a 2019 Durango so it sits in the driveway most of the time anymore but I still enjoy driving it.
I had a friend / co worker who had the 1st gen 5.9 V8 RT version. I rode in it and it was a comfortable good running SUV, he loved it.
I didn’t notice for years that the first generation Durango has the tail lights taken from a Caravan.
I love my 03 4.7L Durango! Only has 191k and she still runs strong!
Do the history to present time of Jeep Grand Cherokee there’s some pretty cool older ZJ jeeps a lot of people may not know of.
My first car was a 99 Durango my grandpa gave me. He had the 99, an 05, a 2011, and just recently bought a 2020. I currently drive a 2011 durango with the V8. Apparently my family has something for Durangos. Honestly kinda miss the 99. Mine was falling apart near the end (19 years of PA winters) but will always hold a special place in my heart.
My dad had a R/T 1st Gen, with a 5.9 magnum
I have the 2004 Dodge Durango Limited. What is cool is that it runs All Wheel Drive, but can be switched to 4 low and 4 lock, making it a true 4 X 4.
I own a 2003 4.7 fist gen thats been flooded, after fixing some corroded connections it runs like a dream! great vehicle, very peppy!
I drove a 2nd gen Durango throughout my senior year and although it had some issues and it wasn't fuel efficient at all i loved it and i miss it 🥺
Cool, my Dad had a Burgandy 4.7 liter v-8 Slt Durango, I enjoyed driving it. 😀
Nice video !
I bought a first gen Durango as a first car 3 years ago and it's a very cool one ! Awesome V8 sound and not that big for a first vehicle ! I love it
Thanks for watching! I agree these are awesome vehicles in almost every aspect, but glad they brought it back for 2011 because I am a big fan of those!
I own a 2nd and 3rd generation Durango and love them both. I wished that Dodge had given the 3rd generation some of the ruggedness of the prior generations and the 2nd gen some of the refinement of the 3rd generation. My 2nd gen rides and performs like a truck on and off road, while my 3rd gen rides like a slightly lifted high performance station wagon with nothing truck like about it at all. One's rough and tough and the other one's pretty and good in bed.
I think the same. They were very far from the second generation. They would have created one between those two models. When I first looked at the third gen Durango I said: they already lost the essence of Durango. In my opinion the original Durango is still the second generation. Although I love the 3rd generation too, lnteriors and especially gasoline consumption
i have a second generation 09 durango i call it smalls "You're killing me smalls!" there's always some check light on nowadays and its in the 183,000 miles now. alot of them are ghost in the machine kind of problems that the mechanics just cant seem to fix. but one thing that is always constant is it always gets me there so at least it is reliable in that sense.
For 12 years I’ve owned a 2006 Durango with the 5.7 Hemi. Other than the mileage, It’s an awesome car. It’s very comfortable, especially if long trips. I’ve had very few mechanical problems. The security system is a bit wonky. I’ve put over 200,000 miles on this car and it’s still going strong. Overall, I give this car a 9 out of 10 star rating.
My parents have probably one of the few gen 3 srts in England and personally I love it. One thing which would make it better would personally be a higher end trim level, as well as a hellcat version which hopefully will be coming out next year.
Loved it. Can you do a after market sound system or deck install I have a 99..
I've had all 3 gens. My 99 which I still drive has 420K+ on it. The 2nd gen I traded for the 3rd gen when it had 191K. The 3rd gen has 98K. The 1st gen is my fav for sentimental reasons, but the 8 speed transmission in the 3rd gen is my fav transmission ever.
I have a 2003. Love that SUV, 5.9 Magnum R/T. Had it sence 2005. Low Low maintence costs.
I wish they still used column shifters.
My parents bought a one owner 06 model with the 4.7 back in 2010 with about 45K miles. Last year, we gave it to my brother with about 130K miles still running strong. Only real problems was a water pump failure at around 70K or 80K miles. At around 120K miles, a front suspension rebuild. Oil was always changed every 5K miles and doesn’t burn any. We were surprised on how reliable it was especially compared to our 97 Chevy Monte Carlo we had before our Durango.
I own a 2000 Durango SLT w/ 5.9L. My mother was the original owner. Surprisingly, no one really mentioned the transmission issues with the 1st gen. Other than the transmission and with a few mods, this thing is pretty gnarly. I installed a CAI, bigger throttle body, dual exhaust (not true dual, of course), and a performance chip. I also removed the roof rack for more "sleeker" look. I kind of wish it was electric fan cooled because the fan robs a lot of HP. From some angles it’s an unsightly beast and others, it’s kind of sexy. I sometimes want to get rid of it and sometimes want to keep it in hopes that one day it would have a percentage of the nostalgia-craze that the 70s-mid 90s trucks/SUVs have. I would definitely keep a SP360.
You do know theres no performance chips on them! they only have a computer module!...
Jeff Ford when I say performance chip, I mean tuner. The tuner I used was Superchips. I’ve never seen a "chip" other than those eBay scams lol. The tuner eliminated the governor and change shift points. I can definitely tell a difference in performance when in Performance or Tow mode and not in Stock mode.
I’ve been driving a 2003 durango for 5 years now and it has 221,000 miles on it and it still runs great.
I had a 1st Gen with the 4.7, no major problems with it, now I have another 1st gen R/T, they'll run for ever if you take care of them
Hey, isn't the Corvair/Powertech the same engine? Keep up the good work!
I worked at the Chrysler Newark Assembly Plant making Dodge Durango and Aspen.
Were you there when they were building the Gen 1s at Newark?
@@jamesviehmann4291 yes
I used to own a 1999 Dodge Durango, 2007 Chrysler Aspan, 2011 and 2014 Dodge Durango
I have a first gen RT and the thing is an absolute workhorse. It’s a nice size and looks really cool with the navy blue
The first gen was 👌👌👌👌. My friend has a 1999 Durango 4x4, with the 360V8. 455k miles. No issues. Drive it anywhere
I own a 98 Durango. W/ 5.2L almost got 350K on that bad boy! Even though we’re running with no ac or heater. I love it! Best $1,500 I spent for my first vehicle back in 2013.
Love my 02 Durango and totally expect to see them in car shows in the next 15-20 years
Love it. Dodge for life
I’ve owned an
85 Dodge Ramcharger,
Dk Green, sold in 99
98 Dodge Durango 4 W/D
SLT Dk Green, just sold it in
2021
And now
20 Dodge Durango RT,
Lime Green, love it
This is a pretty cool video, can you do a video on the Chrysler Concorde pls?
We still own the 2000 Dodge Durango SLT+ 4x4 ,5.9 (360cid) that we purchased brand spankin new in Dec of 1999. She has been a very good truck and has had many “duties” over the years, first as a Law Enforcement vehicle supplementing my job as a Detective with the Sheriff’s Office. During this time she served as a in prompt to hearse, because of the shortage of a local coroner in our area, I had to transport the body of a victim to a metropolitan Coroner’s Office for the autopsy.
The Durango stayed with our family after my transfer to another duty at the office (the truck had been paid for by us and subsidized by the department) and became my lovely wife’s daily driver. The “Rango” was also our vacation vehicle, dragging our camper all over this beautiful country and still performs these duties today. This led to her being a rescue vehicle on one occasion when I had to crawl my way to the top of a mountain peak to “rescue” a relative who had gotten in over his head in his Ford Bronco.
She has had a few “routine issues” for a vehicle her age but with almost 200,000 miles on her now, she is still our “go-to” truck when we head out.
I got lucky and recently found an 03 Durango 5.9 SLT with 133,000 miles on it at a dealer lot. Has minor exterior blemishes. The interior is in great shape and fairly loaded. I got it for a lot less than you see as advertised for one on youtube videos.
I had an 05 300 C when they were fairly new. I like the Durango better than I did the 300C. It's not as fast or near as good on fuel. I just think the interior in the Durango isn't as cheaply built as the 300's was. The Durango is a nice highway cruiser. Its super comfortable. The 300 didn't have a luxury car ride. It was more sport/performance oriented.
While having some mechanical and transmission drawbacks the first generation Durangos can go well past 200,000 miles if properly maintained.
i have a 2001 Durango 4x4 i love it i have it foir 15 years now and no mayor problem at all...
I have a 2001 durango,4.7 with 250k miles. i think,1st gen is allmost brutal and nice👌👌💕
This summer my first car was a 2001 Durango with a 4 7 in it. Saying the car was trash is a understatement, The car consistently broke down and overheated. Then we decided to sell it at a loss and then we found a 2006 ram with a 5 7 in it. The truck was a gigantic improvement over the Durango. I plan to drive it for the next couple years.
4.7L was never as good as a 5.2L 318 and never will!...now a days its a 5.7L hemi or larger is the only way to go!...
I remember seeing a new sec gen in yellow seating on a dealer lot and thinking that thing looks like a school bus
*a depressed school bus 😅
I love my 5.9 v8 2000 model running strong at about 300,000 mile just switched out the front bearing my self today engine was rebuilt though. I traded my 07 impala lt3 for it no cash.
My ex & I bought a brand new '99 Pursuit- which was the lesser model of the Super Pursuit- as such, it had no supercharger, rim's, custom leather interior or flashy paint. Otherwise it was identical to the Shelby in looks & was made by "Mr. Norm". 5.9 4x4, heads, cam, intake, injectors, long tube headers, true dual exhaust, custom fiberglass hood (same as the Shelby with the 2 smaller "AAR" type scoops, same ground effects too. Ours was white, tan cloth interior - I had the interior re-done in leather & got a sunroof(power) put in it. Original sticker with the Pursuit Package was up around $48K... since it was the middle of the next model year (May 2000), I talked them down to $40K with adding the leather (3 rows & door panels) as well as the power sunroof. Unfortunately, we only had it about a year as my ex "forgot" to make 2 payments while there was a $60K insurance settlement sitting in the bank!! The ex was an ex shortly thereafter!!
My daughters & I all miss that truck!!
Wow that’s a crazy story! It sounded like a very nice durango for sure, thanks for sharing!
Had a 2000 Durango slt with the 5.9 it had 237,000 miles on it when we traded it in it was a wonderful vehicle we really miss it
We traded it in for a 2009 dodge journey which we really like too and it now has over 200,000 miles
1st Gen Durango. Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
best SUV, ever.
Too many forkin reasons to list.
except the trans, the trans was terrible
I think the awd and 5.9L engine worked so well it could've been given a better trans but many people have no problem.
Mopar transmissions go through hell, bc the engines torque :)
and ppl run the wrong ATF fluid a lot..it's a couple extra bucks for ATF+4..but skip it and your trans' life will be curtailed markedly. If you have a Mopar with an AT..use it exclusively.
Many shops will use the wrong fluid, even if u ask and are told they will begrugdingly (Spell check) use ATF+4, "Just for you".
Allpar website for some of that & experience from moi and others I have talked to over the last 40 yrs.
Rango trans was fine, especially for the smart ppl that ordered a 5.2-5.9L and the A518 aka 46RE trans, which is the amazing 3 spd 727 Torqueflite with a 4th gear in the tail shaft.
Newer gen Rangos has an 8 spd ZF trans..a truly fabulous piece.
@@gzuzsavz Absolutely correct on the use of ATF+4 trans fluid... Use any other and it WILL go up in smoke! Also, big factor I have noticed is "Towing without the proper equipment" ALL Gen 1 and Gen 2 Durangos were available the towing package along with a heavy duty service package which included bigger radiator, higher amperage alt, power steering cooler, and most important an auxiliary trans cooler! Sadly, If you didn't have this setup and wanted/needed to tow with your Durango and just went down to Harbor Freight Co, and picked up a Curt hitch and a Hoppy trailer harness, thinking OK.. I'm all set! You very quickly found out...THIS IS NOT A TOWING PACKAGE! The original owners I bought my 03 from found this out the hard way... Not once but 2x! I replaced the 2nd rebuilt trans in this vehicle and installed ALL the coolers from a junk vehicle that had the heavy duty service package.. Now she is all set!
Have 03 w 5.9. All its job is to tow my 20 ft boat n haul my snowmobile trailor w 2 sleds init. Does a great job. Had for 7 years. Only sees towing. Have done a coil n brakes n tires. I think I ck the oil last year. Been a complete tank n been not maintained. Tuff rig. Bam bam.
I liked the design of the first gen, but was never a fan of the second gen styling. Absolutely love the current gens though.
I’m with you on that. First was cool, second was shitty, nowadays they look phenomenal
@@MarspeedCarsthey look fancy and they are fast but that's not what an SUV is for you can't work out of one and it can't play in the mud or on the trails the new one is a soccer mom car for guys that need power and also have a family
So a charger xl.... we need a real bof SUV leave the speed for the trackhawks
CTHellcat same