1999 Dodge Durango SLT 4x4 now a 5.9 V8 originally 5.2
Summary:
Absolutely awesome vehicle, Great in 4x4
Faults:
5.2L engine seized on 126th st. while driving-crack in intake manifold was the cause. Ball joints uppers and lowers are shot wheels should have fallen off over 3,000 miles ago were replaced last month along with the hub assemblies. These were caused by defective parts not covered in the recall. Bad U-joints non-serviceable parts were the cause. Transmission issues at 88,000 miles caused by my father taking it to Pep Boys without my permission, they over filled it the first time, then the 2nd time they mushroomed a gasket $271 to repair that at Amoco. Drivers side front speaker goes on and off on it's own.
General Comments:
After the 5.2L engine seized we tore it down and rebuilt it as a 5.9L Magnum V8 which has been nothing short of reliable and the biggest in class at the time. Tops out at over 120mph anything past 80 the ride seems to smoothe out and is a beautiful ride, only downside to the behemoth besides occasionally peeling out from a stop light is that I only get about 11.6mpg currently. the 4x4 comes in very handy I wish that I had the full-time 4wd option on the transfer case, but that isn't the case right now. I've gotten it stuck in 8-16 inches of mud in 2 wheel drive all I had to do was kick it into 4 wheel drive part time, rock once and gun it no problems getting unstuck whatsoever. Does phenomenal in snow with 4 wheel drive.
The get up and go behind it is beautiful I can pass just about anything out there with confidence or get the heck out the way of something bigger that don't stop (ie ambulances).
Because it is built on a truck frame it rides like one it really does, the ride isn't that smooth and the big Dueler tires on there make a bit of noise, but it is all easily drowned out by the 8 speaker Infinity Sound System... which as I've been told can be heard up to a quarter mile away. The SLT interior came leather clad with the Dodge ram head emblem implanted on the back of the driver and passenger seats up front. the 2nd and surprisingly enough the third row had ample leg room when considering the size of the vehicle and each seat was designed to have a view. After fixing this bad boy up and doing a little tinkering I wouldn't trade it for anything, I feel very safe in it (ever since it ran over a parked ford escort and only sustained a cracked turn signal, busted side head lamp, knocked the fog light out, and scratched the bumper less than $200 damage) I love this vehicle I really do. Fond memories made in it, great for hauling rowdy friends, a place to sleep at night when you're too lazy to set up a tent, and very impressive all around.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th November, 2005
9th Feb 2006, 09:43
I wrote this review a while back, anyways new up date 104,000 miles on it replaced spark plugs and wires, had a misfire code. Blown cylinder heads or head-gasket probably my fault though, leaking coolant through exhaust as a result. Due to mounting education costs and ever increasing gas prices I am trading it in, for another dodge more than likely. But I'm still thinking about fixing it again and hanging onto it. It's great and saved my life in november when I was spun off of 91 E in Minnesota in a snowstorm.