What's the OPPOpinion?

"Khalbali" (khalbali) 12/22/2015 at 14:38 • Filed to: None

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The search for the next car continues as it always has and always will, even after the purchase of the next car. Just wanted to see what OPPO thinks of the 1st gen Durango, seems like a good hauler/camping car to complement my NC. Any issues to look out for?

SP360 for your time.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:41

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Rust

Margin Of Error > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:42

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More Shit Oppulence

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:43

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Well there’s a truck I haven’t seen on the road in a while...

Jcarr > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:45

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I think some of the Dodge transmissions of the era may have been failure-prone. The 318 and 360 were pretty solid, though.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:45

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All I remember from my moms then new 1999 Dodge Durango that she owned until 2002 was how many times it left us stranded because it refused to start due to constant various issues.

Takuro Spirit > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:45

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They rust easy. The interiors don’t hold up well. But the drivetrain’s pretty bulletproof.

You might even find a rare 5.9L 2WD that ISN’T a 5.9R/T.

d15b > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:46

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“Sheer opulence.”

lol.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:46

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If you want rust, you’re good!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:49

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My mom owned one from brand new in 2001 until last month.

When she bought another brand new dark blue Durango.

They towed a few times with it, but my dad always had a bigger truck. If taken care of it’ll take care of you, they’re solid trucks. Thirsty, but solid, assuming you find one that was treated well.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 14:49

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In college, my friend and I were paid $400 each to help move this guy down to North Carolina. I spent 14 hours in a Durango with a load of antique clocks in the back. It was comfy, but incredibly slow, got atrocious gas mileage, and had atrocious visibility. I do love the way they look though.

BringBackTheCommodore > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 15:01

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Ah yes, the beloved Magnum-series V8. Magnum as in the engine family, not the wagon; it’s derived from the older Mopar LA-series engines.

To start, I owned a ‘98 Ram 1500 with the 5.9L, a ‘99 Ram with the 5.2L, and a ‘99 Dakota 5.9 R/T. I’ll detail what I dealt with on those, those issues still apply to the 1G Dodge Durango, since it was built on the Dakota chassis.

First up, the intake manifold.

If it’s V6-motivated, you’ll need this: http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/products…

V8 motivated trucks require this: http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/products…

Transmissions are hit or miss. On the Dakota 5.9 R/T, the transmission was good, on the 5.9L-equipped Ram, it was sketchy.

The 5.9 R/T eventually began weeping antifreeze from the freeze plugs on the engine block. The 5.9 R/T also wore out it’s upper and lower front ball joints (that had been replaced once before in its life before I bought the truck), and announced such to me with a massive popping sound on braking.

Rear ends seem to be a non-issue on these trucks.

Interior materials deteriorate and wear out (look up cracked dashboards for the Rams, Dakotas, and Durangos).

Seat materials are okay, but not the greatest. Definitely comfortable.

Hope this helps!

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Khalbali 12/22/2015 at 15:01

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My father in law has had one since new in 1999. SLT/5.2/4wd in dark blue with the black leather/suede interior. It’s nice, but my wife says it drives like a marshmallow cave. Also, babying it, we got about 16 mpg.

BringBackTheCommodore > BringBackTheCommodore 12/22/2015 at 15:04

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Also forgot to add, the 3.9L, 5.2L, and 5.9L were all prone to cracking in the heads (as are the 4.7L engines as I’ve found out from a coworker). The brake calipers will lock up if left sitting for a long time (as I’ve learned from my coworker). I’ll add more here if I think of anything.

bhardoin > Khalbali 12/23/2015 at 01:16

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My dad had a 5.9l 2wd with tow package, and it was the best wagon ever. Grant, we live in CA where rust ia a non-issue, and he babies the interior of every car he owns.

That thing ran for 275k miles, then the trans started slipping and he junked it. Over that time, he replaced the water pump, spark plugs (once), a radiator fan, and I think that is all he did to it. Incredibly low maintenance. I was disappointed to see it go, cause that motor still ran perfect and sounded mean even at 275k.

Also worth noting, i think that’s the only SUV I’ve drive that had on-center steering feel.

I miss that car. So many good memories.