[Scott Carl]

'03 SLT 119K. I'm new to Durango but not Mopar. I was raise Mopar I had a Road Runner in high school, my folks had a 69 Dart 340 car and I've had several 318 cars over the years. In the last 10 years, I've had a '92 5.2L Dakota and a '98 V6 magnum Ram. I was really surprise at the acceleration of the 4.7L this thing has. From what I remember, as good if not better than my Dakota. All this being said, I have read some horror stories about the 4.7L and was just wondering if any of you folks have had any issues. The reason I ask is, I bought mine in March and have put about 3k miles on it with no real serious issues. Had the oil changed at the dealer recently and they said I had an oil leak but its not a bad one but no other issues. I've only driven on short interstate trips around Omaha and a lot of stop and go and never seen the temp gauge raise above normal, but we're planning a road trip next month from Omaha, Ne to KC, Mo, about 350 miles(?) Most the horror stories involve overheating during extended driving, so just wondering if anyone here has had issues. Like I say, I have had a few Mopars and most of my fellow enthusiasts consider 117k "just getting broke in" LOL What say ye?

Scott

 

[Scott Carl]

Wow, just saw how old this thread is. Hope it gets read before next year

Scott

 

[Hummer]

Durango 2002 SLT 4.7 w/ trailer package and it rolled over 265,000 last week. It has had Mobil 1 10W30 since about 500 miles. Replaced right door window motor, two right front hubs, brake pads once, new rotors on front, charged AC, changed serp belt, three batteries, plugs once, had front end rebuilt at 240,000 with all new Moog parts. Steers better now than it ever had, replaced fog lights with LEDs, polished headlight lenses, got rear ended at about 40 MPH, was knocked cold by a 2012 Lexus. Almost no damage to rear end. Put dent in concealed rear bumper, replaced it with a heavier bumper from another model and repainted cover. Driver seat failed,( Fed law only requires seats to remain in tact up to 30) regained consciousness in back seat, tore shoulder up and neck problems now. Started having ignition problems about 264,000. See this in the electrical problem threads.
I have examined several that were wrecked and the older ones hold up extremely well in protecting occupants. I saw one rolled three times, only broke a few glasses. Everyone had belts on, no injuries. Saw one forced off road and into ditch striking concrete culvert and it flipped end of end. No injuries.

I am in hopes they can figure out what is causing the ignition problems as I plan on driving it 400,000 if all goes well. Found a 2003 SLT not running with perfect glass,body etc lady wants 500.00 for. Has original spare under it, appears new. If I get the ignition straightened out I am going to buy it and put it under shed in back yard as my parts trove.

I got two wheels off the one that flipped end over end to have extras.

Except for the electrical issue I now have it has been a really great unit. I drove a new one last year, did not like it at all. It did not feed solid at all like this one. Also I understand from my tranny guy the standard trannys drop dead at a high rate and I always look in salvage yards and notice 95% of the ones there do not have trailer hitches and the older ones I see on road now are about 85% trailer package models.

Tried to get a cow killer bumper for front but no one made one far as I can tell. Just the bull nose and the brush protector/push bumpers. The one I am thinking of getting for parts has a brush guard I am going to put on mine.

I am just hoping this one is going be fixable as I really have enjoyed it. Oh yeah got some non issue rear tires same size that are more aggressive for snow etc I really like.

Stumbled up on a Class 5 solid steel trailer hitch at flea market w/ 2 5/16" ball for twenty bucks. Did not have the load equalizers. I got it, painted in bright yellow and that is my "get off my rear end" warning now. I also put reflective tape on it as an attention getter. Wish I had it when I got hit as it would have softened the blow and really messed up other car a lot more.


Will probably get spinal surgery after first of year unless something gets worse with neck. Arms, fingers, hands are going to sleep now if I lay wrong.

Would I buy same thing all over, yep and if I have to I might get a older one with low miles for the safety aspect of them.

Update: 10/19/2015 No word from my mechanic buddy on any progress in figuring out what is happening.

 

[RANGO19756]

Just rolled over 126k on my '05

 

[BigNutz]

I'm about to roll 75,000! I'm driving to poop out of this. I promised my wife we'd keep it for 15 years if she approved the funding (Yeah, she's CFO, and let me tell you, that's a good thing). I did the math, It will have upwards or 380,000 at this rate! hmmmmmm

 

[Bigpappa1959]

I have a little over 166k on my 2000 4x4 SLT and it runs strong. Oh and I don't really believe in dragons, but I did see a unicorn on my roof one night, I was pretty drunk though....

 

[Hummer]

Well got a little update. At 266,000 I dropped a valve seat on No 1. Running down the road as nice as you would want and it started running rough. Had to leave it at a friend's house 115 miles away and go back and get it with a car hauler.

I had a Jasper engine put in with a slightly better cam and I love it. Now have 286,000 on everything but engine in the drive train.

500K here I come ! ! ! !! haha.

 

[Ngraz]

I just traded in my 2005 slt 5.7 211500 miles. Owned since new. Replaced idler pullies and supr belt because one was squeeling. That's it other than brakes, tires and shocks and upgrades. But had the typical rusted out rear fenders and door bottoms on dr side.

 

[Rango2018]

I have 233,044 on my 03 SLT with the 4.7. I'm 3rd owner. Bought it after selling my 65 Suburban Carryall. Boy was I dumb. But anyways, I've had the U joints done, replaced a small emissions valve, and rebuilt my front driveshaft. I'm dreading when the heater core goes out. I'm thinking of trading it for a 73-80 Chevy square body pickup.
For right now, I'm taking good care of it

 

[dianewilson275]

Durango 2002 SLT 4.7 w/ trailer package and it rolled over 265,000 last week. It has had Mobil 1 10W30 since about 500 miles. Replaced right door window motor, two right front hubs, brake pads once, new rotors on front, charged AC, changed serp belt, three batteries, plugs once, had front end rebuilt at 240,000 with all new Moog parts. Steers better now than it ever had, replaced fog lights with LEDs, polished headlight lenses, got rear ended at about 40 MPH, was knocked cold by a 2012 Lexus. Almost no damage to rear end. Put dent in concealed rear bumper, replaced it with a heavier bumper from another model and repainted cover. Driver seat failed,( Fed law only requires seats to remain in tact up to 30) regained consciousness in back seat, tore shoulder up and neck problems now. Started having ignition problems about 264,000. See this in the electrical problem threads.
I have examined several that were wrecked and the older ones hold up extremely well in protecting occupants. I saw one rolled three times, only broke a few glasses. Everyone had belts on, no injuries. Saw one forced off road and into ditch striking concrete culvert and it flipped end of end. No injuries.

I am in hopes they can figure out what is causing the ignition problems as I plan on driving it 400,000 if all goes well. Found a 2003 SLT not running with perfect glass,body etc lady wants 500.00 for. Has original spare under it, appears new. If I get the ignition straightened out I am going to buy it and put it under shed in back yard as my parts trove.

I got two wheels off the one that flipped end over end to have extras.

Except for the electrical issue I now have it has been a really great unit. I drove a new one last year, did not like it at all. It did not feed solid at all like this one. Also I understand from my tranny guy the standard trannys drop dead at a high rate and I always look in salvage yards and notice 95% of the ones there do not have trailer hitches and the older ones I see on road now are about 85% trailer package models.

Tried to get a cow killer bumper for front but no one made one far as I can tell. Just the bull nose and the brush protector/push bumpers. The one I am thinking of getting for parts has a brush guard I am going to put on mine.

I am just hoping this one is going be fixable as I really have enjoyed it. Oh yeah got some non issue rear tires same size that are more aggressive for snow etc I really like.

Stumbled up on a Class 5 solid steel trailer hitch at flea market w/ 2 5/16" ball for twenty bucks. Did not have the load equalizers. I got it, painted in bright yellow and that is my "get off my rear end" warning now. I also put reflective tape on it as an attention getter. Wish I had it when I got hit as it would have softened the blow and really messed up other car a lot more.


Will probably get spinal surgery after first of year unless something gets worse with neck. Arms, fingers, hands are going to sleep now if I lay wrong.

Would I buy same thing all over, yep and if I have to I might get a older one with low miles for the safety aspect of them.

Update: 10/19/2015 No word from my mechanic buddy on any progress in figuring out what is happening.

WOW, THANK YOU for taking the time to write all this. I feel really good and safer with my 2002 Durango now. Your story is quite an education. I really appreciate it.