Dodge Durango Review | 1998-2003 | 1st Gen 

What’s your gas mileage look like?

​@@themaskedmusician4846 I just bought a 98 Durango 3 weeks ago. Just checked the actual gas mileage mine gets yesterday. Around town and up and down Lookout MTN to and from work I got 15.06mpg after driving 50.2 miles. I refilled and got on the interstate and drove 44.7 miles at a steady 70 miles per hour and got 13.41 mpg. It's rated new to get 13 city, 17 hwy. I think going 70mph killed my mpg. It might get the 17mpg "highway" if I drive 50 or 55mph

Starting a small business and am working on getting one found one with low miles in great condition 💪🏽 it will be my truck to pull my trailer with my equipment.

fr tho

@@thatguy1522my dad recently gave me his durango and its only got 50k miles on it

​@@thatguy1522that's a terrible truck to pull a trailer daily for a business. It's only rated for 4k which means 2k daily towing otherwise you will damage the trans. Don't get me wrong it's a great truck but a 1500 or 2500 is what you need and the same price

@@user-bi2pk4mb6wDurango works fine, has the same drive train & engine as the 1500 5.9, no difference there besides it’s in a smaller form factor

I'd say it's the third gen, IMO. But it's better than the 2nd gen.

Same I have a 98 Durango slt it has over 200,000 miles on it but it’s still a beast sadly rusting away 😢

I have a 01 with the same effect and affect.

I have a 2000 with 270,000 running strong no check engine lights

I have a 1998 with 365,000. It runs perfectly. No check engine lights. Absolutely love it.

you still have it?

I have video on my page of the bodyshop when the plant was closed,,,i still worked because i was in repair

Shouldn't you be driving a Dodge then? Looks like you're driving a Ford...

Mike C i do drive a dodge now,,2002 dodgedurango R/T with 93,000 original miles in 2020,,you need to investigate further before assuming,,ya know

I was just kidding... and a little curious because of your photo. Maybe you helped build this very Durango.

Mike C no problem, im just a little crabby today because this week is my chemo week,,makes me feel like pooo.

Sameee I had the same one as you , ugh I was a stupid little kid for getting rid of it to get a mustang 😫

Did you get one? If so what’s the mpg on the 5.9

@themaskedmusician4846 no I haven't. I ended up getting a Grand Caravan and ran it for about 18 months until the trans went out. I definitely still want another Durango tho

Best affordable woods beater, my rt is on 35s

I got a 01 5.9 r/t I ported the cylinder heads, 53mm throttle body and a full exhaust and I got it down to 6.2 sec 0-60 from 8.2 and I still got to port the intake manifold and tune it i think ill get it around mid to low 5s with a stock cam. It's fun as it is too drive it i love my truck had it for 6 years now and I'm not planning to get rid of it

@@transam8607 dang that’s awesome!! I’m thinking of doing that do u know how much these weigh I’m thinking they aren’t to heavy since they’re so small

Mine is completely stock, I have plans for it, but that will probably happen later on down the road when I have money and time

Same mines has about 185,000 miles on it runs great

Glad I could help. Good luck!

Good GS go I am a mind fucking mind fucking

I agree, also got a '02 4.7. Stripped the doors and roof and use it for fun off-road driving. Love the fact that it's a truck but an SUV

I drive an 03 with the burgundy and gray 2 tone and I love it, I grew up in this thing and now it’s my first truck

4.7 has it been reliable or has it given trouble and the transmission?

@@tonystylesofficial6844 Tony, that 4.7 is a heck of an engine and very strong for its size. Mine has been incredibly reliable all these years and I've had it since very late 2007 with barely just over 30k miles. I bought my first Durango which was a 2002 in 2005 used at a local Honda Dealership which was the two toned burgundy/grey one. It had like some 45k miles on it when I bought it. Fucking loved it, took it everywhere!! But unfortunately two years later, my neighbor up the street came home drunk one night and took the turn too wide and smashed the entire driver side. Needless to say it was total loss. My current one in, 2000 Durango Forest Green, I got it in like November of 2007 while I was home for awhile in Northern Idaho. Got it off of a trucker/military family who hardly drove it as they were never home, hence the very low miles. I scored on that one. I have driven it back and forth from Northern Idaho to my current location which one way trip is nearly 1400 miles one way. Now I am telling you this to show how long I've had a Durango with a 4.7L V8 engine. As for its reliability, I've never had ANY issues with it. But as of now, I have 185k miles on it and I think my head gasket is starting to go out. Although it is not over heating, but I'm starting to see possible oil deposits mixing in with my coolant. It may just be I need a new radiator as the one on it is the original and needs to just be replaced. I've flushed it out numerous times over the years and the last couple of years doing it, it's been draining out brown gunk. It's taking more coolant and I also think my water pump may be going out as well. It's burning oil and I need to replace the valve stem seals. But I just took it in a week and a half ago for service and they think also it's possible my head gasket me need to be replaced. But, as of all these years of owning it, the engine has NEVER given me any issues up until now with the above mentioned. Nothing wrong with the transmission, still running strong and it's the original as well. I'm only sad that I may have to replace the engine. That'd gonna cost me more then what it's worth, but it's my baby and I still love driving it. We'll see what I decide, haven't decided on either another used engine or a remanufactored engine. Hope this helps...

Just got a 2000 5.2 SLT to pull a vintage 1965 travel trailer ... seeing so many differing specs on tow capacity - any insight?!?

I’ve got a 2001 aswell

I have two 2000 Durango's. I just proved why today as I was being cheered pulling people out of snow in Portland, Oregon.

Ha, I have the exact same one. Call her Big red too. Just can be a bit.. moody... due to sadly not being given the proper care for a few years. Still runs like a beast tho with plenty of life left, 140k miles

Mine isn't. Trans problems.

Well done ;-)

Check linkage

That's why I nicknamed mine! It's Dango the Durango.

How bad is gas mileage? What are the issues you've found? I'm thinking about getting one.

Gas Mileage with the 5.9 is around 11 city 15 highway. Sometimes more or less is possible. Reliability isn't the best, but it is not British level of leaving you stranded. The biggest issue with these is transmissions. Mine has been rebuilt twice now, second time was just recent. Other than that engines are solid (if you get the 5.9 or 5.2), just do regular maintenance. Electrical issues can come up from time to time. That's the issues I have had to deal with oudside of normal wear and tear.

@@nonoiscool98 thank you for the info. I'm looking at a very low miles (around 30k) 2001 RT with the 5.9 and AWD.

That's a good buy, make sure everything checks out. However the RTs are good especially with those miles. You get the 5.9 and 3.92 axle ratio. I unfortunately have the 3.55 that came with most of the slts. However I plan on swapping mine. Anyways good luck, and most of all have fun.

@@DanielHernandez-lr1yx get a 4.7l 14-18 mpg, very dependable if you keep good maintenance. solid rust free frame still too... I will keep it forever and repair anything as needed.

Just got a 2000 5.2 SLT to pull a vintage 1965 travel trailer ... seeing so many differing specs on tow capacity - any insight?!?

@@untilyouknow6955 may wanna look into a new transmission of your towing😂, but it should be fine . It’s got the power just not best transmission

iwoww 562 agreed

Yes I got a burgundy 01 love it

I love my burgundy Dango. He rocks!.

Buy a Haynes mechanical book, definitely a tile saver

Just weighed my 2000 5.2L empty w/ half tank of gas & me (165lbs) - total weight was 4660.

Are you in big tires?? That is definitely not running right if it’s that bad

The light dial for interior lights. When turning off by 😊dial only turn until after 1 click. Not sure exactly which as im not sitting in truck. Figured this out as my battery would be dead. I tend not to use and no kids are aloud to touch dial.

98 5.2 at 11.9 better than me 😂

I get 13mpg and have the 5.2

What’s your gas mileage look like with the 5.9?

I'd take a look at the owner's manual to see if it provides the number there. I believe its 4100 lbs for this year but not sure if that applies to the 5.2 or just the 5.9

@@DrivenCompanion thanks! Found a website that you can look up any make & model tow capacity - it says 6k!

I’d maybe check the drive shaft? We just replaced mine after having some issues. It would click when we would reverse and when we got it looked at we found the shaft was completely broke. It’ll take no time to fix

2000 is new year of changes. Lots of computer issues. Hated it . Was on side of the road more than driving. Using it for parts for my 99" which i love and am rebuilding.

Malik Arnold do they suck as reliability lookin at one

Master Thot Slayer naw If you keep up on the maintenance it’s flawless!

@@masterthotslayer9601 2020 and still driving mine just about everywhere honestly. Really good vehicles. We’re just now replacing all the original stock parts on it from natural wear and tear. I’m in love with it

Gas mileage is terrible but otherwise a great option if you need a bit of space or something with some power.

What’s your gas mileage look like? If it’s the 5.9 liter