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Dodge Durango

1712 messages,  Last post on Apr 20, 2010 at 2:18 PM

You are in the Dodge Durango Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Durango, SUV

Messages Page 97 of 172

#960 of 1712 2004 Durango Review by oedipus1608

Nov 15, 2003 (6:53 pm)

I found this review at TruckWorld.com. They liked almost everything about the Durango. Their only complaints were: the steeply raked windshield; acceleration pedal travel (they said it might be a preproduction problem); fuel economy with the hemi; a tight third row seat (I believe that this quite odd since the Durango has 34 inches of leg room in the third row; 2 inches more than the Armada and MotorTrend said that Duango's third row seat was adult friendly). It seems that Dodge did their homework. By the way, does anyone know the braking distance of the 2003 Durango. I went to MotorWeek.org and they said that the 2003 Durango too 135ft. If that number is true, and braking has been reduced by 10%, then the braking distance of the 2004 Durango is a mere 122ft. I read another review on Edmunds.com that said that the previous Durango took 128ft from 60. If that number is true,then the Durango only takes 115ft from 60-0mph; incredible! BTW, the article mentioned nothing about the Durango being slow, or under powered, or feeling like it does not have 330hp, as MotorTrend led everyone to believe. Rather, they said that the Hemi was a power house and the 4.7L felt right at home for the Durango.
 
Here's the link
http://truckworld.com/Sport-Utility/04-durango/04-durango.html

#961 of 1712 Durango w/Hemi by rsholland

Nov 16, 2003 (8:04 am)

I drove one with the Hemi, and it didn't feel nearly as powerful as the Nissan Pathfinder Armada which I also drove, which is a larger truck and with less reported power.
 
Bob

#962 of 1712 I just test drove the 2004 Durango... by snapshot7

Nov 16, 2003 (4:28 pm)

I had the chance to test drive both the Nissan Armada and the 2004 Durango last night.
 
The Durango is ALOT smaller than the Armada and is still right between a compact and a full size SUV. The Armada's engine felt more powerful that the 4.7 V8 in the Durango, mostly due to the way Nissan is gearing the engine for low end torque.
 
The Durango is very nicely put together. It has excellent fit & finish. The turning radius it great has were the brakes. The seats felt supportive and comfortable.
 
Overall it is a VAST improvement over the older Durangos. Dodge is still playing "catch up" in many of the smaller details when compared to the Asian or European models (no NAV, back-up camera, etc).
 
I think that if the Durango proves to be reliable it will do very well.

#963 of 1712 Durango review by steve_ HOST

Nov 20, 2003 (8:30 am)

"The 2004 Dodge Durango sport-utility vehicle is a big, serious truck with a magnificent engine and an attractive price tag."
 
Dodge Durango sets standard for large SUVs (Detroit Free Press)
 
Steve, Host

#964 of 1712 97,000k on a 2000 DD by porknbeans

Nov 20, 2003 (1:09 pm)

I'm hitting 97k on my 2000 DD and was told at my last oil change that my ball joints are going to be needing replacement....again. This will be the second set of ball joints for me on this truck. Along with the main electrical wiring harness being replaced, rebuilding the rear differential and a consistant 13mpg I'm getting rid of it. I've enjoyed the truck and I still like the looks of it, but enough is enough. I'll report back on what happens. Good luck to all current and new owners.

#965 of 1712 Ball Joints by jc58

Nov 20, 2003 (8:32 pm)

Just wondering, what are the symptoms of bad ball joints? Which ones are the ones that continually need replacing, the upper/lower or both? Finally, what does it cost to replce them?
 
Hopefully, I shouldn't have to worry about this for a while, I bought a 2003 SLT in August, currently 2,375 miles and no problems.....

#966 of 1712 jc58 by porknbeans

Nov 21, 2003 (8:08 am)

I had my first set of ball joints (uppers and lowers) replaced at 60k. I now have 97k on the truck and when I had the tires rotated at 96k I asked them to check the ball joints. The mechanic told me that they are just starting to get loose again and that I will need to replace them. I think costs will vary depending upon where you are, but here in Madison it's about $920 with an allignment. I notice the ball joints on my D loosening up because I seem to "chase" the truck across the road more than you would expect (some people might call it wandering). Tire wear is also a good indicator.
 
Here is a good generic description of a ball joint and what it does:
 
http://www.carcarecouncil.org/Steering_Suspension/ball_joint.shtm- l

#967 of 1712 2004 Durango by gpackerf

Nov 21, 2003 (3:51 pm)

Has anyone ever sat in the new Durango? I sat in them twice now, and it seems small to me. I am 6'3" and I need the front seat all the way back. There is legroom, but the door, or the door post is rubbing my shoulder. With the front seat all the way back, I doubt if there is more than 4 inches between the front seat and back seat. I have a '98 Durango, and I don't think there is any difference in passenger room.

#968 of 1712 RE : Foul odor from vents? by horst1

Nov 22, 2003 (2:56 pm)

Are you sure the odor is coming from the vents? If you are not, have them checked the catalytic converter for leaks. Sometimes they act up and creep into the vents. Good luck.
Horst

#969 of 1712 by kirstie_h HOST

Nov 25, 2003 (12:18 pm)

If you own a 2004 Dodge Durango or are shopping for one now, a midwestern newspaper reporter wants to talk with you. Please send your daytime contact information to bclantondetnews.com or jfallonedmunds.com by Wednesday, December 3, 2003.

Messages Page 97 of 172

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