Dodge Durango


The Dodge Durango is a mid-size SUV produced by Dodge starting with the 1998 model year. The first two generations were very similar in that both were based on the Dodge Dakota and Dodge Ram, both featured a body-on-frame construction and both were produced at the Newark Assembly Plant in Newark, Delaware through the 2009 model year.
The third-generation Durango began with the 2011 model year. It is built on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, features unibody construction, and has been assembled at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan, since late 2010.
Each generation had options for different engine sizes and power ratings, with different transmissions also. In 2009 a hybrid variant was introduced, but ended quickly with the second generation Durango. From 2007 to 2009 the Durango was available as the Chrysler Aspen from Chrysler. Over two million Durangos have been sold since it was introduced in 1998.

First generation (DN; 1998)

The Durango was marketed as a sturdy truck-based SUV designed to hold up to seven passengers and tow up to when properly equipped. The Durango shared a front end, instrument panel, and front seats with the Dakota pickup on which it was based, and its taillights and liftgate handle with Chrysler's minivan models of the time. Original designs of the eight-passenger Durango featured a rear-facing third-row similar to many older station wagons. To make room for a more practical forward-facing third row, Dodge shortened the length of the front doors and raised the roof two inches beyond the front seats, allowing for stadium seating. The Durango's roof rack was designed to mask the appearance of the raised roof.
The 4.7 L Magnum V8 replaced the 5.2 L Magnum V8 engine for 2000; however, the 5.2 was still available in the early 2000 models. In that same year, a special AWD performance version called the R/T was released with a 5.9 L Magnum V8. In 1999 and 2000, a limited-edition Shelby S.P.360 version was offered that featured a supercharged version of the 5.9 L Magnum V8 engine. Output is and of torque. Exterior modifications include unique wheels, tires, suspension, and bumpers. It came standard with Viper blue paint with two racing stripes down the center of the truck. It had a time of 7.1 seconds. The top speed was.

Model year changes

For 1999, the Durango was made available with two-wheel drive. A 3.9 L Magnum V6 engine was available, but few were sold. Minor changes were made for the second year, two new paint colors, and options that included heated rearview mirrors and steering-wheel-mounted radio controls. Leather seats became standard on SLT Plus models, and body-color wheel flares became standard on SLT Plus and four-wheel drive models.
The 2000 model year included a new 4.7 L Magnum V8 engine, which replaced the reliable 5.2 L Magnum V8, as the standard engine for four-wheel drive models. The 3.9 L Magnum V6 engine was no longer available, leaving only V8s for the rest of the production run. The high-performance Durango R/T came equipped with a performance-tuned 5.9 L Magnum V8 and all-wheel drive.
For 2001, Dodge focused on interior upgrades as Durango's interior trim panels, dash-mounted controls, instrument panel, overhead console, and steering wheel were all redesigned. The transfer case selector on 4X4 models changed from a manual lever on the console to a switch on the dash. The instrument cluster was updated, and an electronic vehicle information center was incorporated into the overhead console. For improved rear passenger comfort, a dual-zone climate-control system was added as standard equipment. Sound systems were improved on all models and now came standard with six speakers. Other minor changes included door panels, revised seats, aluminum wheels, and minor changes to trim options.
In 2002, the new SXT version of the Durango was offered as the entry-level trim package. Optional side curtain airbags were added for safety. The 2003 Durango featured minor mechanical changes, most notable was the addition of four-wheel disc brakes.
In 1999, the 4WD 5.2 L V8 and the 4WD 5.9 L V8 held the best crash test results, earning a 6.8 out of 10 total rating.

Trim levels

  • 1998–2003 - SLT: Most basic trim level of the Durango from 1998 to 2000. Midrange trim level of the Durango from 2001 to 2003. SLT emblem. Included: cloth upholstery, keyless entry, power doors, locks and windows, 15-inch alloy wheels, and an AM/FM stereo with cassette player and four speakers.
  • 1998–2003 - SLT PLUS: Most luxurious trim level of the Durango from 1998 to 2003. Included luxury features. Based on the SLT trim level. Never featured an SLT Plus emblem, but only an SLT emblem. Added: fog lamps, floor mats for the rear seat area, leather upholstery, power driver's seat, security alarm, and an AM/FM stereo with single CD and cassette players with a graphic equalizer, Infinity sound system with 8 speakers, and steering wheel audio controls.
  • 2000–2003 - Sport: More basic trim level of the Durango from 2000 to 2003. Included basic features. Based on the SXT trim level. Sport decals.
  • 2000–2003 - SXT: Most basic trim level of the Durango from 2000 to 2003. Included basic features. SXT decals.
  • 2000–2003 - R/T: "high-performance" trim level of the Durango from 2000 to 2003. Included luxury and performance-oriented features. Based on the SLT Plus trim level. R/T emblems.
The SLT, SLT Plus, and Sport trim levels offered the 3.9 L Magnum V6 engine as standard equipment, with the 5.2 L and 5.9 L Magnum V8 engines being available options, later switching to the 4.7 L Power-Tech V8 engine, with the 5.9 L Magnum V8 engine optional. The R/T and S.P. 360 trim levels included the 5.9 L Magnum V8 engine as standard equipment.

Engines

  • 1998–2000 — Magnum V8, & of torque
  • 1998–2003 — Magnum V8, & 330 lb·ft of torque
  • 1999 — Magnum V6, & 225 lb·ft of torque
  • 1999–2000 — Supercharged Magnum V8, & 412 lb·ft of torque
  • 2000–2003 — Magnum V8, & 345 lb·ft of torque
  • 2000–2003 — PowerTech V8, & 295 lb·ft of torque

    Transmissions

  • 42RE 4-speed TorqueFlite automatic - 3.9 L V6
  • 45RFE 4-speed RFE automatic - 4.7 L V8
  • 545RFE 5-speed RFE automatic - 4.7 L V8
  • 44RE 4-speed TorqueFlite automatic - 5.2 L V8
  • 46RE 4-speed TorqueFlite automatic - 5.9 L V8

    Second generation (HB; 2004)

The second-generation Durango was first shown as a concept dubbed Dodge Durango R/T concept at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. It debuted shortly before the companion Dakota. Like the Dakota, it has much in common with the large Dodge Ram pickup, including a fully boxed frame. It is longer, wider, and taller than the previous model. It also offered a third-row bench with three seats, giving it an eight-seat capacity. The design took its styling primarily from the Dodge Powerbox concept, which was itself based on the 1999 Dodge Power Wagon concept, and the 2003-2004 Durango R/T concept. The steering wheel and gauges are shared with the Dakota, and the steering wheel was only shared with the Ram Pickup.
Debuting for 2004 was a new coil-spring rear suspension for the solid rear axle. A Watt's linkage system is fitted to the rear axle, centering the axle and reducing rear-end skate over rough surfaces, and allowing a lower and wider cargo floor.

Trim levels

  • ST : 2005-2009: Most basic trim level, basic features. Included: cloth upholstery, 17-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, antilock brakes, keyless entry, tilt steering wheel with speed control, an AM/FM stereo with a single CD player, and air conditioning. SXT added grey running boards and an AM/FM stereo with a 6-disc CD changer with MP3 capability.
  • SXT: 2003-2009: Most basic trim level, basic features.
  • SLT: 2003-2009: Value-oriented trim level, value-added features, optional luxury features. Added: premium cloth upholstery, power driver's seat, 7-passenger seating, rear air conditioning, and fog lamps. SLT G package added overhead console with compass, temperature, trip odometer, average fuel economy, and distance to empty, an AM/FM stereo with 6-disc CD changer with MP3 capability, 276-watt Infinity audio system with 8-speakers, 17-inch alloy wheels, Sentry Key, security alarm, garage door opener, and dual sun visors.
  • Adventurer: 2005-2007: Value-oriented and "off-road-look" trim level, value-added features, optional luxury features. Added: V8 engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear cargo organizer, and floor mats.
  • Limited: 2003-2009: Most luxurious trim level, luxury features. Added: leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, auto-dimming rearview mirror, an AM/FM stereo with 6-disc CD changer with MP3 capability, a 378-watt Infinity sound system with 8 speakers and subwoofer, a memory system for driver's seat, mirrors, stereo, and pedals, automatic headlamps, automatic temp control, power mirrors, and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and speed controls.
All trim levels offered the 4.7 L Power-Tech V8 engine as standard equipment, though the 5.7 L Hemi V8 engine was available on all trim levels, except for the base SXT trim level. The base SXT trim level also offered the 3.7 L Power-Tech V6 engine as standard equipment in place of the 5.7 L Hemi V8 engine option, though the V6 engine option was only available on the base SXT trim level, and only between 2004 and 2007.
The 2004 Dodge Durango was the first SUV in DaimlerChrysler's lineup to introduce the 5.7 L Hemi V8 engine, as well as a new radio design and modernized interior features.

Facelift

The 2007 model year featured a facelift that debuted at the Dallas Auto Show in April 2006. It featured a redesigned grille, hood, headlamps, fenders, and wheels. New features included electronic stability control, rear park assist, and a one-touch turn signal.
In 2006, DaimlerChrysler introduced a full-size luxury SUV based on the Durango, called the Chrysler Aspen, for the 2007 model year.