X vs. Durango? How do they compare?

[David in NC]

My friend is looking at Durangos. Does anyone here have any experience? I've let him drive my 99 2wd XLS and my son's 97 4wd XLT both 4.0 OHV and told him all I know about our trucks, but I know nothing about Durangos to compare, except Consumer Reports gives them a very dismal rating. Are they as bad as CR says? Are they lots less reliable than our X's? More trouble? Are they harder to work on? What knowledge can you share? Thanks in advance.

 

[JDraper]

I looked at them before I bought my '01 Explorer. More power, lousy fuel economy, less interior room, lousy 4wd system....

 

[ExplorerDarrin]

I owned a '99 3 years ago. YES it is as dismal as rated. The 3rd row seat and the ride were great but, even worse trans problems than Ford can think about. Having the computer reflashed every 4 months, not to mention Chrysler products have the worst advertised hp to rear wheel ever. My friend Chris still has his and he built the engine to 398 flywheel hp. After install and even dyno tuning he puts 308 to the rear. Oh yeah...check the durango forums...only the hummer gets worse mileage. Just my 2 cents

 

[dewgod]

I have done a lot of stupid stuff in vehicles over my life and the only vehicle I have ever been scared in was a Durango. I almost rolled it twice haulin butt down fire roads. Never had that problem in either Explorer. This was a first gen Durango, I have no experience with the newer ones.

 

[reserved50]

two words, they were hinting something when they came up with the company name, DODGE IT!! Crap I had, had major resonance with the rear windows even rolled down slightly over 80kms, the ball-joints go quicker than Explorer joints, the transfer cases start to make noise if you abuse them a bit, then the whole **** box just self destructs, stick with a late model 4.0 or a V8 Exploder

 

[97greenmonster]

Yea. there not nice at all. My buddys mom has one and we HATE it. We never drive it. We like the 5.9 V8, but thats it. The ride is crummy, you KNOW you in a truck, even tho it has IFS, it feels like the truck is bolter to the axle with NO shocks. This is a truck to avoid. My friend hit a tree in it going about 5 MPH on a rainy day, 6,000 in damages. Not a sturdy truck. Even tho its got a 5.9, the body and drivetrain moans carrying a 4000-5000 pound camper. Not a nice truck at all. Like reserved50 said, stick with the 4.0 or the 5.0. The SOHC is the quickest, and can tow peretty nicely, but if your gonna tow, stick with the 5.0. I feel the torque over the durango.

 

[-Jack-]

I rented an '06 durango for a weekend. I spent most on the time on the interstate and was not impressed. The trim was cheap. The ride was nice, but my old mounty is more comfortable for the driver and passangers. They do have more power, however.

 

[97greenmonster]

My friends is a 01 i think, and its cloth, and he thinks it has a nicer interior than my 97 with leather, which is in great shape with no stains or rips. I think hes crazy. Those seats are like cardboard with cloth on them.

 

[old mechanic]

The only good thing about them is the exterior looks. At least I think so.

 

[alwaysready]

friend had the older durango and it was junk had it in to dodge numerous time for trans issues he pulles a single axle trailer around for his rehab company(misc tools junk etc not alot of weight) but the dealer told him to just switch to the new durango when they came out so he did. its bigger( he already smashed the front fender on a building backing out of an alley( maybe he didnt remember how big it was??) hes happy with it hasnt had problems that i know of he said the fuel econmy is better than the old one which he said sucked.

 

[catdaddy]

was just looking at the 2000 models on this site: autobeef.com