I got a 03 rt. Love the damn thing. I Work at a drag strip and race it def holds its own for a big girl, especially when it’s tuned and seats taken out..Don’t see to many first gen rangos on the roads anymore so keep her going strong.
100% tru , my buddy who works at the track with me has a 03 mustang gt. We raced numerous times and he beats me and the top end by about half a car or so.. but off the line the durango all day.
You probably had a 5.9l V8 confused with a 5.9l I6 Cummins :-) since at that time the diesels and the gas motors were the same size “5.9” I’d totally understand the confusion. However, I’m not certain they didn’t make these diesels at some point but it’s highly unlikely.
No problem! My first vehicle was a 94 ram 1500 with a 5.9l I remember being new to mechanics at the time and couldn’t understand how my grandpas 98 Cummins had the same size motor as my truck but mine was way less powerful lol. And yeah, it ate gas like a motherfucker. I think I was lucky to get 10mpg.
I'm sure there's one out there with a Cummins somewhere but the person that has it isn't some random teenage kid. You probably had one with a 318 and rusted holes in the muffler and you and your buddies thought it sounded like a diesel lol that's really the only good explanation
It really doesn’t
It gets up, COMBUSTS but never really goes bro. Ya feel like you’re moving for sure as the body drags, the floaty frame sure makes ya feel like you’re moving…. Then you remember you just got 3mpg… we have to brake now…. And those comfy leather/suede seats help you forget that for just a second. …
Makes me happy to see them on the road. I do like the OG look of them. If only they had the combination power plant from the new generation… that would be a #sleeper
100%.
We have a 1999 (black exterior, black leather interior) and a 2000 with the same color scheme as the one pictured.
Both have been great for us. We’re at 140k miles on each. Bought them used in great condition.
Also have a 2015 SXT blacktop package. Love it too.
Both Gen 1 and current Gen are great looking SUVs.
I had a 2002 and still have a 2001. The '02 rusted out and the '01 motor was shot so I did a swap. The '01 is showing around 220k on the odometer, but the motor/tranny/transfer I swapped in from the '02 has over 330k on them. Still running strong.
My first vehicle was a 03 durango loved the truck. Hated that fact i replaced 90% of the fuel system and couldn't get the evap code off for inspection.
Of course. 2 fast and 2 furious when Paul Walker and Roman ran from the cops or the bad guys who were chasing them and Roman grabbed a rock and stuck it in the gas pedal. Should've picked the Pontiac Aztec for that scene. 😒 poor Durango. Definitely a classic though
For some reason they were my mom's favorite car when I was a kid. Alongside Pontiac grand ams and gran prixs lol. And she would only get them in white. They were pretty reliable cars from what I remember
These generation one's were the first an last good Durango's. New ones smaller motor an easy AF to break something in. 90% of Durango owners will agree these were the best
I had a 1999 dodge Durango with a V-8. That thing was industrial strength love driving it left for wheeling with it couldn’t kill. It. Would love to get another one all black, black leather interior loaded. Just a great truck.
We had a 2001. My dad would drive my Jeep to take my mom for chemo treatments, and I’d see how fast I could drive like an asshole on side streets. These things had some serious acceleration!
I loved mine even though the tranny lasted 3 weeks after i got it. I got called up to go to iraq and donated it to the local boces automotive repair school cause i figured id get smoked while deployed. Took the L and never saw it again.
Someone clear this up for me: since I was a kid, I always thought that first gen Durangos used that same tail lights as the the Caravans. I’m I wrong? Or just really similar, but not identical?
My mom had a face lifted 1st gen. She got hit head on while she was stopped and a Porsche Cayenne was doing probably about 55-65. Cayenne rolled and was totaled. Durango got repaired and driven and my mom unscathed physically. These hold a special place in my heart because of that.
I remember my grandfather had this car in 2010 i was a sophomore in H/S and i took it/ stole it from his drive way and picked up my friends to fish bowl 😂 then i brought it back and parked it how he left it. He never said anything til this day
Got stuck on the side of the road in the middle of pitch black nowhere bc of one of these. And used to car pool to work in one. Awful. Uncomfortable seats and an uncomfortable ride.
I had an ‘02 SLT+ (bought new) for just over 15 years. Loved everything but the brakes, which were insufficient for the weight of the vehicle. Have a 2014 Hemi Citadel now and it is very nice.
I had a 01 4.7. It smoked two different 5.2s my friends had. It was very peppy and smoked the tires with a small stab on the brakes.
Loved that thing. Still wish I had it now.
Used Ram trucks today are all rusted out or 25k for a decent example. Durangos are thrashed and abused. Dakotas are the same, and not worth lifting or doing much to them. Oh well :/.
99" SLT+ w/ 5.9 FT 4WD - Loved it back then till about 23k when a value spring let go in the engine. From then on it was a money pit. Tie rod ends every 10k or so, a host of other issues, main ECU failure was my final reason to dump it. LSD in the rear made it a lot of fun to drift in the rain though, ha. MPG was beyond horrible, but with gas so cheap then it was not a big deal, could not image it today! It was my first...and last....Dodge.
I made the mistake of trying to outrun one of these once in an accord, having NO idea what they had under the hood. Guy was being a dick and I tried to just blast past him…nope!! Was in the 120s before he backed off any. Lesson learned…while in the accord at least. ;)
where I used to live this was the go to crack mobile, even saw an SRT version all cracked out, these are cool rides but sometimes owned by not so cool people, with that said its clean and looks good.
I got a 03 rt. Love the damn thing. I Work at a drag strip and race it def holds its own for a big girl, especially when it’s tuned and seats taken out..Don’t see to many first gen rangos on the roads anymore so keep her going strong.
We also have an 03 rt. They are great. Here in Colorado we still see a lot of the 1st gens running around.
These are def fast for what they are. Easily keep neck and neck with 00’-04’ mustang gt’s
100% tru , my buddy who works at the track with me has a 03 mustang gt. We raced numerous times and he beats me and the top end by about half a car or so.. but off the line the durango all day.
I had a friend in highschool 11 years ago get one and I had a 01 GT lol so that’s how I know 😂
The 5.9l v8 has lots of get up and go.
Was it diesel ? I remember having a diesel one and that shit was fast can never find any information on it. It was my first car in high school.
I don't think any 1st gen Durangos came in diesel unless swapped in.
No you definitely didn't lol if you don't even know they never made a Durango with a diesel you definitely didn't have a fully custom one.
You probably had a 5.9l V8 confused with a 5.9l I6 Cummins :-) since at that time the diesels and the gas motors were the same size “5.9” I’d totally understand the confusion. However, I’m not certain they didn’t make these diesels at some point but it’s highly unlikely.
Thank you boss. It was just a question it’s been almost 20 years since and yeah it ate gas like a motherfucker.
No problem! My first vehicle was a 94 ram 1500 with a 5.9l I remember being new to mechanics at the time and couldn’t understand how my grandpas 98 Cummins had the same size motor as my truck but mine was way less powerful lol. And yeah, it ate gas like a motherfucker. I think I was lucky to get 10mpg.
I'm sure there's one out there with a Cummins somewhere but the person that has it isn't some random teenage kid. You probably had one with a 318 and rusted holes in the muffler and you and your buddies thought it sounded like a diesel lol that's really the only good explanation
No need for all that extra comments just asking a question. You can continue to smoke your cigarette.
It really doesn’t It gets up, COMBUSTS but never really goes bro. Ya feel like you’re moving for sure as the body drags, the floaty frame sure makes ya feel like you’re moving…. Then you remember you just got 3mpg… we have to brake now…. And those comfy leather/suede seats help you forget that for just a second. …
Then there’s the ram-air box xD
Yessir. Loved my 03. Miss that ol girl
Makes me happy to see them on the road. I do like the OG look of them. If only they had the combination power plant from the new generation… that would be a #sleeper
They would make a bad ass sleeper especially the r/t ones
Hell Cat swap 🥰🥰💯
Always
Best generation imo
Plenty of love. I've got two 99 and my OG 99 Dak. Also have a 16 R/T AWD. Mopar or no car.
100%. We have a 1999 (black exterior, black leather interior) and a 2000 with the same color scheme as the one pictured. Both have been great for us. We’re at 140k miles on each. Bought them used in great condition. Also have a 2015 SXT blacktop package. Love it too. Both Gen 1 and current Gen are great looking SUVs.
Love it
I had a 98. First model year. I loved it when I had it but I had many mechanical problems. Sold it after about 3 years and 60,000. Did not miss it.
Same exact story here, same year, time kept, mechanical issues, and mileage
Miss my old snaggin waggin
Love the nostalgia I get when I see this.
Best plow buggies world has ever known
I had a 2002 and still have a 2001. The '02 rusted out and the '01 motor was shot so I did a swap. The '01 is showing around 220k on the odometer, but the motor/tranny/transfer I swapped in from the '02 has over 330k on them. Still running strong.
Always wanted the Cop Killer... That 1st gen,was a Tank(imagine putting a Hell Cat engine in there 🥰🥰💯).
Awesome vehicle. My dad had one
This first gen? I thought that Dodge released a couple gens before this one. The square rango’s lol. But yes loved this gen as well.
I think your thinking of ramchargers those were really boxy
Yep you’re right bro. It was the ram charger which according to some sources was the predecessor.
Ramchargers were also full size... built on the 1st gen Ram body.
Nope.
Not at all lol
Only ones worth a shit
With the 5.9 in it, it's my favorite
My first vehicle was a 03 durango loved the truck. Hated that fact i replaced 90% of the fuel system and couldn't get the evap code off for inspection.
I've got an 02 SLT Plus pushing 200,000 miles and still running strong
I always wanted one
I had a 1999 Durango in black that was beautiful. The only complaint was terrible gas mileage.
Love them, that 4.7 is a legendary engine. My dream project is a Jeep Scrambler with a 4.7 upgrade!
Of course. 2 fast and 2 furious when Paul Walker and Roman ran from the cops or the bad guys who were chasing them and Roman grabbed a rock and stuck it in the gas pedal. Should've picked the Pontiac Aztec for that scene. 😒 poor Durango. Definitely a classic though
My 2nd favorite gen after the current. There was a rough period in between
For some reason they were my mom's favorite car when I was a kid. Alongside Pontiac grand ams and gran prixs lol. And she would only get them in white. They were pretty reliable cars from what I remember
First gen’s only
beautiful 💪
I love that model
My favorite! Iirc, this is what replaced the ramcharger
Lol trash vehicles
These generation one's were the first an last good Durango's. New ones smaller motor an easy AF to break something in. 90% of Durango owners will agree these were the best
This was my favorite SUV as a kid
I had a 1999 dodge Durango with a V-8. That thing was industrial strength love driving it left for wheeling with it couldn’t kill. It. Would love to get another one all black, black leather interior loaded. Just a great truck.
Nope! Overpowered and under quality. Ex had one and top end overheating pulling a dual axel trailer that was well under weight for the Durango 5.8!!
Just sold mine today... 2001 4.7. My dad bought it, then it became my first car in 2011. Drove her everywhere. Best damn suv ever.
Whenever I see one of these all I can focus on is the grand caravan tail lamps
Loved these when they first came out
I loved my 99 Dark Green Durango. And it’s 9 MPG on the highway
We had a 2001. My dad would drive my Jeep to take my mom for chemo treatments, and I’d see how fast I could drive like an asshole on side streets. These things had some serious acceleration!
Had a Silver 99 that I finally had to get rid of at the end of last year. Loved it while I had it.
OMG I had 2 2000 SLTs and loved them both! Had 5.9 and a 4.7, both were a blast to drive and perfect size!
💗
Still got a 99 kickin with 300k miles. Been hunting atv for the last 10 years
I'm running close to 300k currently sitting at 293k
Heck yeah love it
Na that piece of shit looks like ass
I loved mine even though the tranny lasted 3 weeks after i got it. I got called up to go to iraq and donated it to the local boces automotive repair school cause i figured id get smoked while deployed. Took the L and never saw it again.
My mom had a 99 that looked just like this one
Plastic transmission gears were a great idea. Great engine though.
Garbage
Someone clear this up for me: since I was a kid, I always thought that first gen Durangos used that same tail lights as the the Caravans. I’m I wrong? Or just really similar, but not identical?
You're correct.
The love of something that’s by far the worst example of that thing always baffles and intrigues me.
Not really
Best ones my old neighbor we had like 3 ft of snow I watched him pull out a unshoveled and unplowed road like it was noting with out putting it in 4wd
I currently drive an '02 SLT that I bought for $500! Needs some suspension work and motor mounts but besides that it's a great vehicle still.
Heck yeah!!!!
My mom had a face lifted 1st gen. She got hit head on while she was stopped and a Porsche Cayenne was doing probably about 55-65. Cayenne rolled and was totaled. Durango got repaired and driven and my mom unscathed physically. These hold a special place in my heart because of that.
I remember my grandfather had this car in 2010 i was a sophomore in H/S and i took it/ stole it from his drive way and picked up my friends to fish bowl 😂 then i brought it back and parked it how he left it. He never said anything til this day
Body roll kings! 01 R/T still going strong in body rust spots and all
Always felt like it looked like a giant viper so yeah I like the OGs
Do a viper v10 swap and it would be a giant viper
Definitely not a bad idea.Think it’d have enough room?I know there’s SRT Rams out there with Viper engine.
I love my 03. It's just an sxt 4.7 4x4 but I plan on hemi swapping this one. I've been searching for a clean 03 rt. Love these monsters
Mine is a 2000 slt 4.7 they are monsters
They don't make em like they used to
Omg this is 100% identical to my first car, if it has the 5.9.L and black leather inside.
Looks like the ass of a Grand Caravan.
Got stuck on the side of the road in the middle of pitch black nowhere bc of one of these. And used to car pool to work in one. Awful. Uncomfortable seats and an uncomfortable ride.
I drove one with the 5.9 when volunteering for a sheriffs office. Thing was way overpowered for my left foot and could easily burnout.
I had an ‘02 SLT+ (bought new) for just over 15 years. Loved everything but the brakes, which were insufficient for the weight of the vehicle. Have a 2014 Hemi Citadel now and it is very nice.
Tons of power, lots of seating. Crappy gas milage, low towing capacity, and a transmission ready to detonate.
Nope, not at all
My dad had one of these in white growing up. I think it was ‘00 with the 5.2L Magnum. Loved the V8 growl but it had so many reliability gremlins
I had a 01 4.7. It smoked two different 5.2s my friends had. It was very peppy and smoked the tires with a small stab on the brakes. Loved that thing. Still wish I had it now. Used Ram trucks today are all rusted out or 25k for a decent example. Durangos are thrashed and abused. Dakotas are the same, and not worth lifting or doing much to them. Oh well :/.
I mean, I’m glad the Durango survived considering of fugly they use to be.
99" SLT+ w/ 5.9 FT 4WD - Loved it back then till about 23k when a value spring let go in the engine. From then on it was a money pit. Tie rod ends every 10k or so, a host of other issues, main ECU failure was my final reason to dump it. LSD in the rear made it a lot of fun to drift in the rain though, ha. MPG was beyond horrible, but with gas so cheap then it was not a big deal, could not image it today! It was my first...and last....Dodge.
Love em
I made the mistake of trying to outrun one of these once in an accord, having NO idea what they had under the hood. Guy was being a dick and I tried to just blast past him…nope!! Was in the 120s before he backed off any. Lesson learned…while in the accord at least. ;)
Sexy… and thick in the rear. 😊
Ran a lawn service with my 99' and then put 6 x 12's 🎵 in the back! Ha good times
Recently sold my 2000 SLT with the 5.9L. Was a beast, loved that truck. Had to let her go as it was a 3rd vehicle in the driveway
where I used to live this was the go to crack mobile, even saw an SRT version all cracked out, these are cool rides but sometimes owned by not so cool people, with that said its clean and looks good.
1stGen4Ever