How to build Durango

My neighbor has retired his 2000 Durango from wife daily driver duty and wants to put 33's on it for some 4-wheeling and for his kid to drive (very responsible kid)

Advice? I'm thinking 2-3" body lift, 33's and rear lockright. Sliders.

I know that AllTerrain ran 33's on his for a while with a body lift. Would you do it again?
 

BlackDog

one small mod at a time
SAS.... D44's mid 80's full size waggy..... 4.56's and 33" tires...... coil front and rear, or better yet coilover front and rear

(disclaimer: I have never done any more lift to any one of my vehicles than a torsion bar crank [which actually may be an option for the Durango] and do waaaaaaaaaayyy more than my fair share of web wheeling)

Having said all that, I like the rear suspension configuration on the second gen. Durango's..... something about a control arm that pivots near the pumpkin center, and obviously runs perpendicular to the axle makes sense to me..... but see above disclaimer....
 

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
Thay have a fully boxed frame. Pretty decent platform.

Coreys has a 44 front, 9" rear, running 39.5 pitbulls, extended radius arms up front and SCOUT leafs in the rear. He also has a surprise under the hood but im not telling :bow:

The body lift would be simple but I would suggest doing a SAS. Or just spend the cash on the suspension lift. If his son is going to be driving it.....make it safe.
 

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allterrain

AllTerrain
Location
Cedar Hills
My neighbor has retired his 2000 Durango from wife daily driver duty and wants to put 33's on it for some 4-wheeling and for his kid to drive (very responsible kid)

Advice? I'm thinking 2-3" body lift, 33's and rear lockright. Sliders.

I know that AllTerrain ran 33's on his for a while with a body lift. Would you do it again?

I'm still running my 2000 Durango with 33's. Torsion bar crank and 3" body-but it's stable and not too tall. It's got 160k on it and get wheeled regularly on mild trails. With an SAS and a locker or 2 it would be an awesome family wheeler, but even as mine sits it goes a lot of places and has stoodup to abuse well. There is a 5.5" suspension lift for the 98-99s but they changed the steering in 2000 and it won't work.
 

BlackDog

one small mod at a time
Heh, not bad suggestion I had then, for a web wheeler and all.

I always liked those, but thought they got really disgusting mileage for what they were, suburban/tahoes do better at the pump from everyone that I have talked to, with a 318 anyway.
 
I'm guessing you saw that same magazine clip I saw. ;)

I think I was on Kane Creek with him for about 45 minutes one year until he overheated...

I doubt my neighbor will be doing an SAS. I'll suggest it though.

Heh, not bad suggestion I had then, for a web wheeler and all.

I always liked those, but thought they got really disgusting mileage for what they were, suburban/tahoes do better at the pump from everyone that I have talked to, with a 318 anyway.

I looked at them when I bought my '99 burb...and I just felt like I was getting a lot more bang for the buck with the burb for the same price. But that's another story.

AT, The way that yours is set up now (Tbar, body lift, 33's) would it be worth adding a rear locker? Or do you not need it for where you go?
 
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allterrain

AllTerrain
Location
Cedar Hills
A rear locker or even a limited slip would be great. As it is, I have to pick my line and really "drive" it in some places. :)
Mileage is horrible (I get about 14 average) and I have the 318. It's peppy and fun to drive though.
 

RNandKT

If the Chick Digs it ....
Location
Lehi, UT
33's are not that hard to get under a durango. I have a 99, and all you have to do is get a set of indexed torsion keys (find em on ebay all the time) that will allow you to get about 3 inches out of the front torsion bars and then get a set of longer shackles and an add aleaf in the rear. Although the biggest problem with the 33's is the width, so you will have to replace your wheels with something more offset, and I highly recommend sticking with an 8 inch wide wheel to keep the tire from killing your inner fenders. A lot of durango owners just crank the stock torsion bars 2 inches do the rear shackle and put on 32's. You won't want to go any bigger than 32-33's though without addressing axles. The front axle is prone to pumkin failure with too much tire.

The 5.5 inch lift is made by tuff country, and has a bad name for bending brackets under heavy wheeling, but I have no personal experience with it. Just FYI.

As far as durnagos go though I love mine. Hands down take it over a burban. I average about 16 mpg overal and get 17 on straight highway. Not that it's awsome but considering a V8 suv I'm satisfied. My brother in law can't seem to get over 15 in his burban even on the freeway. And anyone who has ever tried to wheel a burban will tell you you need at least 35's just to keep the bumpers from dragging.

However, my durango is just biding it's time though till the used market comes down on the new 4 door wrangler unlimiteds. Since Jeeps are where the real fun are of course.

If you have any questions I can awnser on durangos let me know I've put my time in. Or check out the durango forum at dodgetalk.com there is tons of info on them over there.
 
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