Re: UPDATE>>>Does anybody drive A Dodge Durango Suv with the 4.7 V-8?
I have a 99 Dakota (5.2L not 4.7) and I love it.<br /><br />2000 is the first year for the 4.7 (replaced the 5.2), and it debuted with a foaming problem in the oil filler neck which turned out to cause no problems. They stuck a baffle in there to hide it I guess, you can probably open the oil fill cap, pull out the baffle, and see. I guess I'd describe the 4.7 as a horsepower motor compared to the 5.2, it's a bit peppeir but tows well too. It also gets somewhat better mileage. Spark plug changes are a bit more challenging with 8 individual coils(installed on top of the spark plug). The 4.7 has turned out to be a pretty good engine..it spawned the 3.7 V6 which just came out in the last couple years.<br />2000 was also the first year with a computer controlled automatic transmission, if that matters to you. <br /><br />Some things to look out for: First and foremost is the balljoints. I dont remember if 2000 model year was covered under the recent recall, but I know my 99 wasnt and the problem exists in all Dakotas and Durangoes from 1997 (98 for the 'rango) to 04 for the durango and 05 for the Dakota. If the balljoints have not been replaced, expect to be replacing them at some point. Before the recall, dodge would just replace the entire control arm assy. which would come with new balljoints, but they're the same old crap. I dont know if thats how they do it under the recall, but I doubt it. I replaced mine with aftermarket joints so I never have to worry about it again. <br /><br />These things also have rear wheel speed sensors that tend to fail. It's located in the top of the rear diff, no big deal to fix, but it's a problem nonetheless. Mine has yet to fail. <br /><br />The 2000 should have front discs and rear drums for brakes. The stock dodge rotors have a tendency to warp if the wheel isnt torqued down properly, as the rotor is simply sandwiched between the wheel and the hub. This is another one of those "common problems" that may have been resolved during the last brake job, might want to ask if the rotors were replaced or turned. I am still running one original rotor with no problems (I know I know, replace one replace both, but I didnt).<br /><br />Thats all I can think of for now. It sounds like you are getting a great deal on a great SUV. I tow many different types of boats with my dakota and it does great, and after 115,000 miles it has yet to let me down. The auto trans lasted me 100,000 miles and thats with towing and only one fluid change while I owned it (since about 47K miles). I swapped the auto for a manual 5 speed because I wanted to. <br /><br />Good luck, hope it works out for you.<br /><br /><br />P.S., Noticed you're on the peninsula, whereabouts? I'm in South San Jose.<br /><br />Dan
