engine for my Durango..... scratch that, Dakota resurrection instead

[Cranky]

And we're protecting you from jerk off sellers

 

[khryslerkid]

Shooting lifters lol. That one is a first for me but I quit reading all the posts about the problems people were having with them early on when I was a member of the Dakota/Durango forums.....

Not lifters, rockers.

 

[eldubb440]

Shooting lifters lol. That one is a first for me but I quit reading all the posts about the problems people were having with them early on when I was a member of the Dakota/Durango forums.....

I know if they get hot, they can drop a valve seat.......

 

[DeltaV]

If you buy the engine, then replace yours now. That way, you've lost your $2,000 and your truck when it's totaled in an accident.

Seriously, just keep driving yours until it needs rebuilding. It has lasted this long and sounds like it is doing just fine. Keep doing what you've been doing; and service the timing chain if needed.

 

[eldubb440]

I can appreciate the way you're thinking here Mark. Sounds like something I personally would do as well, except try to buy the entire truck as a spare for parts, not just the engine.
Get out ahead of it now IMO.
My $.02

exactly my thinking

 

[eldubb440]

If you buy the engine, then replace yours now. That way, you've lost your $2,000 and your truck when it's totaled in an accident.

Seriously, just keep driving yours until it needs rebuilding. It has lasted this long and sounds like it is doing just fine. Keep doing what you've been doing; and service the timing chain if needed.

I appreciate you taking the other side, that's why I started the thread

my thoughts are......... 2 K isn't much these days, and if I can drag it home for 2500 I have extra everything

I also don't want to be the guy asking for advice, then ignoring it ........ so thanks, I'll consider all angles

 

[davek]

I would buy the whole truck. This way I can start it up every other month and have the extra parts. JMO

 

[PlymCrazy]

Our '99 Tahoe gets stored during the salt season.

Our '96 Suburban has the same engine and drive train as our Tahoe. And although it still runs and drives decent, we had to retire it recently due to rotting frame rails. We keep it around still for just this reason...parts, parts, parts.

 

[eldubb440]

my Durango is pretty clean, it has a few minor spots I need to address so they don't fester (no holes)........ I plan to lift it off of the frame at some point, and give everything under there some love

 

[DeltaV]

my Durango is pretty clean, it has a few minor spots I need to address so they don't fester (no holes)........ I plan to lift it off of the frame at some point, and give everything under there some love

View attachment 1673364

Nice looking truck. It's green too. Lol

That is a handsome dog. Looks like he is ready for a nice ride!

 

[Runcharger]

Try to get the whole vehicle and leave it together until you need it. Not to be negative Nellie but someone could steal your Durango or run into it and total it tomorrow (or 3 years from now) before you swap in the "new engine", then you're out the $2k. I do think it's worth the money though.

 

[qkcuda]

You keep calling it your Durango. It looks to me like it is Rebel's Durango.

 

[HawkRod]

I am a fan of buying the spare engine if and only if you love the Durango and really want to keep it for a long time AND your Durango is in great shape, possibly only needing some minor repairs.

I really liked my 97 Suburban and wanted to keep it for a long time (I actually DID keep it a long time). It as a workhorse, but then I started getting a lot of failures all stacking up one on top of the other. Brake and fuel lines were rusted and a major pain in the arse to replace, the radio went south, then the wheel sensors and anti-lock braking systems, then rust started on the hood lip and a door. There were other things too. Could I fix them all? Sure.
The question was, did I want to spend all that time and effort to do so? I decided I could make more money spending my time on other things, so I unloaded it.

 

[eldubb440]

You keep calling it your Durango. It looks to me like it is Rebel's Durango.

I'll take my chances on it not being stolen or totaled..........

I'd like to think I'll never buy another vehicle, and I have a ton of newer mechanicals in this one: I know what I have

I doubt I can replace it for 5K; yes Durangos are out there, but they're all gonna need everything I have done to this one.

v8, 4wd ........ good trucks/suv's are pricey these days

and a stash of OEM parts is priceless these days

 

[bobsgtx]

Our '99 Tahoe gets stored during the salt season.

View attachment 1673354


Our '96 Suburban has the same engine and drive train as our Tahoe. And although it still runs and drives decent, we had to retire it recently due to rotting frame rails. We keep it around still for just this reason...parts, parts, parts.

View attachment 1673355

View attachment 1673356

View attachment 1673357

View attachment 1673358

I don't remember the old trucks with a channel frame having rusted out frames. Now it seem like all the box frames rust out no matter what brand. Maybe it's the drive train lasts so long on newer ones the frames are the weak point up here in the rust belt.

 

[Don Frelier]

I guess I'm the only one thinking he should put an LS in it?

 

[qkcuda]

You had to be that guy Don!

 

[Kern Dog]

In May of last year I bought this:

That is a 100,000 mile 5.7 from a wrecking yard. $2250. I went through the heads but the bottom end checked out okay.
I bought it as a replacement for my truck....

I haven't needed it yet:

I'm happy about that.

 

[PlymCrazy]

...I know what I have...

You just had to say it, didn't ya?

 

[Don Frelier]

You had to be that guy Don!

I request "Free Bird" at every concert too, no matter what the band is.