336,000km (Mar 2, 2009)
NOTE: All Pictures open in a new window
The pictures were taken on my brother's farm.
After looking at how much the rust was getting ahead of me underneath the
truck, I decided it was soon time to replace it with something newer. It
took me a few months to find a suitable replacement, but I was eventually
successful. I found a 2003 equipped with the same 5.9 motor, transmission
and axle drive ratio and had the original trailer tow package. I then
removed all my extras from the old one and moved them to the newer one.
Considering it is 5 years newer and has less miles on it than mine did
at the same age, hopefully I can get another 5 years out of it.
It appears as though I timed this just right. About 2 weeks after I
started driving the 2003, by Brother had borrowed the old one while
it was still insured and licensed and discovered that reverse no
longer works in the transmission.
A picture of the newer one is at the bottom of the screen.
My Durango is equipped as follows: Durango SLT+ with 5.9 liter V8, 4 speed auto,
3.93:1 Axle ratio, 31x10.5x15 Michelins, trailer tow package,Limited slip differential.
I also added: Firestone air springs in the rear, an air compressor and tank with a dash
mounted air pressure gauge with remote control for the air springs, Electric brake controller.
Audio system upgrades: tweeters on each door, and a pair of 10" MTX Blue Thunder subs
concealed in the floor compartment where a 3rd row seat would be if I had one, driven by my
old reliable (it's in the 3rd vehicle now) Orion 2125 amplifier (125W/channel @ 0.003% THD).
I got sick of the little strap on towing mirrors and decided there had to be something better.
After a lot of looking and measuring, I decided a pair of 2002 Ram 2500 towing mirrors would fit.
I had to drill new mounting holes in the door, but otherwise they fit rather well,
although I did have to give up the power mirrors. The power mirrors from the RAM 3500
and RAM 1500 are very different and will not fit. Don't buy these as a service part, buy
them as an accessory kit, you get two for the price of one with all the hardware included.
The towing mirrors give an adequate view behind the 8' wide Jayco. Of course a car can still disappear from view
when they pull in close behind the trailer. The trailer as equipped from the factory was way too light on the tongue, and we
wanted more run time when away from hydro without needing a generator so we mounted 3 100AHr group 27 gel batteries
onto a stronger battery tray, and we moved the spare to the tongue as well. The trailer now tows very nicely even without
the load distribution or sway bars attached, although I still put them on for any very long hauls, or hilly areas.
Here you see the location of the drivers side air spring under the truck.
They sit just behind the center of the spring pack under the frame.
With the utility trailer I haul for work, they maintain normal ride height with only 30PSI.
In 2005 my Mother traded off the Jayco and bought a used 29ft Terry Dakota. It is still
the same width as the Jayco and tows well, although with the extra length, I find it tows
nicer with the sway bar attached. The trailer as equipped from the factory was too light
on the tongue, and it needed a new battery anyway, so we beefed up the battery tray and installed
a pair of deep cylce batteries. The trailer now tows much nicer even without the load
distributing hitch (it has much less bounce to it now with the added tounge weight).
The 2003 Durango R/T 4x4
The 2003 is a little different shade of blue, it came with 17" wheels and I
soon found that I can't get a good winter tire in that size so I searched
again and found a set of 16" wheels that I can put good winter tires on.
That way I can keep the nice looking 17" tires and wheels for summers and
just put the winter tires on for winter.
