As it’s become known to me, El Diablo is my rolling project vehicle. I have gone back and forth a number of times before finally settling in on the build direction for my 1998 Dodge Durango. I have decided to build a dual purpose vehicle focusing on an Overland build that can double as my Bug Out Vehicle. As most of the modifications for both builds are almost identical, it is an easy pairing to do.
Credit for my Durango’s name goes to my little brother, Patrick. He came up with the name after we had discussed the first Overland trip I decided I wanted to take her on, the El Camino del Diablo. So the name El Diablo was given, and has been referred to as that since.
Side Story Time
Once in a blue moon the fates bring you to something you were looking for with an unexpected twist. In this case, that unbeknownst to me, would turn out to be El Diablo, my 1998 Durango.
Prior to owning El Diablo, I begrudgingly had a minivan that eventually got into an accident that finally totaled it. This gave me the money to go vehicle shopping. So I took my check list and went searching for the perfect Durango for me.
After what felt like forever searching the internet, I came across a 98 Durango that was only a few short miles away. I setup an appointment to go view it and a short time later we struck a deal.
I was told a story upon purchase that there were stickers on the original windshield from European countries. I brushed it off until a Carfax report showed this particular Durango was bought, driven, and maintained in Jacksonville, NC. The importance of the location is because I was stationed at the Marine base there, Camp LeJeune. This lead credence to the story I was told. El Diablo’s prominence was further cemented when I found some Euros and receipts for gas in German, Dutch, or some language of the region. These were found inside one of the doors while I was replacing the speakers. Holy shit!!! My Durango WAS overseas after all.
Given the cumulative totality of the information I had, I had an epiphany. My Durango was at the same base I was at the same time I was and we both spent time overseas. It was fate that led this vehicle to Albany, NY to be up for sale at the time I was in the market and looking. I have never felt more connected to a vehicle I’ve owned than this one. There’s a kinship there that I can’t explain.
A Durango? Really?
I did not accidentally choose to purchase my Durango. It was a deliberately careful choice. I literally researched the hell out of the Durango line. I knew exactly what options I wanted and didn’t want when I went shopping. I also knew what the average market price was.
This was a vehicle I fell in love with from the moment I saw it. It was one of those must have vehicles for me. Yeah there were other choices that arguably could be better for what I have planned. Yes, without a doubt there are others that have a much bigger aftermarket following, like Jeep and Toyota. But I am not a go with the popular kinda guy. I am usually found going against the grain, marching to my own beat. The Durango helps me keep to what I do best, bucking the trends.
No vehicle is without its flaws, it’s Achilles heal. For the Durango and Dodge in general, it’s the transmission. Dodge is not known for strong reliable transmissions. I knew this going into it. And buying a used, high mileage vehicle is always a gamble. Once again, I knew this going in and was sure to take what precautions I could. I found mine local and made sure to go over it with a fine tooth comb before negotiating the selling price. It was listed for $1800 which I knew was high for its age and mileage. Then after pointing out everything I would need to fix or replace we finally agreed on $1200 with it being delivered to my house. That was close to 5 years ago now.
Phase 1 Maintenance
Now that I had it in my possession, the real work began. Maintenance. That’s right, maintenance was top priority. And of course, the more I did, the more I found. So the last 5 years have not been spent on the overland build as I expected, but rather catching up on years of neglected maintenance. Remember when I said buying a used vehicle was a gamble? Even the best looking ones have their hidden flaws.
Maintenance is, I think, more costly than the modifications I have planned to do. So far I’ve stuck to the factory tire size of 31×10.5R15 but plan on going to 33s with my next set of tires. To date all my maintenance has been on the front end of the truck, power steering pump, power steering hoses, steering gear box, tie rod ends, control arms, ball joints, coolant over flow reservoir, etc.
Planned future maintenance includes new torsion bars, leaf springs, shackles, torsion keys, seals and gaskets for the engine, axle fluid change, sorting out the play in my steering that still persists, some annoying electrical gremlins, etc. All the while keeping up with the regular maintenance like brakes, oil changes, wiper blades, etc.
Phase 2 Everything Else
Some modifications and upgrades have happened along the way. Some upgrades were a direct result of the maintenance process. You know, part needs replaced, so replace it with something better and more reliable. After all it had to be replaced anyway, right? Other things were just because I either already had the item or budget allowed me to get it sooner.
Like my CB radio, already had one and everything else needed, so it got installed one afternoon. While yet other mods happened out of shear curiosity like my paracord wrapped steering wheel. All in all, while it’s been slow progress, it’s been forward progress.
The light bar was cheap, I suspect it was a too good to be true Chinese deal. I got a 52′ double stacked LED bar, a 20′ double stacked LED bar, and 4 4′ pods all for apx $160 including shipping to my door. I don’t regret buying them, as it was only intended to be a test to see if I actually liked them and how they’d look on my vehicle. The fact I got almost 5 years outta them before they completely stopped working was a bonus. I didn’t expect more than 2 years. I’ll do a write up on the install of the 52′ bar another time.
I’ve also swapped out the stock incandescent bulbs for Red LEDs for the interior lighting. While I was at it, I swapped the dash lights for Red LEDs too.
- Completed Modifications
- Smoked headlights
- Light bar
- CB radio
- Red interior lighting
- LED light pods
- Offroad tires
- Roof rack
- Hi lift jack
- Speakers upgraded
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
As previously stated, no vehicle is without it’s flaws. When I bought my 1998 Durango, she had about 230,000 miles already on the clock. I’ve had to rebuild the transmission twice in the years I’ve had her. The second time was because of shadey work and faulty parts from the first time it was rebuilt.
- Pros
- Tough, especially if you don’t get the 4.7L engine it doesn’t have the best reputation
- 4×4, goes anywhere I point the nose
- Cargo room to spare, at least for my purposes
- 5000lb tow capacity
- Body on frame build
- Cons
- Weak transmission
- Old school drum brakes in rear, changed in 2003 to disk brakes in rear
- Virtually no aftermarket following for offroading parts
- Most offroad related mods will have to be custom
- On the fence
- Independent front suspension live axle in rear combo
- Torsion bar front suspension leaf spring rear combo
- Curb weight of 4,689 lb (2,127 kg)
What’s Next?
Well what’s next is yet to be determined. It honestly boils down to what’s needed and what the budget will allow for. I have alot of stuff I would like to do, most I’ll eventually get around to, and as the build evolves, some things that will be abandoned in favor of a better idea.
My to do list on the build is ever evolving as new gear and technology come about. So even if I get everything checked off on the list tomorrow, it’ll never truly be complete, there will ALWAYS be something to upgrade to the latest, greatest version.
As of now, though, I’m going to continue with the maintenance list while adding in a few mods as I can fit them in. I should be replacing my seals and gaskets in the engine as soon as I can find the time. Next time I drop her off to my mechanic, the lift kit should be in along with a new lower ball joint. Yes that’s right, some things I do myself and some I take to a trusted mechanic to do. I know my limitations with the time and tools I have.
Final Thoughts
From my personal experience, the Dodge Durango is an amazing yet underrated, highly capable off-road vehicle. I love mine, even in its unmodified, original factory setup it’s just as capable as the more popular Jeep line.
The Durango is perfect for my needs. I plan to own one, hopefully this one, till the day I die.
Is the Durango right for you? I don’t know. Only you can answer that question with any amount of certainty. If you decide to get a Durango, do your due diligence and put the book time in to know exactly what you want, you’ll be alot happier with your purchase for years to come.
The Wandering Leatherneck 