Off Road Daily Driver

4x4RE

Active Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2008
Location
Carova Beach
I've got a 2000 Durango with a 4.7 in it. I'm logging about 18miles of driving through sand daily. Any sugestions on things to do to keep her from going to the service station too often?
 
a case of undercoating cans after you have press washed the underside. When I cared about mine I would spray the entire underside with armor all or silicone tire shine. Worked for a week or so.
In your case living there full time I would learn not to care:flipoff2:
 
Well the truck just went away on a flat bed. It looks like the air filter box had poped loose from a bump and sand had found its way in. $200 towing bill and I can't wait to hear what the repair bill is going to be.
Anybody want a used Durango cheap? :)
 
With that much sand, keep everything washed down and lubricated well, and service/check your filters, u-joints, balljoints and wheel bearings regularly. My 2002 Durango has seen more than it's fair share of sand/salt air, with no big issues. Being that your truck is exposed everyday you will find that all the bearings, joints, and any other moving parts will wear faster, and rust will acumulate anywhere there's bare metal QUICKLY! This goes for pretty much anything you own/buy/operate in those conditions.

With sand in the intake you can pretty much figure on an engine replacement or rebuild, 4.7's are plentiful in salvage yards with low miles and can be had with a 1 year warranty for a little extra $ which is well worth it. Unfortunately a used 4.7 will normaly fetch between $2000-3200 from an average salvage yard. Plus your mechanics labor to install it if you're not into swapping engines. So I would definately see if a rebuild is doable for less money.
 
man I don't know how you do it out there. We just got back from Carova for a week and the damage from everyone there went alil like this

1 destroyed shock
1 destroyed leaf
my jeep is sputtering and poppin codes
buddies yj had a hole ripped in his exhaust
2 ripped off flares
and saw 1 h2 with a dead front axle (I'll post pics later on that one lol)
 
raleighjeepguy said:
man I don't know how you do it out there. We just got back from Carova for a week and the damage from everyone there went alil like this
1 destroyed shock
1 destroyed leaf
my jeep is sputtering and poppin codes
buddies yj had a hole ripped in his exhaust
2 ripped off flares
and saw 1 h2 with a dead front axle (I'll post pics later on that one lol)
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I know what you mean. I've had to learn to calm down and be more careful in my driving. The beach is at its worst June July & August when the tourists come down to "play on the beach". Also they don't bother to drop their tire pressure which I've been told is what causes the "washboard" effect in the sand. In the off season you can hit 50MPH cruising down there pretty easy.
 
I know what you mean. I've had to learn to calm down and be more careful in my driving. The beach is at its worst June July & August when the tourists come down to "play on the beach". Also they don't bother to drop their tire pressure which I've been told is what causes the "washboard" effect in the sand. In the off season you can hit 50MPH cruising down there pretty easy.
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Well it doesn't help we were pretty far up the beach. We took some "tours" that put us through some pretty nasty holes. I just got out from under the jeep and have a broken trans mount, my clutch is crying, and I'm throwing some nastiness in code land. My buddy about literally ripped his exhaust in half and the xterra that was with us about destroyed every shock. Prob doesn't help we were getting on it pretty good in the deep sections with 10-15 cases of beer, 3-4 people a car, and a weeks worth of luggage for each person. I've got stock springs soa and my right rear is completely bowed up now. Overall especially loved this trip and honestly am thinking of moving out there lol.
 
raleighjeepguy said:
Well it doesn't help we were pretty far up the beach. We took some "tours" that put us through some pretty nasty holes. I just got out from under the jeep and have a broken trans mount, my clutch is crying, and I'm throwing some nastiness in code land. My buddy about literally ripped his exhaust in half and the xterra that was with us about destroyed every shock. Prob doesn't help we were getting on it pretty good in the deep sections with 10-15 cases of beer, 3-4 people a car, and a weeks worth of luggage for each person. I've got stock springs soa and my right rear is completely bowed up now. Overall especially loved this trip and honestly am thinking of moving out there lol.
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Let me know when your ready & we can meet at my home office. I'm about a mile north of the fire station.
 
raleighjeepguy said:
As soon as Ed shows up with my check or they start doing alot of industrial/heavy commercial electrical work out there I will haha.
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Hey! They're supposed to start construction on the Mid-Currituck Bridge at the beginning of the year. That might involve some industrial/heavy comercial eletrical work? As for Ed, I'll have to work on that one yet. :)
 
Any news on the repairs?

Wash alot, buy black rust stop paint and paint as much as you can under the truck, keeps everything clean, and regular checks under the hood.

Another thing is regular oil and filter changes!! Even when the air filter isn't damaged your going to get sand problems.
 
Well...the and got sucked out. Then a plastic gromet broke to the 4WD linckage. The truck is still running and now that the loose sand is tarting to go back out to sea, I should be good for a while. But I have learned that if you are going to live in Carova year round you should have a back up vehicle.
 
Sorry, I just noticed you have a 2000 Durango. I pretty much know that there are no aftermarket snorkels available for it. Maybe buy a 4 door Jeep rubicon JK and put a snorkel on it. You may need a snorkel anyhow with hanna coming.
 
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