2017 Durango GT AWD

[srotier]

My current DD is the Durango, I have a 2021 Bronco on reservation. The Durango is due for new tires, so naturally I want to ditch the “Touring” tires and began looking for A/T’s that will fit. The more I get into looking for the right fit, I feel like I should look into a small lift to squeeze 275’s in instead of the 265/50R20 that are currently OEM on it. It is AWD, but it is a single speed transfer case with a 50/50 split on the AWD. Will I be throwing away money to try to make this more capable? I’m not going to rock crawl but I would like to make it capable to get to some better camp spots. We love the DD for our family because of the third row. We can put the kids in the back when GMa and GPa want to come along for a day trip. From what I’ve found the 3rd Gen Durango is built on a “stretched” WK2 platform, so there are a few mods available to bolt on (skids and 2.5” lift). Will my inability to get low gears on demand keep me from making it a reliable off road (moderate trail) capable rig?

 

[diabetiktaco]

You'd be better off ditching the 20"s all together. I'm not sure what size wheel clears the caliper on that truck but if you can downsize to a 17" wheel you'll get more sidewall out of whatever tire you choose. I doubt you'd need a lift on that but if you can fit a 17" wheel with some duratracs you'd be 100% better off. I wouldn't personally try to lift a durango. Your still limited with lack of skids, sliders, etc. If it were me, I'd wait for the bronco and just drive the durango until then.

 

[srotier]

You'd be better off ditching the 20"s all together. I'm not sure what size wheel clears the caliper on that truck but if you can downsize to a 17" wheel you'll get more sidewall out of whatever tire you choose. I doubt you'd need a lift on that but if you can fit a 17" wheel with some duratracs you'd be 100% better off. I wouldn't personally try to lift a durango. Your still limited with lack of skids, sliders, etc. If it were me, I'd wait for the bronco and just drive the durango until then.

Thanks! I was thinking the same thing, it's so hard to find A/T's for 265's with the 20" rims. They are OEM rims, smaller rims would allow for more sidewall and probably a little less worry when airing down. There are a few people out there using Grand Cherokee (WK2) skid plates to cover the important stuff (oil pan, transmission, gas tanks and transfer case) they all fit with the same instructions for the WK2. I was trying to stay away from a lift, it is a Daily Driver and we do take it on longer on road trips, with less than 8" of ground clearance, it will force me to pick superb lines! Thanks for the input.