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One Of A Kind! 2006 Dodge Durango

A 2006 Dodge Durango is an unusual entry for Barn Finds. Why? Well, it’s a late model SUV, one of millions, and it has a sort of G.I. Joe vibe going on. But variety is said to be the spice of life, so why not, right? This Durango is located in Troy, Michigan and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $23,5000, reserve not yet met. Thanks to Patrick S. for this tip!

I owned a first-gen Durango and it wasn’t a bad car. A bit under-engineered but it managed to run up 200K miles with minimal trouble until it got K.O.’d by an armed carjacker in L.A. It was green and called “Hank the Tank” by virtue of its color and its occasional run-in with cars of lesser mass where Hank always seemed to come out on top. But as far as the “tank” resemblance goes, Hank had nothing of today’s subject. BTW, the second generation of the Durango (2004-2009), a “must succeed” vehicle according to Daimler-Chrysler’s then CEO Dieter Zetsche, ended up less successful than its predecessor. While gen-one averaged 126,600 vehicles per year (1998-2003), gen-two ponied up about 70K per year but production trailed off sharply starting in 2007. Overall, not too shabby really, but not what was anticipated either. The 2009 Durango was quietly discontinued in December 2008, leaving a shuttered assembly plant in Newark, Delaware, and no Durango until the 2011 model year version surfaced. Rumors of its pending demise continue but there is a 2021 model in the slim Dodge line-up.

The seller claims that this Durango is a, “One of a Kind Military Style Power Wagon & WC53 Carryall Tribute “Military Style” Special Build- You won’t see another one! … design(ed) and built by Advanced Automotive Technologies (AAT) to create a military transport style vehicle“. I suppose the next question is why? This 4X4 Durango, other than its cosmetic appearance, with its front and rear heavy-duty winches, and over-sized tires and wheels is mechanically no different than any other 2006 Durango. The modifications appear to have been excellently facilitated, and this Durango certainly won’t look like any other in the carpool line, but it is basically just an olive drab, four-wheel-drive Dodge Durango at heart.

Under the hood is the commonly found 335 HP, 5.7 liter “Hemi” V8 engine with an automatic transmission that is connected to a four-wheel-drive, two-speed, transfer case. At 54K miles, this Hemi should have a lot of life left to it. There is no description of how this SUV runs, rides, and drives but it’s probably similar to any other second-gen Durango though the oversized tires may have changed the ride and handling characteristic a bit.

The interior is in very clean condition but it is standard Durango all the way – lots of grays. The biggest complaint that I had with my 2003 SXT Durango were in fact, the seats. They were junk, with zero padding, cheap fabric/vinyl, and completely shot by 100K miles. Fortunately, the ones in this G.I. version appear to be much nicer pieces. The interior’s overall condition is like new.

I don’t notice second-gen Durangos very often, it seems that I still see more of the first-gen but most of those are pretty shaky looking these days. This 2006, with its Power Wagon motif, is not one that would be easily missed, however. And if you are serious about doing some off-roading, this Dodge appears to be ready for action and would probably be a standout for more reasons than just its appearance, don’t you think?

Comments

  1. Avatar Mitchell Gildea Member

    I dub thee “General Disarray”

    Like 12
  2. Avatar JACKinNWPA Member

    Did you know that you can rearrange the letters in Durango to spell “on a drug” ? just saying.

    Like 22
    • Avatar Eric B

      Makes sense and would describe most of their owners, at least around me. I recently was in an accident with one that was driving like a maniac.

      Like 2
  3. Avatar angliagt Member

    Just what some people need for going off-road at the mall.

    Like 17
  4. Avatar Dave

    Someone needs to say a nice job was done here. The front should become the new standard appearance. Well done.

    Like 21
    • Avatar CJinSD

      Absolutely. The time for pedestrian-friendly front ends is behind us. I still find it hard to believe that anyone really bid $23,500. And if they really did, it would be a special kind of intersection of silly that would cause for the bid to not be accepted.

      Like 3
  5. Avatar Ike Onick

    “One Of A Kind!”

    A small blessing.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Mike2

      “You won’t see another one!”

      Is that a promise?

      Like 2
  6. Avatar Deeper

    Why no photos more from the front?

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Fahrvergnugen Member

    Not my cuppa. Hippoparkamus.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar AMCFAN

    A cool build. Taking a mundane Durango and making a retro Power Wagon is certainly a different spin on life. If this is an actual kit will save a few otherwise vehicles sure for a quick demise. The junkyards are full of them now.

    My concern is rust being from the MI area . Still a cool build. I do think for the price bid right now I would be at caution. Too many other interesting vehicles at that price I would rather have. Most likely the owner is only fishing,

    But what do I know? I do not go off road for any reason other than maybe on foot. To look at vintage iron. I don’t want wild animals in my house and I do not want to hunt them and tear up theirs. The only outdoors I know is in the garage.

    Like 4
  9. Avatar Mike Henry

    It’s always fun to take one of the least dependable vehicles ever made and somehow make it look tough. Surprisingly, no one has tried this with a Pinto wagon.

    Like 0
    • Avatar 370zpp Member

      Mike, I take issue with your assertion that the Pinto was “one of the least dependable vehicles ever made”. Mine never was on the end of tow truck. And the one time when the (manual) shift lever broke off, I simply grabbed the vise grips out of my tool box in the back, clamped it on and drove home.
      The term “least dependable vehicles ever made” could apply to so many others.

      Like 8
  10. Avatar Steve Clinton

    If you can’t say something nice…

    Like 3
  11. Avatar Jeff Mitchell

    At least this builder didn’t put go faster stripes, A stupid looking supercharger sticking through the bonnet (hood for you colonials). It’s plain different and could easily be spotted in a car park and not confused with the other jelly moulds around. I agree with previous comments, a tad overpriced ,but a good prototype for a bolt on kit

    Like 4
  12. Avatar Mike

    I usually only read the comments for a laugh but come on, a 3500 pound ATV winch from Harbor Freight is heavy duty, really…

    Like 4
    • Avatar Rspcharger

      Agreed, that was the first thing I noticed as well as those crappy looking welds around it. At best he can pull a ATV out of the muck.

      Like 1
  13. Avatar Howard Ross

    I kinda like it, very creative. Wish haters had to post a pic of their own car – probably a lot of econo-boxes with giant wings !

    Like 5
    • Avatar Ike Onick

      It’s not worth $50 to show you a car.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Eric B

      I hate it and do not own an econo-box with giant wings (multiple wings?). I’d take one over this though. Also, a lot of those cars that you think are econo-boxes, just might be able to blow your doors off.

      Like 0
  14. Avatar Greg McCarthy

    ATV Winch LoL….

    Like 4
  15. Avatar Lance

    Almost looks Russian.

    Like 5
  16. Avatar hatofpork

    A whole Lada SUV?

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Glenn C. Schwass Member

    I like it. Not a big fan of them since we had them at work and they didn’t take field service abuse well, but for a normal grocery getter , it might work. We went to Chevy trucks next and they did much better than the Mopar trucks and these. We’re going back to Rams now, so we’ll see how they do. They really too big now but it’s a free ride…

    Like 0
  18. Avatar ChingaTrailer

    Stuff like this makes the world more interesting, more fun.

    Like 2
  19. Avatar JimmyJ

    Looks like the winch on my quad!
    As for my truck it’s got a 10000 pounder
    Trying to mimic the concept power wagon which is actually very cool looking but this one missed the mark.
    It’ll never sell at that price

    Like 1
  20. Avatar Kevin

    Not sure why people have to post all the negative comments ,it’s not our place to criticize someone else’s selling price. In my mind that will hinder the sale to someone seriously interested …. I hope it sells for as much as the seller wants and the buyer is happy with it too……
    …that said, I kinda like it it’s different. All the comments about the 3500 lb winch on the back is mostly gunna be used to help load a trailer. It’s got a 12,000lb winch on the front for anything serious…. to each his own

    Like 1
  21. Avatar Grimm

    Just to set the record straight… that 3500# winch appears to be integrated into the rear bumper. So, just a little bit of an extra that might come in handy from time to time…

    Like 0
  22. Avatar chrlsful

    the 285s ona 17 is a good one for off rd (8, 12 inch clearance under)? Not sure if AAT made plastic (all the grey/blk after mrkt ‘bolt ons’) or metal, can’t tell from here. Interesting treatment. I just got the boss a Badlands (his 12,000# failed & Harbor Freight gave him a new 1 free 5 yrs later) & yeah a 2T will geta sled up for trailering home from some sno if dead. I like that it gives a nod to the real deal. Not sure if this is a ‘concept tester’ or not. Any poser can B laughed at (like to see the frnt wheel further ahead in the fender) but props 4 da try (w/o forgettin what vehicle it’s on). Not for me but still interesting…

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Gord

    looks more like a volvo “sugga” up front (sugga means sow in swedish!)

    https://selectmilitaryvehicles.co.uk/product/volvo-tp-21-command-car-sugga/

    not sure how to post a photo, sorry!

    Like 0

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