KnightRoller

I finally got around to changing out the wheels and tires on my wifes 20013 SXT.
The wheels are 20x8.5 +34 Hyper Black SRT8 replicas by H--Performance Designs.
The tires are Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 255/45R20.
There are no issues with rubbing and I love the look. 

A few more pics

And on a sour note, the PTU went out and is not being covered under warranty due to the oversized wheels and tires to a tune of approximately $1,800. Ouch

Plenty of issues? Thats a bit scary to read! LOL

Its always good to hear about a high miles vehicle finding a good home. So often they are bought for beaters and driven like throw-away towels. For many years while my kids were growing up, a Mopar minivan was a staple for our brood. It was truly the most versatile, utilitarian and easy on the wallet at the gas pump than so many other choices. We didn't do any towing so that was never a factor but we haul plenty of kids, band gear, crafts and home items than you could shake a stick at. Just one more reason I think I feel a kindred spirit when I drive a Journey. As far as the drivetrain, my 3.6 powered 200S is a hoot to drive and it still delivers great mpg despite my heavy foot. I'm sure the 3.6 AWD will be a bit less frugal but I'm prepared for that reality. Good luck with your DJ and long may she roll!

The DJ was the spiritual successor to the Short-bed Dodge Caravan (It's why the rear doors open 89 degree outward, allowing comparable utility)
Most CUV's will never go Off Road, and the DJ probably shouldn't either. I've taken it over a few low curbs and let's just say it's not set up at all of off-road (low ground clearance, llllloonggg wheelbase, poor turn radius).
 
The 2011+ Dodge Journey Interior is perfection. FCA killed it (good) with the design which holds up very well today nearly 10 years later. Uconnect is a great UI and one of the best and easiest to use on the market even today.
 
The best thing about the DJ is the 3.6 Pentastar. just shy of 300hp (yeah yeah 280hp) will get that thing rolling pretty fast for a minivan. DO NOT GET THE 4cyl. The drawback is the DJ isn't efficient. Don't get your hopes up that this thing will save you money on fuel. 18 average. 27 hwy. 16 cty. Best i did was at 70 mph across Canada dead flat on cruise control for 4 hours non- stop and got her up to 29mpg on regular (A/C Off, Windows UP). (while resetting the clock after reaching speed)
 
There is truth in the bad press, but also benofit. The DJ is cheap. CHEAPO !!! . Try buying a 2013 RAV-4 will 60k miles for under 10K. Impossible. DJ? Here is one with 40k and it's only $8k. Why? People think the DJ is worst, that the driving experience is sluggish and it feels like a minivan- And that's the point. IT is supposed to be like that. I like the soft smooth ride more than my parent's bouncy hyper-reliable-Highlander (which has been in the shop 4x since new) which costs 2x more. This cheapness is why I got the Journey. Dollar per car, it's really hard to beat the DJ. 

The parts for the DJ are comparable inexpensive, as in true FCA fashion, they like to use old parts and old architecture on their cars as long as possible.

I put from 30k miles to 100k miles on my Journey. Major repairs have been replacing the alternator at 90k miles, and changing the rotors at 65k miles. I change the oil when the computer tells me and I use 100% Synth, but the cheapest name-brand stuff i can get.

Sounds like it’s time to commit and buy one! I just picked up a 2020 SE with the Blacktop package for nearly $11 grand off the sticker. All that aside I think the Journey is pretty competent and can still stay toe to toe with its rivals. I prefer its styling to the more Pontiac Aztec styling of most modern crossovers. Anyways best of luck on your next purchase! 

Hello all, new here and to the DJ fam. Bought a 2015 Limited and so far so good. Had to replace the blend actuator and the thermostat within the first 2 weeks. Other than that it's been pretty peachy. Thanks for having me.

Hello all!
I just bought a 2009 Dodge Journey that needs a bit (or a lot?) of TLC.
I hope to get some hints & tricks from fellow 2009 Dodge Journey 4cyl FWD owners!

Hi everyone! I have actually been on the forum for a little bit, but I haven’t had a chance to get a good photo of the Journey so we could do an introduction post. I used to work at a DCJRF dealer and I have even completed several UConnect training courses. I want to use what I know to help with any questions or problems someone may have. Now back to the Journey.  I decided to go with the SE with the preferred equipment over the Crossroad just because I knew it would be less to tear up down the road and mainly I found a great deal on this one! Anyway, glad to be here! 

he item John/Horace mentioned are indeed worth 40hp. Higher compression alone can deliver that but the better flow from the valvetrain is huge. When I was younger, everyone wanted to throw a cam in their V8 for more power and that unique sound....plus is was certainly good for more ponies when the revs got higher up. The VVT delivers the best of both worlds with smooth operation, good torque and fuel mpg at low revs while the cam phasers upon up big flow above 3-4k rpm to pour on the power. My 3.6 with a K&N intake howls like a demon above 4k when its really breathing deep.
As he also mentioned, getting big bumps from your 3.5 could be costly with forced induction being the fastest way to lots of extra muscle. The twin intakes and dual TBs on the 300 Special could add some but fitting it on a FWD set up could be tricky. A larger throttle body and a tune can really wake up a vehicle. I'd explore that route first. The Pacifica (previous to the minivan) used a 4.0 SOHC in a transverse application. Maybe a 4.0 block with better induction?

BTW, there are little to no mods made specifically for my 2013 200s either but the K&N Typhoon kit for the same year Dodge Avenger bolted right on with zero problems. I suspect that kit might work just as well for the Journey. Also modernmusclextreme.com carries larger TBs and ported intakes, along with tuning pkgs for the 3.6

Hello all from Southeastern VA,
 
It's been a while since I was here last and once again I'm shopping for another vehicle. A couple other cars have been in the driveway since I was here before. I've always loved wagons and while my grand experience with a Journey SXT rental was certainly a strong influence, in the end I wound up with a Dodge Magnum instead. Unfortunately that proved to be a woeful choice. While Maggie was a lot of fun and was fantastic in her utility, the constant trips to the gas pump became tiresome. That kind of trade-off is fine if the car is a toy or second vehicle, but as a daily driver it got old in a hurry. Combine that with a never ending clunking of front end parts and I sent Maggie up the road.
I then wound up with a 2.0 EcoBoost Escape, which has also been a great vehicle but a little less than stellar in the mpg dept. However, not to the point that I want to send it away. My wife's car on the other hand is reaching its cliff, so I'll be passing the Escape over to her. This left me on the hunt for another wagon, and these days those choices are extremely slim. The Buick TourX has some nice attributes but is already out of production and I'm not so sure I want another turbo four cylinder. They have decent go-power but they lack the kind of sound that tickles my fancy. I also considered a Subaru Outback but found myself running down a long list of mods to make it less off-road basher and more on-road highway runner.
Then for few days my wife's car was in the shop, she had the Escape and I was driving my playtoy, a 2013 Chrysler 200S convertible. The thought slowly began to sink in, that the auto press called the 200 a cheap, unreliable, slow excuse for a car. Conclusions that I take sharp opposition against. Yes it weighs almost 4k lbs, but with 300hp it makes tracks. The K&N intake sounds amazing along with the Magnaflow exhaust. Slow it is not. They said mpg wasnt great, yet on three different road trips the car easily returns 27-29mpg...20-23 if I'm flogging it hard. It occurred to me that for all the bad press, the Dodge Journey is much the same. Why would I not want another car with this spirited drivetrain? While marketed as a CUV, the Journey seems to be more road machine than off-road adventurer, which is fine by me. I've read others that compare it to a quasi-minivan. To me and my rose glasses, I see a capable wagon with the bones for a great road machine...with virtually zero exterior mods needed (a more pronounced rear spoiler would be cool) So once again I'm browsing Autotrader and I'm happy to see so many with attractive prices...probably a result of FCA announcing 2020 as the swan song of the model to be replaced by a Stelvio sister ship. They ended my 200S vert too, but that doesnt make it any less special to me.

Its always good to hear about a high miles vehicle finding a good home. So often they are bought for beaters and driven like throw-away towels. For many years while my kids were growing up, a Mopar minivan was a staple for our brood. It was truly the most versatile, utilitarian and easy on the wallet at the gas pump than so many other choices. We didn't do any towing so that was never a factor but we haul plenty of kids, band gear, crafts and home items than you could shake a stick at. Just one more reason I think I feel a kindred spirit when I drive a Journey. As far as the drivetrain, my 3.6 powered 200S is a hoot to drive and it still delivers great mpg despite my heavy foot. I'm sure the 3.6 AWD will be a bit less frugal but I'm prepared for that reality. Good luck with your DJ and long may she roll!

Hello all from Southeastern VA,
 
It's been a while since I was here last and once again I'm shopping for another vehicle. A couple other cars have been in the driveway since I was here before. I've always loved wagons and while my grand experience with a Journey SXT rental was certainly a strong influence, in the end I wound up with a Dodge Magnum instead. Unfortunately that proved to be a woeful choice. While Maggie was a lot of fun and was fantastic in her utility, the constant trips to the gas pump became tiresome. That kind of trade-off is fine if the car is a toy or second vehicle, but as a daily driver it got old in a hurry. Combine that with a never ending clunking of front end parts and I sent Maggie up the road.
I then wound up with a 2.0 EcoBoost Escape, which has also been a great vehicle but a little less than stellar in the mpg dept. However, not to the point that I want to send it away. My wife's car on the other hand is reaching its cliff, so I'll be passing the Escape over to her. This left me on the hunt for another wagon, and these days those choices are extremely slim. The Buick TourX has some nice attributes but is already out of production and I'm not so sure I want another turbo four cylinder. They have decent go-power but they lack the kind of sound that tickles my fancy. I also considered a Subaru Outback but found myself running down a long list of mods to make it less off-road basher and more on-road highway runner.
Then for few days my wife's car was in the shop, she had the Escape and I was driving my playtoy, a 2013 Chrysler 200S convertible. The thought slowly began to sink in, that the auto press called the 200 a cheap, unreliable, slow excuse for a car. Conclusions that I take sharp opposition against. Yes it weighs almost 4k lbs, but with 300hp it makes tracks. The K&N intake sounds amazing along with the Magnaflow exhaust. Slow it is not. They said mpg wasnt great, yet on three different road trips the car easily returns 27-29mpg...20-23 if I'm flogging it hard. It occurred to me that for all the bad press, the Dodge Journey is much the same. Why would I not want another car with this spirited drivetrain? While marketed as a CUV, the Journey seems to be more road machine than off-road adventurer, which is fine by me. I've read others that compare it to a quasi-minivan. To me and my rose glasses, I see a capable wagon with the bones for a great road machine...with virtually zero exterior mods needed (a more pronounced rear spoiler would be cool) So once again I'm browsing Autotrader and I'm happy to see so many with attractive prices...probably a result of FCA announcing 2020 as the swan song of the model to be replaced by a Stelvio sister ship. They ended my 200S vert too, but that doesnt make it any less special to me.

You sound like me a few years ago when I had 5 vehicles in the driveway with only two drivers. We're down to 4 vehicles, with 4 drivers, and after a slew of different cars the DJ has been very good to me and most of the drivers in my home also enjoy my DJ over their cars. Although I do keep looking at the Durango now that the Explorer changed its body style. Only because I'm looking for more towing power. 
 
Good luck on your hunt. 

They make my white halogen fog lights look yellow. 
 

Thanks I really think they did a good job designing these. I read about issues with heater controls and finicky transmission shifting but I’ve seen worse in other makes. I enjoy the comfort and visibility the Journey gives me. It feels safe and is fun to drive.  I think my favorite complaint I’ve read so far is the one that says “ when it rains and I open my door I get wet “ Makes me smile every time ... lol  I look forward to learning much from the more experienced than I on this forum and who knows maybe one day I’ll figure something out that helps someone. For now I could not be happier with my Journey.  

My daughter wanted a Jeep Wrangler so we bought her a Dodge Journey .... lol. That  went over ok as the Journey seems to be a great car. But she longed for a Jeep still and we were blessed to find a good deal on one. So now I’m driving the Journey and I could not be happier. I don’t understand all the negative reviews .... mine runs well and is very comfortable. What can I say I like it just fine !!!!

Plenty of issues? Thats a bit scary to read! LOL

I was thinking of something like this unit I put on our 2013 Escape which attached right over top of the factory unit, just extending it a few inches. I wasnt shooting for radical wing or airfoil type. (Actually I was curious if this same unit might fit with a little modding?) Measuring will be required 

Here is my exhaust I just got done sound clips to come 

Just for info sake if anyone else wants to know, I found this on wheel-size.com
Stock 17x6.5/ +44
R/T-SXT 19x7/ +40
Plus sizes...
19x8/ +35
20x8/ +35
Good starting point numbers...obviously open to personal variants! LOL I'm just surprised how limited the aftermarket choices are in the 5x5 bolt pattern.

That is looking good...aggressive...I like! Thanks for the pics (diggin' the color too btw)
Do we know the stock specs on those rims? width & offset?

I'm guessing most R/T will be AWD? The rental I had was FWD and it handled mountain roads and some foul weather just fine. I loved the 8.4 Uconnect...much nicer than the one in my 2011 vert. I've added a K&N intake and Summit chambered muffs and the sound/power is too much fun.
Which models come without the 3rd row seating? Or is that just a "check box" option on all? That feels like added weight also for something seldom used.
I also posted in the Wheel/tire section about aftermarket rims...or should I have asked that here since I'm not an owner yet?