My 1998 durango at times acts like the timing is off when tring to start it wheather its hot or cold

Possible bad coolant temp sensor?

could be a thermostat sticking at times or a heat sensor relay ..I am willing to bet if you change the thermostat it will solve this

Thermostat

Repair your vehicle right away. Just click on the link I attached
1998 dodge durango

Backfiring is a great symptom because you know what the problem is right away. It seems to be a timing issue. Crankshaft positioning sensor, distributor, electronic ignition, etc. Diagnose your problem concentrating on anything to do with timing. Vehicle just don't just don't jump timing unless something goes wrong of someone does work to it recently. If it backfires from the the exhaust you timing is advance and if it backfires from the intake it's retarded. It's is your firing timing.

Inside thermostat is probably sticking.

The blower has debris in it. It need to be remove and clean out. How do you remove the dash board. See no screws.

i have a 1998 nissan maxima when the engine is cold the engine will cut off when you first crank it. It will cut off but i can usually get it going the second time. After engine warms up car runs great. Why does this occur

The circuit is expanding in hot wheather to the point where it is broken. In cold whether circuits and circuit boards contract slightly, reconnecting a weak solder point. Do you have an intermittant check engine light? Is it constantly on? If so new problems can arise, but the check engine light will not tell you about any new issues, it simply remains on. Get it diagnosed at any shop with any OBD2 interface to diagnose your cars specific issues. If not, just save time and replace the starter. It's probably different from engine to engine...you either have a 3.0 liter vulcan V6 or the zoomier 24 valve V6. Call the parts counter at any ford dealer and say the right things and the parts guy may tip you off on known issues. I had a 96 24v..it was a pile.