Well I bought a second dodge ram while my 99 dodge ram 1500 had the tranny down and I was working on it. I now have a 97 dodge ram 2500 that I picked up for $500 it didn't run or start but now it works great after some work. I am wondering how hard an axle swap is? I am getting a little confused on the driveshaft yokes and perch mounts? Also is it possible just to replace the rear axle instead of both? For the rear axle I need to swap yokes now is that just disconnecting the end of the driveshaft ( between ujoint and bell housing) that goes into the bell housing or the whole shaft has to swap? Also will my current leaf springs be able to mount to the perches?
And also might be a little weird but can I put the Chrysler 9.25 on the 2500?
I would like to do the front axle as well if possible. However if I can only do one right now and don't do the other will that be ok? ( I know I wouldn't be able to use 4wd.)


Thanks

 

Are you talking about putting the 1500 axles on a 2500????

 

Haha just did the 2500 axle swap. Why would you want a 9.25 under a 2500? Anyways, everything bolts in including the brake lines. The only thing that may have to be modified is the sway bar which is an easy fix to. Make sure your gear ratios match up to before using 4x4. Axle swap is not that hard, I did mine with 2 floor jacks and tires and mine is lifted 12 inches jaja the fun the fun. For the rear axle you may have to get new perches, notch the perches for your u bolts to fit, or take the springs and hangars off the 2500. I ended up re welding 2.5 perches on for mine. The drive shaft will also have to be modified. I had to cut my down 1.5 inches. The yoke and u joint on the drive shafts are smaller on the 9.25 than the rear of 2500 so you will also have to compensate for that. Brakes on mine matched right up. Thats for your 1500 to 2500 axle swap.

 

Yes you can do one at a time. I rolled around on Dana 70 8 lug rear and 5 lug in the front for about a week. Since you are swapping 2500 axles under your 1500. The rear axle you are going to have to either weld on new perches, take off the whole 2500 suspension (leaf springs and hangers), or notch the perches so that the ubolts fit with an angle grinder or something. For the driveshaft you are going to need to have the yoke from the 2500 welded to your 1500 driveshaft, or you are going to need a new custom driveshaft. Any driveshaft shop should be able to do that for you. Please beware that the axle under your 2500 has a bigger housing so you may have to cut down the 1500 driveshaft by 1.5 inch or 2 inches before you weld the 2500 yoke on. If you have any questions or need assistance let us know. I have very detailed pictures of both swaps.

 

We'll the 2500 truck is pretty rough just needed it temporarily. But would still like to keep it working so the 1500 axles would go on the 2500. So i would need to grind the perches to allow the 1500 ubolts to hold the axle? The 1500 does have a complete suspension lift just blocks in the back but the front has longer control arms.

 

Im still confused. Is your goal to swap 2500 hundred axles to the 1500 and drive that? Or the other way around?


I have a whole write up on the Dana 60 swap on this site. Just search for it. No you can't grind u bolts or whatever he was talking about. You can put 3in perches on 2.5in springs, or vice versa. Especially not vice versa.


You gotta grind the perches off and weld new 2.5in ones on the 60. Or remove the hangars and use 2500 springs, hangars and axles. That's the two options.

I would never recommend cutting reliefs on a perch just to hold smaller leaf springs........

 

Your wanting to put 1500 axles on a 2500 its the same story. The Front axle bolts on with modification of the sway bar and steering damper. Now for the rear axle you will have to address some issues:
1. Perches - The 1500 axles are 2.5 inches and 2500 are 3 inches. You want to put 1500 axles under your 2500. So 2.5 under 3inch. Because of this you will have to take off the 1500 Leafs,hangars (suspension) basically. Or you can have a 3inch perch welded onto the 1500 axle. (Weld on 3 inch perches) ( Swap the 1500 Leaf springs hangers into the 2500)

2. Driveshaft - This is important. You will need a new driveshaft or have the 1500 yoke welded onto the 2500 drivehshaft, In this case (someone can clarify) you may need to have a driveshaft lengthen. The reason is the 2500 diff housing is bigger and the 1500 is smaller. In this case you will need to extend the driveshaft or buy new. Again (someone can clarify) I dont know if driveshaft shops even extend driveshafts. Knowing the wheelbase between trucks would help.

Its a little hard to answer your question. what is the wheel base on the 2500? Longbed regular cab? shortbed extended cab? longbed extended cab? What engine size is it? I understand you want both trucks operating.

 

The main goal is to get the 1500 running with the 2500 axles under it. I cant weld though so Im out of luck in that area. If I can get the 2500 to have the 1500 axles that would be good too if not its not a big deal Ill just part it out.
The 99 dodge ram 1500 ext cab is short bed 5.2l 4wd
the 97 dodge ram 2500 ext cab is long bed 5.9l 4wd

 

The main reason I am considering this swap is because my front axle sucks and always has either bad u joints or ball joints and I have used spicer and moog. Also is this a kit that would include what I need I don't quite understand what it has?
http://www.barnes4wd.com/Dana-60-Rea...mbo_p_130.html

 

If you can't weld, that isn't going to help you, perches and shock mounts need to be welded on.

I think the spring hangars on the 2500 are just riveted in place. You could cut the rivets, then use some grade 8 hardware to bolt them to the 1500 frame. (drilling required)