Aside from the 2wd and 4wd having different perches and the gear ratio differences, if I found a second gen 4wd with the right ratio, will the rear swap DIRECTLY in place of mine? My truck blew its rear tonight, and hopefully tomorrow I can get this fixed up quick...

 

I don't know off the top of my head but if you can take a few measurements (overall width, spring spacing, etc.), I have a second gen rear axle in my garage that came out of my truck and I'd be happy to compare measurements for you.

If you want the parking brake cables to work, you'll also need to make sure you get one from a regular cab. They're not that difficult to change, though.

 

As far a I know yes but I've never really dug into it to much.

 

I was reading of this swap with second gen into first gen since it has larger rear brakes and a larger rear end, ... were I read it was a straight swap aslong as it same gearing and same truck 4x4- 4x4 or 2wd to 2wd.. apparently the ebrake goes right on and all I think I was at work when I found it.. since its not on this laptop :O and worked out to be like inch on both sides wider.. so it sits proper with front :O

 

Well thankfully I fixed it today, not hard at all, had a harder time finding the parts.
I pulled the cover and found some teeth on the magnet and one in the bottom of the rear. I blew out 4 teeth on a side gear which ate up the 2 spiders. I looked the ring and pinion over REAL careful and they had no marks on them, so I figured they're still good. So I set out to find a set of spider/side gears.... first typical box stores had nothing, then I called the dealer, they had nothing, tried napa (distribution center is attached to my local one so they have nearly EVERYTHING) and had no luck. Started calling the local mom and pop shops. There's a little place called Key Auto in Edison, I always come to them with hard to find old car stuff and they usually have an answer for me. Called them up and he says I don't have them and I don't know a source for them but here's a number, call him. I called and explained, he said "give me 10 mins and I'll check my attic then call you back." He calls back and says I think I have them, bring yours down and we'll match them up. So down I go to this little machine shop in a back garage and he has them! OEM Mopar gears from the 90's, he said, "$100. I'm never gonna use em, they're $178 new for the chinese junk."

Got home, cleaned the rear out REAL good, re assembled it and now all is well again.

 

Don't you just love when things work out like that?

 

Edited the above post, whoops, posted too soon by accident!