I called my local dodge dealership asking about the front axle rating on my 1993 D250. He told me that it is rated at 5500lbs. He speculates that I have a 4000lb knuckle/spindle. Ok. well why is it that all of the parts that i can find are 3300lb? Am I missing something? The door sticker says 3000lb (1691KG), the vin pulls 5500, parts guy for dodge says 4000, and I can only fine 3300. WTF?

 

You gotta give us your vehicle info. Go to the UserCP and edit your details or your signature with your vehicle information so we know what you're driving. Makes it a lot easier.

 

Ok I did that, but here is the run down anyway. 1993 D250 with the Magnum 3.9. It came from the factory with HD suspension, brakes, rear-end ... Fun fact. 5 years ago when I had the coil springs replaced, it took them three trys. My VIN pulls parts from dakota - 1 ton trucks. And has alot of ambiguity when denoting ratings for components. In this specific case, there is not description of the knuckles rating, only that the front end is rated for 5500LBS. Hope that helps

 

I've got a 1991 FSM and it shows a D250 with 3.9 having a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 7400lbs. A D150 has a GVWR of 5500lbs.

That being said, the front axle rating on mine is 3300lbs. I found that posted on a sticker under the hood on the top right.

What exactly constitutes a HD suspension on a D250 vs. D150 other than the coil springs, I don't know.

 

A light 250 uses the same axles as a 150 but changes the springs. A HD 250 has a beefier diff like the 350 and heavier springs.

Front axle rating is for the whole front end. The knuckle rating is for just the load capability of the knuckle. The knuckle rating only has to be slightly more than half of the front end rating as it only carries one half of the front load.

Having a heavy duty 250 with a V-6 from the factory doesn't make much sense to me.

 

I was little surprised myself but I did find the Standard base model for the 4x2 D250 with a 4-spd manual and the 4-spd auto as an option. I wonder what rear end it has.

 

I figured it out. It is a 3300LB setup. I new that the best way (for me to) figure it out, would be to buy the wheel bearings for the 4000LB and see if they fit. They definetly do NOT. So, ergo, it is a 3300LB. The knuckle is in the mail. Ironically enough, the 3300 are used in both the 150 and 250's. and the 4000LB are used exclusivley in the 250 with 318's and up. thanks for the help