I'm looking at buying a 1997 Dakota sport- 4X4- 5 spd manual -5.2 ltr V-8, with factory installed tow package. I need to pull my boat that weighs 4,600 pounds. I think that year they put three different axel ratios on the manual dakotas. Theguy I'mbuying it from doesn't know which one it has. Is there a fast way to figureit out. I just need to be sure it can pull my boat. Thoughts?

 

It's in the glove box on the tag on mine?

 

Yup in the glove box or if for some reason the sticker is gone you can climb underneath and read the tag on the rear diff. I would just get the build sheet from the dealer though you will get all the info you are looking for then. A little FYI if it is a factory installed tow package chances are it has the 3.93's.

 

3.92, but close enough.

Here's the easiest way:
Put the truck in 4th gear.
Release parking brake.
Mark crank pully.
Push truck forward 1 full revolution of the tires.
Calculate how far the mark has gone around. It should be 3.92 times or 3.55 times.

 

I always keep thinking 3.93's no matter how muich the right numbers are thrown at me. In any case you know what I mean.

 

My ram came with 4.10 up front and 4.11 out back, from the factory. I think it would be safe to say that there might be a 3.93 available for some axle, but the late model Chryslers are all 3.92. >shrug<

 

[sm=WTFsgign.gif]... that doesnt make any logical sense but alrighty then

 

umm yea thats what i was thinking, how did that work out???

 

my 82 ram had that too.