some where around there. for rpm. Gear ratio should be listed in the glove box too.

 

What does it matter if its from a 2wd or 4wd? i found one on craigslist. its a 12 bolt with 3.92 gears. http://albany.craigslist.org/pts/1480151532.html

will it work?

 

That is 2wd and it should work. Good deal too!

The difference between 2wd and 4x4 on the dakotas is that the 2wds were sprung axle over leafs, and the 4x4s were sprung leafs over axle. If you got a 4x4 axle, the spring perches would be on the top instead of the bottom, but looking in that picture it appears that the perches are on the bottom so you're good to go.

 

Awesome. Thank you everyone. This guy has been trying to sell this for awhile. Just on the first page of my search that axle was posted about 4 times. Price WAS over 400. We'll see how much lower he is willing to go.

Also, is there anyway to tell if this is an lsd rear without opening it up? If not what do i look for when i do open it to change the fluid?

 

You can turn one axle and see if the other axle turns the same way or the opposite way. If it turns the same way, its LSD, if it turns the opposite way, its open.

If you want to open it up and look at it, print out those pictures I posted earlier in this thread cause the carriers are shaped different. Otherwise, look for the clutches the LSD has:

DSCN0297.jpg?t=1259190742

As for the fluid, if its open, fill it up with gear oil. If it's LSD, you need to add friction modifier.

 

Awesome. You can get that friction modifier at any part store? Any certain brand fluid you guys recommend? Nothing crazy like lucas or royal purple.

 

Yeah, it usually comes in a 7 oz bottle and will be on the shelves next to the gear oil. The FSM calls for 5 oz of it. Any GL-5 75W-90 gear oil is good. You'll need to buy 3 quarts, but you'll only use about 2 and a quarter of those. Fill it to the bottom of the fill hole. As long as you aren't parked down hill, you can't overfill the differential.

 

So, i picked up the rear end and when i put it in i planned on changing the fluid and gasket. I looked it up on napas website and pep boys just to get a rough idea of cost. Both of them only have gaskets for the front axle.

Is it the same gasket or is it different?

 

No need for a gasket, a thin layer of RTV is plenty.

 

i got the old U bolts off with no problem. can they be reused or do you HAVE to use new ones?

i was just thinking, since the new rear end is bigger then the new one. i need bigger U bolts and a different bottom plate (what the U bolts go into) right?