04 Dakota Rear open diff so Posi swap
#1
04 Dakota Rear open diff so Posi swap
Hello, i am new to this forum and i am having a hard time finding the information i need. i have a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4x4 3.7 V6 Auto. and it currently has a 10 bolt rear axle with an open differential. now i have the option of getting a 2002 dodge dakota 2WD 4.7 V8 auto with a 12 bolt axle with a posi differential.
I have done the research on trying an axle swap, but the effort and money that is required to swap the 2wd axle to my 4x4 truck is more then what i would be paying for the truck. so my question is, will the differential itself, be able to swap from the 12 bolt axle to my 10 bolt axle? i do have all the required tools for such a job, but short of buying the truck, tearing apart the rear end and swapping it over and it doesnt fit, then i would have bought the truck for just the prospect of being able to do an engine swap.
if someone has any relevent knowledge about this topic it would be greatly appreciated.
I have done the research on trying an axle swap, but the effort and money that is required to swap the 2wd axle to my 4x4 truck is more then what i would be paying for the truck. so my question is, will the differential itself, be able to swap from the 12 bolt axle to my 10 bolt axle? i do have all the required tools for such a job, but short of buying the truck, tearing apart the rear end and swapping it over and it doesnt fit, then i would have bought the truck for just the prospect of being able to do an engine swap.
if someone has any relevent knowledge about this topic it would be greatly appreciated.
#2
#3
i doubt it would be cheaper since i can get the truck for under $200 CAD. and any posi unit i have found for my truck, is at least $600 USD, before taxes, shipping and currency conversion. that is why i am trying to find any info about the differential swap before i purchase the truck. i would rather spend the $200 CAD then spend close to $1000 CAD for a posi rear differential.
so again, any relevant information would be greatly appreciated.
so again, any relevant information would be greatly appreciated.
#4
#5
well, since you stated that the ring gears are different, i will need to purchase a new ring gear so my gear ratio is kept, and i would also have to purchase new weld on spring seats and weld on shock mounts since they are different between the 2 axles. then there is redoing the brake lines and parking break cables as well. but since you have informed me that neither the rings gears, or the carrier bearings will not work, and it would be too intensive and costly a job to swap over the axles, it is looking like i will be saving my self $200.
thank you for the info you have provided. maybe i will find a posi differential in a junk yard that will fit my application.
thank you for the info you have provided. maybe i will find a posi differential in a junk yard that will fit my application.
#6
well, since you stated that the ring gears are different, i will need to purchase a new ring gear so my gear ratio is kept, and i would also have to purchase new weld on spring seats and weld on shock mounts since they are different between the 2 axles. then there is redoing the brake lines and parking break cables as well. but since you have informed me that neither the rings gears, or the carrier bearings will not work, and it would be too intensive and costly a job to swap over the axles, it is looking like i will be saving my self $200.
thank you for the info you have provided. maybe i will find a posi differential in a junk yard that will fit my application.
thank you for the info you have provided. maybe i will find a posi differential in a junk yard that will fit my application.
#7
well, since you stated that the ring gears are different, i will need to purchase a new ring gear so my gear ratio is kept, and i would also have to purchase new weld on spring seats and weld on shock mounts since they are different between the 2 axles. then there is redoing the brake lines and parking break cables as well. but since you have informed me that neither the rings gears, or the carrier bearings will not work, and it would be too intensive and costly a job to swap over the axles, it is looking like i will be saving my self $200.
thank you for the info you have provided. maybe i will find a posi differential in a junk yard that will fit my application.
thank you for the info you have provided. maybe i will find a posi differential in a junk yard that will fit my application.
The best advice is buy that $200, and swap the axle. You just need to have the spring perches cut amd rewelded which wouldn't cost much of you cant do it yourself. And maybe habe the shock mounts cut and rewelded. You'd end up having a much stronger axle. Plus a complete truck to strip down and get money back on if I'm understanding your post right.
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#8
Rock auto has the carrier here http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/d...+carrier,13098 $322.79 Not sure how that translates to Canadian dollars.
You could buy the truck, personally I would want new mounts, vs cutting the old off and rewelding to the axle, both spring, and shocks. Going to have to set the pinion angle, etc. Then are all the little things going to work out? ie brake cables, driveshaft, brake lines, etc. Also, is the gear ratio the same? a lot of times, the devil is in the details of these swaps.
If the rest of your 8.25 is in good shape, its probably going to be cheaper and easier in the long run to put a limited slip carrier in what you have.
Unless you plan to really dog the truck or switch to a much more powerful engine, the 8.25 is a pretty good rear.
One other point, the used one may be worn out. The limited slip carrier are a wear item.
You could buy the truck, personally I would want new mounts, vs cutting the old off and rewelding to the axle, both spring, and shocks. Going to have to set the pinion angle, etc. Then are all the little things going to work out? ie brake cables, driveshaft, brake lines, etc. Also, is the gear ratio the same? a lot of times, the devil is in the details of these swaps.
If the rest of your 8.25 is in good shape, its probably going to be cheaper and easier in the long run to put a limited slip carrier in what you have.
Unless you plan to really dog the truck or switch to a much more powerful engine, the 8.25 is a pretty good rear.
One other point, the used one may be worn out. The limited slip carrier are a wear item.
#9