Hey Guys... I'm looking for some info.. I've repaired/rebuilt my rear end three times in the last 5 years.. This forth time it's pretty much shot .. I can here the shafts grinding in the diff.. I'm pretty sure the shaft housings are bent.. So, I'm going to be putting in a used rear end.. I DON'T WANT TO REPLACE IT WITH A POSI 4X4 ASSEMBLY.. I would like to refit it with an open diff.. From what I can tell, I've got a 12 bolt hex 9.25 ring 3.55 ratio 11.5 brake drums.. I'm looking to put in a 2rwd 3.55 with 9 inch drums.. Any difference besides the drums?. Are the drive shaft yokes the same?.. Is it possible to bolt on the 11" drums?.. This is my wife's truck, so there is no off roading being done.. It's just to get her around town.. Any help in this matter would be appreciated .. before I shell out 400 bucks on a rear end I can't use..
Thanks, Steve

 

ALL DONE... No more POSI... I put in a rear end from a 02, 2wd.. open..
Here is a run down of what it took.. The perches are on the top of the axle on the 4x4 where as the perches are on the bottom of 2wd axle.. Some people say, "cut the old perches off and weld the news ones on where you what them"... Yes, that is a way it could be done.. Myself.. I didn't cut off the old ones, I just added the new ones and made a "perch sandwich".. By leaving the old ones on, I didn't have to do any re-alignment.. The olds one line up perfect, they are just flipped over on the bottom.. By the same token, you could go from a 2wd to a posi 4x4 if you wanted to.. Just stack it all up on top of the springs, instead of on the bottom.. This also applies to Durango rear ends, except you don't have the shock mounts..


How it's put together..


Leaf spring
top un-welded perch (new)
axle tube
bottom welded perch (old)
flat bottom plate (old top plate from 2wd donor truck)
7 3/4" square u-bolts to hold it altogether (1/2" longer than OEM)..


PS.. and yes, it does add a 1/2" lift.. at no noticeable difference..