Have a 97 dodge dakota 5.2 (318) 4x4 I'm thinking and trying to plan on doing a axle swap, I just need a list of axles that I can use for that swap that will work, and what I will need to do so, and later in the future I'm going to put a 5.9 cummins and NV4500 but that's later down the road but what axles will work and from what vehicles ? Thanks

 

late 70s high pinion dana 44 from f150 or bronco seam to be the favorite,youll have to weld on the spring perches though,but,if you can find on from a f150 supercab I think the perches are already there as it had front leaf springs,those are 5 lug axles,if you want eight lug,then find 78 or 79 f250 dana 44 or if your lucky,a dana 60! these are all high pinion 8 lug,there are others that will work also,as long as its a driver side drop,but,you wont have the high pinion...

 

You could have a front diff built custom. Expensive but can be done.
I've seen Ford 9" and Corp 10 1/2" 14 bolt front diffs made.
Awesome. But wouldn't be cheap if you dont know a welder.

 

Does a high pinion need to be used or could you explain that to me? What's the difference between the two?

 

the pinion gear is coming out the top of the housing(reverse rotation) rather than the normal coming from the bottom like dodge,chevy,..it helps relieve the driveshaft angle...how much lift are you looking to get,tire size?

 

found some info..http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/index.htm

 

At least 33's and I'm thinking just a solid axle and springs would be more than enough lift, but idk if I should do a solid axle swap or pay 1,000 or so for a 6 inch lift :/

 

Give a guy to much information and its what he's going to be stuck kn.
Trying to find a High Pinion diff.
Nice, sure, but not essentially required.

 

Don't buy an IFS lift kit. They suck. And it's almost as much work to install one of those as it is to do a simple SAS with leaf springs.

The easiest way to do the SAS is to use a Bronco front axle (78-79?) and keep the radius arms. The second easiest is leaf springs.

My front axle is from an 83 Jeep J10 pickup (same Dana 44 that's in Wagoneers. It's a low pinion, but works fine with the amount of lift I have. The high pinion might be necessary if you want to run 38" tires or something like that (mine are 35s), but the low pinion will work fine for 33s.

One thing I gotta say, though. With all the work you want to do (axles, diesel, manual tranny, etc.), you're probably better off selling the thing and just buying a full-size with a diesel and 5-speed. Unless you're really in love with your Dakota for some reason, it will save you a lot of cash and headaches.

 

I've already pulled my auto out and put a nv3500 5-speed in, wasn't that bad had to wait to get pilot bearing and clutch master and pedal that was it, install was actually very easy for me being my truck already had the hole in the floor firewall and everything, and I've seen the 6 cyl cummins in a dakota, I just need to know what axles I need to do a SAS with, and how would I level the truck after I do the SAS? And the diesel swap is after I get another vehicle! Thanks for all your help!