I am new to dodge forum, and have been searching for an answer to my question by looking at prev. posts but have had no luck, so I thought I would just ask

I have a 1994 dodge Ram 2500 2x4 with a one wheel wonder Diff.

This truck is great on dry pavement but any thing else sucks

I was wondering if there is anything I can do to this rear end to make it not slip, or am I just going to have to $$$$ a new diff? and if I need to get a new Diff, what should I get?

Thanks for any help

 

A new carrier is your only option. One of the best sources that I have found is Randys Ring and Pinion. Very knowledgeable people and a very good variety of product.

You'll need to find out what gears you have in your truck so look for a small metal tag on the differential housing. Hopefully it's there and can tell you. Otherwise do a search on this site for information on performing a VIN search for your truck to obtain a copy of the build sheet. That document will tell you what you have. If you like the current performance (except single wheel drive) you can probably stay with your current diff ratio. If not you can improve your takeoff power by upgrading to a higher ratio. (I.e. my truck has 3.55 gears which are good for MPG but suck for pulling. When the money becomesavailable I am going to upgrade to 4.10 gears for improved power but slightly less MPG.)

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

?????
Why would he need a new carrier???? What he needs is an LSD or Locker. A new LSD will basically replace the carrier so in sense he needs a new carrier but, to say you just need a new carrier doesn’t make sense. Auburn is a good brand as his Detroit. I’ve been looking at a powertrax no-slip unit myself. You can install the no-slip in your garage and it doesn’t replace the carrier. The down side of the no-slip is that it is a locker so both wheel will spin the same. So if you lose traction your truck will fish tail. The nice thing about it is that it’s cheaper and it a DIY. Just make sure you get the no-slip and not the other unit that they sell. Auburn would be another good choice since they have a gear driven LSD. It would replace the carrier and you should have it installed professionally. Your looking at about 800-900 dollars for the aurburn including installation. The powertrax no-slip is about 400.

 

Can you clear up my confusion.

First you state "Why would he need a new carrier????"

Then you state "What he needs is an LSD or Locker. A new LSD will basically replace the carrier"."It would replace the carrier and you should have it installed professionally."

Maybe I used the wrong words, but what I meant was true. The carrier in his truck cannot be made to become a posi-trac unit. He has to replace it. As you say a new LSD will do this.

 

I think when he thought ofcarrier,he wasthinking of the stock part which holds the spider gears. Or like when you re-gear sometimes you need a new carrier. I mean if his 2500 was originally posi, he could rebuild it with clutches, but if it was indeed open which it probably was for 2x4, then heneeds do a "carrier swap". I guess because it is not refered to it as much in that sense, may have caused some confusion. Everyone refers to it as an LSD, Locker, Posi, Power trax, Posi track, Track loc, sure grip, detroit locker, detroit truetrac, etc... Eh.. maybe i confused myself.

 

I was simply pointing out that by saying he just needs a new carrier is misleading. If he went out and bought a brand new carrier and had it installed it wouldn’t change anything. Not to mention they guy installing it would look at him funny. Like I said in my post if you get an LSD you will be installing a new carrier but, from my understanding that carrier comes with the LSD. He could also try a no-slip which if he was looking for traction in mud or rock crawling would work well and you don’t have to replace the carrier. Turkeyhunter I wasn’t trying to offend you I just thought you left some essential parts out.

 

Appreciate it. I'm not into rock crawling or big time mudding so knowing the exact verbage is not my strong point. I figured that he had the same one wheel drive differential that I got and in order to get posi or no-slip he has to replace a lot.

 

lol

Yea, I'mnot into big stuff either. I'd like to be but, I'm to busy. I'm building my truck so that it will do really well off road but, it's never been off road more then maybe a couple of feet.

 

for about $400 or so you can put a powertrax noslip in it. you can diy and not take the diff apart. be sure you id you axle exactly based on cover shape and bolts, so you order the wrong thing.

i've got one. its awesome. if you get stuck, it aint because of one wheel wonder.

http://www.powertrax.com/dodgetruckns.pdf
call or see here for best pricing. http://www.performanceoffroadcenter.com/

 

Auburn LSD are clutch/cone style and are prone to wearing out. They do sell rebuild kits for them however. Detroit Truetracs are helical gear driven LSD and do not wear out like the clutch style units. FWIW

If he doesn't want a "locker", then his only choice is to go with a LSD (new carrier) like the Truetrac or Auburn, or Traclock etc... This would require an installation by someone who can set up gears.

If he wants to go with a locker, the Powertrax No-Slip is an excellent choice for a daily driver. It is relatively inexspensive, can be installed by an average backyard mechanic, and does not require resetting the R&P, although they do recommend checking backlash before and after installation (although most backyard mechanics don't do this).

Another option for a locker would be a Detroit locker. This style locker has unmatched strength and is a full carrier replacement style locker that will require an installation by someone who can set up gears.

Since he has a 2500, he also has the option of adding a selectable locker. This style locker remians an open differential until engaged by either electricity, compressed air, or a manual cable. While this is the most exspensive type of locker, it is also the most versitile since it gives the driver options. These types of lockers are full carriers and require professional installation.

Auburn has a variation of a selectable locker called an Auburn ECTED (not available for the 2500 rear, but is available for the D44 front on 4wd Rams). This ECTED unit is normally a LSD (instead of open), and then when engaged with a 12 volt switch, becomes a full locker.

Then there is the full "spool" type locker. This carrier replacement is full lockup 100% all the time even when going aound corners. These are not very street friendly as they chew up tires like crazy, but they are out there and I thought I'd let you know. You do not want this for a street driven truck however.

So it really boils down to what you want to do with your truck.

If you have a DD that your looking for more traction....go with a LSD like a Detroit Truetrac.
If you have a DD that see's some trail time.....go with a Powertrax No-Slip.
If you have a DD that see's considerable off road time....go with a selectable locker (or this is my choice if $$$ is not a factor)
If you have a mostly off roader.......go with a Detroit Locker
If you have a 100% of road rig.......go with a Detroit locker or a full spool.

Good luck to you, hope you get something done soon.