Hey everyone, Merry Christmas. I'm new to the whole truck thing, as I've driven exclusively Jeeps since getting my license 4 years back. I've got some questions for you all, and hopefully you can help me sort this out!

Im buying a 96 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L V8 magnum tomorrow for $3500 with 130K miles. I will be using this as a winter/work/play truck, but I need to know a few things:
1. What kind of rear axle/differentials comes in the 2nd gen, front and rear? (I thought they had open differentials, which won't cut it when I play in the snow or mud, or should I throw a plow on the front..)
2. If it is an open diff, I am planning on putting in either truetrac lockers (lsd) in the front and rear, or putting that in the front, and an electric locker in the rear.
3. I don't know much about lockers, but my jeep had a welded rear, which I don't want. that's why I'm leaning towards an electric: because it also provides 100% lockup when engaged, so I can turn it on and off when I want. But my question with these are: does water affect them very much, if I went through a big muddy puddle?
4. If you know a link where I can buy the lockers (lsd) for this truck, it would be greatly appreciated! (direct links are even better )

Thanks everyone, and I look forward to being on this forum quite a bit!!!

 

I believe you'll have the Dana 44 up front with a 9.25 in the rear and 3.55's. But then again, that's just a guess.

You'll have to look on the tag under the hood to see if you have an open or a limited slip. Open up the hood, and the tag should be on the hood itself, or right next to all the diagrams for wiring and such.

Lots of people prefer posi track lockers. I know nothing about them.

Welcome to the forum, and post pictures of your truck when you get a chance!

 

welcome to df.
1. 1500 has dana 44 front (open) and chrylser 9.25 rear (open or lsd)
2. consider cost. they aren't cheap.
3. water won't affect a properly installed item. but it can get past the seals and require diff oil change.
4. choices for selectable lockers in 9.25 are little to none.

for what you've described so far, you need a 2500, not a 1500. the 2500's come with dana 60's, which offers lots of locker options as well as a little better handling of a plow.

 

for what you've described so far, you need a 2500, not a 1500. the 2500's come with dana 60's, which offers lots of locker options as well as a little better handling of a plow.[/quote]

Couldn't I just swap in a Dana 44 to the rear, or a Dana 60? I'm not looking to really beat this thing, and the plow is a little 5 footer for doing my mom's driveway. If needed, I can toss a plow on the Jeep too...

 

Actually, I've just found an electric locker for the Chrysler 9.25 rear, and the trutracs for the front! I'll be posting pics up after I get it, and some before & afters!

 

Welcome to the Forum.
Just my personal opinion I would mount the plow on the Jeep, because a plow even if its small will take its toll on a 1/2 ton truck. Believe me I know from experience lol. If ya get a chance fire up some pics of your new truck, and looking forward to what you will do for mods

 

holy crap man youve already ordered all of those mods wow, there is some problems with the 5.9 v8 check your plenium intake gasket, and how is your trannsmission

 

hey, be careful on confusion between 2nd gen (94-01) 9.25 rear and 3rd gen (02+) 9.25 front. they are not the same thing. according to ARB's product guide, they don't make a selectable locker for 2nd gen rear 9.25, but they do make one for 3rd gen front 9.25
http://dedq15.mindfly.com/uploads/PD...kerAppsUSA.pdf

yes, you could swap in a dana 60 rear. no, don't put in a dana 44 on the rear. it'll break. our trucks don't drive that great to start with. you'll probably be ok with a small personal kind of plow that's not too heavy.

 

Yeah, I kind of went crazy with the ordering! The subwoofers and system were intended for my car, so all i needed were the speakers. Other than that it really wasn't too expensive. The rims are the same as stock, so I'll just be putting the tires on stock looking rims.
I had the truck inspected by my mechanic, and my uncle came to try it out too before I bought it, tranny and everything work great.

 

I found a Detroit Locker system for it, Not electric like I previously thought, but it works just like the regular locker, but makes less noise when driving around town.

!!!!I'm still looking for an electric locker though, so if you know of any, let me know!!!!