I was supposed to pick up my 96 Ram 5.9 on Monday, but the dealer is now telling me he can't sell it for our agreed price, he now wants $300 above what we talked about.
Now I'm looking at a 98 ram 5.2L 1500 4x4 with 114,00 miles for $3495. I already ordered some mods for the 96 I 'thought' I would be getting (not very smart on my part ), but luckily the lift, tires, and intake will all fit...
Now my question is: are the axles the same from the 96 as the 98: Dana 44 (3.55) front & Chrysler 9.25 in the rear?

 

Hope you told the dealer to take hike and that you found another truck to buy. The idiot is trying the old bait and switch. Specially if you already signed the paper work

 

+1 And yes the axles are the same , but might have different gear ratio.

 

You are better off not buying from someone who does that. Who knows what else he could have been concealing.

 

+1 on axles being the same.
+1 on telling any seller who does that, that if the price is not as agreed, then your offer is now $300 LOWER, and whatever you do, do NOT give them any more money.

 

I've basically decided to say F*CK YOU to the dealer, and I'm going to look at the 98 on Monday, and hopefully drive it home Tuesday!
Does anyone know if the gearing is the same? I wanna put TrueTracs in the front, and I found some for the Dana 44, 3.55 gears for $350...

 

It most likely has 3:55's if it's not a sport off road edition.

 

check the sticker in the glove box for gear ratio and options.
the 1500 offroad package came with a 4.10 i think all others have 3.55
2500 could be anything.
also check rear axle tube, driver side for paper sticker. it will say something like 3.55 open.

 

If you PM me the last 8 digits of the vin, I can check to see what ratio is in it....

 

Or you can just look at the sticker under the hood...