i have been looking into regearing my back end. my question is this. if i get a complete axle off of another ram with 4.10 gears, will it fit my truck without modifications. the reason i ask is because from what i am hearing it would cost me close to a grand to regear my truck having someone doing the install. but i can get a complete rear axle off of a junkyard truck around here for between 300 and 400 and i can swap that myself... i think.

 

The only changes I know of in the half ton rear axle was a brake upgrade in 2000. I don't
think that even matters when it comes to a swap.

 

As long as it is also from a 1500.

 

it would be from a 1500 and most likely a truck around the same age

 

what it is a dana 70 instead of a 9.25?

 

dana 70 is a heavy duty mother for a diesel 2500/3500. i don't know if it'll fit in a 1500 or not ? i think the springs are wider, but if you kept your old springs, they might fit. i don't know - measure carefully.

not trying to rain on your parade, but it may be difficult finding a 4.10 in a junk yard. almost all 1500's came with the 3:55.

shop around, i'd think you could get new 4.10's installed, with master install (new bearings) for about $600 or less.

 

If its a Dana 70 then it will be an 8 lug unit which wont match the front bolt pattern, the leaf spring pads will most likely be 3" wide instead of 2.5" like the half tons (not too big of a deal), and the drive shaft will not bolt up.

A 9.25 would be a much easier swap (basically bolt on) and plenty strong enough for most applications.

 

I paid like 500 for both my front and rear 4.56's w/ full master install kit.

If you can wrench id suggest taking it on your self. Yukon gears come with a small but really good instruction manual.

It really is fairly easy, just time consuming.

 

what kind of tools would i need to do the swap myself? how hard/easy and about how long to install?

 

doing a swap to another 9.25 is very straight forward. unbolt the driveshaft from the pinion, remove both shocks, un do the necessary brake lines (if your new rearend comes with the lines still on it, you can just unscrew the rubber line that goes into the "T" ), un hook the park brake cables and unbolt the u-bolts. if equipped, you will have to unbolt the rear swaybar from the axle housing.
To install, you will reverse the procedure. Take special notice of the u-bolts, be sure they are in good condition, these are very important and if they need replacing, they are cheap, i pay $40 for a set. When installing u-bolts, snug up and make sure they are parallel to each other, then tightnen. Also make sure the spring perch, both sides of the block and bottom of spring are free of debris before putting them together.
On a side note. i should also remind that if you re-gear the rear, you need to do the front as well. If you looking to upgrade, you may find it easier to find a donor 2500 or 3500 and steal a pair of Dana 60s, many, like mine, came with 4.10s. you will have to put a 2.5" perch on the rear, and get 8 lug wheels, but it may be worth it. the front i think is a direct bolt-on, can anyone confirm?