my front axle twisted in my 96 ram 1500 i am wanting to replace it and am wondering if there is a difference between 1500 2500 or 3500 is there any benefit of one over the other or will they all fit? i plan on beefing it all up and gearing it....what would be the best to replace it with?

 

Yes, they are different ... a 1500 has a Dana 44 in the front and a 9.25" in the back while most(?) 2500/3500's should have a Dana 60 in the nose and a D60/D70/D80 in the rear. It's a pretty simple swap. I've been wanting to do it myself for sometime just for the beefier axle. You'll have to get 8 lug rims and match the gearing so you'll be doing the rear along with it. Good way to go.

 

i already have nice chrome rims that i like how hard would it be to set the lugs so i can retain my other rims?
does the 60 bolt right in place of the 44?

 

the driveshaft mounts different, and you'll most likely end up with a different gear ratio, and all Dana 60 use 8-lug wheel flanges

edit: i just noticed this has already been stated. i really need to read slower, lol. I havent seen anything to change a D60 to 5-lug

 

find a wreck donor 2500, then youll have everything you need.

 

For the 5 vs 8 lugs ... look what I found:

http://extremeaxlesales.com/dana605l...evydodge1.aspx

Of course, at $1800 a truck, those had better be some NICE rims.

 

good find bill. but i still think it would be better to use 8-lug wheels anyway.