As far as i know the only difference i saw in the rear springs was that the 2500 had a taller block, now if you get an axle out of a truck that had a CTD or v10 they had 3in wide leaf springs (my donor had a 360). The front springs are the same height and diameter as my stock 1500 ones but they are made of a thicker steel. As far as premature failure i had worst things failing like u-joints, spiders, and axle shafts and the dana 44 was costing me to much to in up keep so i have no choice but to make this swap.

 

It would seem we both have the same problems with the D44! too bad i cant find a D60 in the jy if my life depended on it... a dodge 4x4 for that matter.

 

Yea our yard's are 2wd heaven and 4x4 hell, nothing there with a 4x4 mark on it thats not a complete shell.

 

I heard that the 2500 leaf springs were wider and would not mate up with the stock brackets. Guess you would need to get the brackets too. But i thought they were welded to the frame.

 

Nah, I think the leaf shackle mounts are riveted to the frame. But either way you would und up having to do some measuring and cutting. Not woth it in my case. Just need the v8 style from what SpcD1500 says.

 

im about 90% sure on that but i will double check when i go home tomorrow and let you know. I have herd of guys taken ones with 3in springs and just leaving them on and tightening up their ubolts but im not sure how trust worthy that is cause im sure that axle would try to shift and it is the spring perches on the axle themselves that you would have to change

 

ok, so i was wrong my rear springs were 3in wide, they were positioned a little marrower too but i was able to get them to work without changing the perches. sorry but i dont think im going to do a diy for the rear axle cause i couldnt find my camera during the install.

 

Nice write up, I'd like to swap my axles someday.