Getting ready to install a new differential and just got all the parts in the mail today. I have a 2001 Ram 1500 4x2 and the bearing kit I have says that it is for 2000 and down. Guy at the shop says it will work, but I'm wondering why the cutoff in years. I do see online that Timken makes a different kit for 2000 and down and 2001 and up. Does anyone know what the difference between these model years is? Thanks.

 

Don't know but it could be the size of the bearings, shims, or seals. You could install it and end up with a bad setting or a leaky diff.

 

the only difference im aware of it where driveshaft bolts to the rear. 2000 and down uses the typical strap method, and above 00 uses the setup where everything will unbolt from the rear. ill try to find some pics. it may affect your application

 

this is what they use in a 2001 set up. and im sure you know what the old style is with the straps that hold the shaft in with the u joint

 

Thanks for the responses- the guy at the shop where it's being installed confirmed that it is a different rear mounting and said that he was unaware of any other difference but stated that if there was something else, it probably had to do with the pinion seal or mounting depth. The ring and pinion is the same for all years (AFAIK), so everyone's answers seem reasonable.

Should be getting it back from the shop today (new trac-loc, 3.90 gears) in time to put a few hundred miles on it before I head out to the desert next week.

 

good deal and good luck

 

Ummmm well, uh...my 2000, which was built in December of 1999, uses this style of shaft as pictured.
All this means is that anything Mopar is not a hard and fast rule.

 

Bingo.

Case in point- I also replaced serpentine belt the other day and the one that was on there (the original factory belt, mind you) it is not the belt that matches the part number of the belt that is supposed to be on there. When I cross reference the p/n for that belt, it says that it fits the 3.9L and 5.2L engines from 1994-1996. Mine is a 5.9L from 2001. Needless to say, I'm going with what is already on there because that one obviously fits!

New trac-loc differential works awesome! When I drove it out of the shop, it was a little rough on the first right-hand turn out of the driveway, but I went across the street to an empty parking lot and did low speed figure eight's for about 5-10 minutes to work the oil/friction modifier into the clutches and heat it up a little, and all the chatter/roughness is now gone.