Ok well the guy doesn't want to give me the VIN. Understandable. So when I look at it tomorrow I'll get it and show you guys some pics.

 

Early Ford LD 3/4 tons used a semi-floating 35 spline Dana 60 rear. After 1997, they used the 9-3/4" Sterling. There are both 5 and 7 (yes, 7) lug versions of the 1997-2003 F150 7,700/F250 LD.

Chevrolet used the 9.5" corporate axle you mention, with both 6 lug (early GMT400) and 8 lug patterns under the light 3/4, and the 6-lug variant under the heavy 1/2 (differing from the light 3/4 by badge). They also did weird things like stuffing that turd of a diesel in the half tons. Most often, the 9.5" was accompanied by the 350 engine and 700R4 or 4L60trans in GMT400 series trucks, while the 454 was followed by the 4L80 and 10.5". The exception were 1-ton trucks with the 350, which still used the heavier running gear.


I like that.

The simplest definition is:

Full Floating: Bearings do not contact axle. FF axles are retained by bolts to the hub assembly, Bearings ride on a spindle and are retained by a single hub nut

Semi-Floating: Axle rides on bearings; The axle shaft itself is the inner bearing race. Semi-floater axles are retained by a C-clip in the carrier. Bearings are retained with a pressed fit in the axle housing.

Non-Floating: Bearings (or at least inner race) are pressed onto axle shaft and usually also have a retaining snap-ring. Non-floating axles are retained by a plate in front of the bearings that bolts to the axle housing flange.

Full-Floating and Non-Floating designs can either have a 3rd member design or use a cast housing. Semi-floating designs do not use 3rd member designs.

Today, moreso (though most import 1/2 tons use non-floating designs with 3rd members).

But go back to the 60's and early 70's, Semi-floating axles were practically non-existant. The GM 12-bolt was one of the first. Chrysler used the 8-3/4 until 1976, Ford retained the 9" until 1980. My '78 Aspen has that non-floating 9-bolt 7-1/4" unit (yes, it's still taking abuse from the 440).

And, of course, there are the oddballs, like Land Rover, which use a full-floating 3rd member rear with giant 5-lug bolt patterns (and equally large wheel studs) with 5 bolt axle flanges.

On 3/4 ton trucks, the standard for many years with Domestics was the 8-lug Dana 60 full floating Rear. GM broke trend first with the 10.5" Corporate, followed by Ford with the Sterlings in (I think) 1985, though F-350 Dually Super-Duty's still use a Dana 80. Chrysler had the longest relationship with Dana, not straying until 2003, when they went to the 10.5" and monstrous 11.5" AAM axles.

To the OP-

Most of the differences have been well illustrated. But to consolidate and summarize:

3/4 ton has-

-Heavier frame
-Stiffer springs
-Heavy duty trans and T-case
-Larger axles*


*As was illustrated, early light 3/4 tons were basically half-tons with 8 lug versions of the standard 1/2 ton axles. The standard 3/4 ton all have Dana 60 front, but the rear could be a Dana 60 under V-8 powered trucks, Dana 70 under Diesel and V-10 trucks, and Dana 80 under heavy duty 3/4 ton with tow & plow package.

 

SixtySixDuece: I agree with everything, except one minor point. The 3/4, and 1 ton trucks don't have a heavy duty trans, at least, as far as the automatics go, they are the same throughout the load range. Manual transmissions are a different story though.

 

He still claims its a 2500 with 5 lug axles. I still haven't gotten an answer from someone who is 100% on this...

 

I can find zero information on it either...... Vin code will only tell GVWR, not the number of lugnuts. I am thinking the LD 2500, the 4th digit of the vin will be J, or K. For the heavy version (that will be eight lug....) should be K.

According to all info I can find, the light duty 3/4 tons still had the dana 44 up front, and the chrysler 9.25 out back. No different than what the half tons have.

I think the only way you are going to know for sure, is to actually go and look in person, get the vin, and have at it.

Here is a good resource for checking things quickly.

 

OP:

Using the same website as above ^,
6th Series Ram 1500 Ram 2500 Ram 3500 Ram Misc Dakota Base Dakota Sport/SLT
Is it a 1 or 2? That will tell you right there. The VIN isn't going to be wrong.

 

47 or 48, as opposed to the 45 and 46 in half tons. For manuals, half tons run the NV3500 or 3550, while 3/4 and one ton use NV4500 or NV5600 (and those P.O.S, overdrive-shredding Getrag and ZF transmissions in the newer trucks. Barf)

Oh, and the LD 3/4 tons with the 9.25 & 44; they aren't just 8 lug; They use larger diameter axle shafts and bearings in the rear as well. It's an HD 9.25".

 

47 and 48 only came behind the V-10's, and diesels. The V-8's got the 46.

 

Correct. I was unaware that this thread was V-8 specific..........

 

Didn't occur to me to clarify that in my earlier post.