So I know I have 4:56 gears in the rear but I dont know what i have in the front, I bought the truck and the po put the rear gears in so im not sure if the front match. How do i tell what gears i have in the front diff? Can you run two different sized gears front and back or is it bad for the transfer case?

 

By NO MEANS can you run different gears in the front and near. They have to be the same gears. I"m now putting new 4-56's in my 1999 1500 Ram. YOu will also have to change the carrier in the front if your truck is a 1500 with a Dana 44

 

Best way to tell? Pull the cover, and have a look. Gear ratio should be stamped/etched into the ring gear somewhere.

 

Alright I will take a look and see what i have in the front. What problems would occur if the gears were different from front to back?

 

In four wheel drive, your transfer case would blow itself into a few dozen pieces.

 

Yep, switch into 4 wheel drive, if you don't coast to a stop and have to go back and pickup your drive shafts and transfer case in pieces off the pavement, you have the same gear ratio in both axles...

 

LOL I guess that saves me the work of having to look. I have used 4wd quite a few times already so I must have the same gears.

 

you would know if it had different gears, for the transfer case would be grinding every little piece in it.

if you've used 4x4 already and nothing happened, you're all set.

 

I believe there are "thick" gears available in a 4:56 ratio that work without changing the carrier. Randy's Ring and pinion.

 

I have used 4x4 several times now but when i do the wheel thrashes me from side to side. This was in the snow so there was plenty of slip, so i am trying to narrow it down to what the heck could be wrong with it. Gears being wrong sized made sense but if they work even though i get thrown side to side i am assuming its not the wrong gear size, i will have take a look when it stops raining today.