Hi:

I just bought a used 1996 Ram club with a 5.9L - 2WD. I am trying to figure out if the differential is limited slip or open. The under hood stamp says 3.5, and it is the Corporate 9.25.

The tag on one of the bolts says "1885". What does this mean?

 

Not sure what the tag means.

Easiest may to tell if it is a posi or not is to jack up the rear end and put the truck in neutral. Spin one tire, if the other goes the same way you have a traction aid.

 

I dont know when I will jack it up, but I put the rear wheels on a gravel road today and gave it power. It threw the gravel around from under both tires. It seems like it is most likely I have the 3.55 gears with the Track-Loc clutch type limited slip.

I think the "1885" tag is a date code. There is supposed to be another tag on a bolt at the top of the diff cover that has the axle ratio.

 

thats really not a good test.....i have an OPEN diff, and i go hard on gravel, it will show both tires were tearing it up.....i guess my truck is weird.

 

Get one wheel in gravel or grass and the other on pavement.
Just don't get crazy as I will not fix it if you break it.

 

OK, more testing required. Maybe I'll jack it up and do the wheel turn test.

 

It's most likely an open diff on a 2wd. Open differentials will try and balance torque with the wheel that has the least resistance hence why both wheels will spin if your stuck in something. Problem is that instead of putting the most torque to the wheel with best traction, ex. wheel on pavement, it will try put the torque to the wheel with less resistance, ex. wheel spinning freely in mud. If you jack up the rear end and spin one tire and the other tire spins in the opposite direction, it's an open diff. If I'm mistaken please correct me. I'm not the brightest light bulb in the pack.

 

You seem to have it all correct.

Open differentials transfer equal torque.
Limited slips and lockers transfer equal wheel speed (or try to)

 

Isn't there a service from Dodge you can send your VIN to and they will send all your factory info? I did it years ago and lost it But it told me all the axle specs.

 

Last 4 digits of my phone number = 1885 !


but yes, you could get a hold of Dodge and request your build sheet, thats what Agostage is talking about. Your best bet is to go right into the dealer with your VIN and they should print it out for you