Ok, let me start off by saying that I'm completely new to trucks, and this forum.. so hello! lol

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited but other than that this will be my first pickup truck.

I got the chance to grab this 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 Magnum for a cool $500, but it has been wrecked and needs work. The truck is currently at a friends shop, he will be fixing it for me but I'm having trouble finding which axle I need to buy. I would also really like to be able to find an exploded view/diagram of the front axle assembly.

If possible I would like to get this done without having to buy a complete front axle assembly from hub to hub, so I need help. I'm used to Honda's and am lost in truck world!!! I have attached some pics of the truck as well.

 

Look like the front axle housing is bent, so, complete replacement is probably going to be your best option.

You have a Dana 44 up there...... Corporate 9.25 out back.

Factory service manual is available for download in the FAQ section here. Its for the 01 model year truck, but, the differences from 00, to 01, will be minor, at worst.

 

I put 2 pdfs in here> https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ts-manual.html

one is the 99-01 spicers, with breakdowns
the other is the 44 service manual

 

I would recommend checking your local salvage yard for a new axle. That would be the easiest fix if you can find one that isn't wrecked.

That truck is in pretty good shape (other than the wreck obviously) if you can score a cheap axle assembly you could have yourself a nice truck there!

-JT

 

If you need a whole new housing I'd also check Craigslist.com Looks like you found a nice set of wheels for a nice price. Good luck!!

 

Thanks guys, i figured it was a good deal so I snatched it as fast as I could lol.

I'm searching local junkyards as well as craigslist with little to no luck, I did find one at a semi local yard for $850 for the complete assembly. Is this a good price?

While i'm scouring the mid atlantic for a front axle, which year/model/engine size/ratio/whatever else vehicle do I need to be looking for? Do I have to find the parts out of a 2000 or will parts from any year out of the generation work?

Does anyone know a place online that sells a stock replacement abs bumper cover for this year at a decent price as well? I really like the oem bumper cover and would hate to have to resort to some second rate body kit style bumper cover. It seems the oem covers are very scarce.

Also, is it just me or is this model year, specifically the 2000, very hard to find parts for?

Thanks in advance for answering my questions and helping me out in generally and sorry in advance as well bc i'm sure i'll be asking more questions... lol

 

the 00 and 01 have slightly different steering knuckles and dual piston calipers. so if you stay in 00-01 you have compatibility on all parts. 94-99 will still work fine, but you'll have to use the older calipers to match. as far as i know (which is not much) - that's the only difference. i think everything else is 94-01 compatible.

i think 850 is way too high. you can buy a complete non-running parts truck for less than that.... i bought a rear axle for a toyota 4runner awhile back off craigslist for 200. others were available for 300 and 350.

 

OK and I called the dealership and they told me I have 3.55 gears according to my vin, did they mean 3.54 or are these two the same?

I'd imagine I need to find a truck with the sane gear ratio, correct? If so how do I tell if I come across an axle in a junkyard or on Craigslist? Can you tell by looking at them?

Also, does anyone know where to find an OEM bumper cover online at a decent price?

 

Basically the same. Just depends on who does the rounding.....

You want a differential with the same gear ratio, yes. Different ratios between front and rear tends to create rather expensive noises, and things stop working.....

According to popular theory, there should be a tag under the hood, that gives gear ratios...... another way to tell would be to pull the front cover, and gear ratio is usually etched into the ring gear somewhere. (on a face you can see, fortunately. just spin it slowly, and wipe the oil off so you can find it.)

The axles you find on craigslist should tell you what ratio they are, or, you can just contact the seller and ask. If he doesn't know/doesn't wanna tell ya, move on, and find another.

LMC Truck may have them, but, as for 'reasonable price'...... that I don't know.

 

There is a sticker in the glovebox as well with the ratios

You can tell alot about an axle by the Bill of material # stamped on the long tube.
Look in the 99-01 pdf I linked, it will tell you where the BOM is stamped. Then scroll down to the dodge DANA 44 pages and compare the BOMs.
Ratios are listed, as well.
Now all that aside it really depends on if the PO has changed out gears in their axle or not, It may be easiest to pull your old gears out and put them in the new axle