I've found a rear end for a good price but its off a 4x4 my question is will that rear end work in my truck? I have a 4x2 it would seem that it wouldn't be a problem that the driveshaft might just be beefier?

 

I dont think there would be much difference cause the biggest difference would most likely be in the gearing... so if you get the same axle model, it should be the same, but im not exact

 

The 1500 4x2 and 4x4 have the same "Corporate" rear end. It is shaped like a stop sign. The 2500 has the Dana 60 IIRC.

 

well this is coming out of a 2500. that wouldnt make a difference would it?

 

check a few things.

same octagonal/stop sign shape of the diff.
lug count. 5.
spring perch width 2.50 and distance from backing plate.
yoke - flange from 00-01 vs u-joint cups from older. you can swap yokes, or drive shafts.
overall width.
gear ratio. critical in 4wd, not so much in 2wd, but you want to know what it is. most were 3.55, but some had 3.92 and a precious few had 4.10

 

Like dhvaughan said, the springs are different width and the yoke will be different from a 2500, so the shaft won't fit.

 

Wouldn't the 2500 have an 8 bolt wheel pattern compared to the 5 bolt of the 1500?

 

Yea he knows that, that's what he's trying to do, he has more than one thread going. He's also trying to convert the front to 8 lug.

 

Sounds like he's got quite a bit of work ahead of him.

 

You don't have to, But, you can say that again. And it's a 2wd.