different axles
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Professional
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 109
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From: Washington
different axles
im confused and I have looked around but i cant find a clear answer.
i have a dodge ram 1500 and I have heard of people putting axels off (cant remember either a 2500 or 3500) what is the point of doing this. Is it for better towing or what?
thank you and sorry for the dumb question.
i have a dodge ram 1500 and I have heard of people putting axels off (cant remember either a 2500 or 3500) what is the point of doing this. Is it for better towing or what?
thank you and sorry for the dumb question.
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,814
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From: Memphis, TN
Yes a 2500 or 3500 axle will pretty much bolt in place of your existing axle. The main reason is the parts are stronger and you can run bigger tires without worries. I guess it could be used for towing for the bigger brakes but the only reason ive seen is for bigger tires.
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: cedar hill mo
So would 3/4 ton axles bolt right in place of the 1/2 tons? Because im putting different axles instead of doing gears because it will be cheaper as long as i get good axles. From the local junk yard a set of 3.92 gear 1/2 tons is $250 did the 3/4 tons have 3.92s? Thats what i want but ill do 4.10 if theyll bolt right in
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,480
Likes: 4,223
From: Clayton MI
3.55 was the stock ratio for most trucks. There were optional ratios, but, those are rarer than hen's teeth.
There are some minor differences between the half ton, and the heavier axles. Cam bolt size on the front, leaf spring width in the rear. Nothing insurmountable, but, some modifications will have to be made to get 'em to fit. Not to mention some driveshaft mods, as the heavier axles also used bigger u-joints.
There are some minor differences between the half ton, and the heavier axles. Cam bolt size on the front, leaf spring width in the rear. Nothing insurmountable, but, some modifications will have to be made to get 'em to fit. Not to mention some driveshaft mods, as the heavier axles also used bigger u-joints.
Champion
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 8
From: NorCal
^agreeing with HeyYou.
Boltin typically means taking about the same year/brand axle and swapping. So this would mead Dodge axles. Why? B/c of things like the location of the suspension, links, trackbar. Using the same brand and approximate year minimizes some of the effort of fabrication.
Swapping with a different brand, like a Ford, requires completely removal of perches and brackets. This is because teh differential is located slightly different in that the axle tube lengths are different.
You also have to consider what side is dropped for a 4x4, driver or passenger side. This is the side the front driveshaft bolts to the Tcase. HeyYou already commented on drive shaft lengths.
Reasons to go for larger axles is to increase the load rating. What increases the load rating? Bigger tires, Bigger engine, Tcase doubler, Heavy Duty offroading, Tow competition, drag competition, suspension lifts to the clouds, etc. or lastly "b/c I want to".
I could have sworn I saw a DIY by jasonw about swapping a front Dana60. I can't find it now. Edit, found it:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...dana-60-a.html
This link just give some more info in general.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ram-axles.html
Boltin typically means taking about the same year/brand axle and swapping. So this would mead Dodge axles. Why? B/c of things like the location of the suspension, links, trackbar. Using the same brand and approximate year minimizes some of the effort of fabrication.
Swapping with a different brand, like a Ford, requires completely removal of perches and brackets. This is because teh differential is located slightly different in that the axle tube lengths are different.
You also have to consider what side is dropped for a 4x4, driver or passenger side. This is the side the front driveshaft bolts to the Tcase. HeyYou already commented on drive shaft lengths.
Reasons to go for larger axles is to increase the load rating. What increases the load rating? Bigger tires, Bigger engine, Tcase doubler, Heavy Duty offroading, Tow competition, drag competition, suspension lifts to the clouds, etc. or lastly "b/c I want to".
I could have sworn I saw a DIY by jasonw about swapping a front Dana60. I can't find it now. Edit, found it:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...dana-60-a.html
This link just give some more info in general.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ram-axles.html