Hopefully I'm doing this post right. I have a 2000 5.9 gas Dodge Ram 2500 with a front u-joint that needs to be replaced. We are having a hard time finding a replacement because according to a Mopar parts dealer the one that is in there now is not stock according to VIN. Specs needed (according to our measurements of the one that's on there now) are bearing caps with 1" sizes & bearing caps with 1 1/8" sizes & a 3 5/8" overall width. Closest I can find (link below) is for a 1999 Dodge but the bearing caps are 1 1/16" & 1 1/8. It looks just like mine but I worry about that 1/16" difference & if possibly we are off from our tape measure. Has anyone ever had this problem or can you lead me in the right direction? Ugh. The pic below is what I have now.

http://www.quad4x4.com/qu40764.html

 

Sounds like someone installed a hybrid joint. Maybe the yoke got replaced at some point.

In any event, just take the one your are replacing to the parts store, have them measure it, and they can order up one for you, if they don't have it on the shelf.

Welcome to DF!

 

Right on - ya we've gone through 3 parts stores here - none of them can bring up the correct part with the correct caps. Only in my research did I find that it may come from a 99. I am about to email 4x4tech.net to see if they can give me more info too. I'd hate to order the wrong one - will let you know what they say but if anyone else has more insight or experience I'm all eyes (since reading, not listening haha).

 

Don't bother with the dealer or your local parts house! They will most likely sell you some junk u joint. I along with others here and other forums know all about the front axle u joints. You need to get spices!!! It you dont the junk you put in will fail and you will be doing the whole job over again. This is a pic of a precision u joint (replaced when i got my truck) and the spicer one next to it(replacement) after it failed.



I have the same truck(96 2500) and have a pair of spicer u joins as in the pic but with out the grease fitting if you are interested. They got sent to me by mistake when i ordered the greasable ones. You can check what joint you need below but it should be the same(dana 60).

http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/dek350.aspx

 

Howdy!! Thank you guys for your quick responses!! I contacted 4x4tech.com via email. They said:

"No joint with 1" caps. This should be the 7290x1330 part"

So I am going to go ahead & order the Spicer QU40764 per the link from them. When we had talked to one of the Mopar dealers he called it a "bastard joint" . Will keep y'all informed on the progress but any other info is more than welcome . My next quest is to look up how to replace my 4wheel drive actuator - is there a thread y'all can direct me to in the meantime?

 

So I ordered the following ujoint:

http://www.quad4x4.com/product/40764...RSION-U-JOINT/

The caps I was worried about fitting were 1/16" bigger (cap sizes 1 1/8 & 1 1/16) than the one on my truck. My son replaced it with no problems. Whew! What a pain. I was lucky to run into quad4x4.com. Now I need to get a 4wheel drive actuator & possibly have my son replace my ball joints - ugh. Thanks everyone for your help! I hope it can help anyone who has the same problem I did!!