Hello.. I have a question on the Dana 60 rearend in our 1997 Ram 2500. When you jack this up and turn the one wheel forward should the other side turn in reverse. Im not used to these newer rears as like the older pig style limited slip or sure grips in performance dodges where they both turned in same direction. I noticed the front seal was leaking and we had an issue where the one tire locked up several times. I haven't tore anything apart yet but be do have it up on stands and both wheels are turning now in opposite directions..

THnaks

 

That's normal for an open rear end.

 

So these are all open rearends these days?

 

No, the factory shipped both limited slip and open. If you drive in snow, I recommend swapping in a limited slip. I haven't used my 00 in the snow yet, but my 04 was awesome with the limited slip rear - and I didn't have to pop it into 4x4 until I hit steep hills. I did get the 00 into some really soppy field conditions this Friday night, a subaru and a tahoe were already stuck bad - but there wasn't anywhere else to park and I had to attend the game, so I started into the field w/o 4x4 and immediately started spinning and stopped forward progress. I put the shifter into 4x4 and got the truck moving enough in reverse to lock the front axle, then all was good - really no problems with probably less than 5/32nds on 275 60 20 Goodyear SRAs. Next time I'll put it into 4x4 immediately just before entering muddy fields, not sure what I was thinking.

Factory limited slips are a Dana brand clutch type... traclock is the name of Dana's product that year, and they are rebuild-able. There are also some aftermarket choices. You want to make sure you get the right spline count for the axle ends, if you buy one. I cannot remember for sure, but I think they are 32. The computer that holds most of my truck notes died last week.

 

The axles in my Dana 60 are 30 spline. I've found 30 spline axles in my 1996 Dana 60 rear and the 2001 Dana 60 disc brake rear that I'm installing in my truck. While Dana made a Trac Lock limited slip unit, they also made Power Lock limited slip units, which are stronger and more aggressive than the Track Lock. You can still find Power Lock units new from aftermarket sources. As fj5gtx mentioned, you definitely want to be sure of the spline count of your axles before buying a limited slip unit. Also, be aware that some aftermarket limited slip units may not be machined to allow for the installation of the factory tone ring, so be sure to check that too, if you decide to purchase a limited slip unit.

 

What are the differences between the Track and Power lock

 

So my question would be if mine is to be factory limited slip would these wheels still spin in opposite directions when turning one wheel when jacked up?

 

Looking at the build sheet from my VIN it lists this:

4.10 Rear Axle Ratio 200MM Rear Axle Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle

 

I'm pretty sure both wheels should turn the same direction, I think I did that test after I got the 00.

Test for the limited slip is one wheel up, and see how much torque it takes to turn that wheel. See the FSM for specs on that torque value.

 

Yes, if the rear has a 'working' limited slip unit and both wheels are off the ground, when turning one of the wheels, the other wheel should turn in the same direction. Your rear may have a limited slip unit in it, but it may need repairs. Best to pull the inspection cover and have a look to see what's in there, especially if you bought this truck used and are not the original owner.