Hey all

Little while back I posted about some rear end noise. Even with recommendations I couldn't pinpoint so I took it to a shop, the only one relatively close that could do it. Has a good reputation. They told me the bearings were "screaming" in their words, and recommended I not drive it long distance. Quote me $600 in labor plus couple hundred in parts.

I am keeping my options open. It's a third vehicle so I'm not going to rush to drop a grand on rebuilding the rear end of a truck I paid $1100 for. My question is, outside of 2nd gens, are there other years I could reasonably look at for a used axle as a replacement? I know this route comes with its own perils, but like I said keeping the options open. I found a decent set of 3/4 ton axles, but looked into the swap process and not something I want to tackle. Also looked into doing the bearings myself. Still considering. I looked around online and couldn't find any answers reasonably conclusive.

 

Second gens are still fairly plentiful, and axles are pretty easy to get. Check around the yards in your area, you can likely find one with the correct gears for your truck.

What year is your truck? 2 or 4 wheel drive? Weight rating? Current gear ratio?

 

98 4x4 3.55s 1500. Not sure weight rating.

I only have one small yard close - and frankly, if anything would be deemed non essential currently, a junk yard would be. But I haven't checked. I was just trying to increase my probability of success as I surf Craigslist.

 

You want a corporate 9.25 rear diff, every 1500 truck will have one. Ideally, you want something from a 98 to 01, older axles will work, going back to 94, and maybe even earlier, but, I think the rear wheel speed sensor connector is different. Just need to swap out for the correct sensor. (steel the one out of your rear end.)

 

What do you think about newer half tons, into the third gen?

 

You are good up to 08

 

would i have to do anything different if i swapped a 04 axle into my truck instead of a 99. and would i be axle to put my factory drum brakes on a 3rd gen ram axle that has disc brakes

 

It should be a direct bolt in, would just have to use your 99 sensor that goes in the diff. Can't put drum brakes on the 04 as the flange that the backing plate bolts to is different

 

what kind of work would it take to use the disc brakes from the 04

 

Parking brake cables and brake lines going to the calipers.