Hi all,
New to Dodge ownership
'96 Ram, 5.2l, Auto, extra cab few tasteful mods, RWD. I'm in Australia so don't have quite the availability of parts.
I'm chasing Universal joints but there seems to be several sizes, can anyone advise?
Cheers Andrew

 

I'm not sure if the u joints are the same for single shaft or double, You didn't say what you have. May want to post in the second gen category. You could have a look here.

 

I'll have a look and let you know

 

One piece or two piece shaft? I've got a similar truck. I have the 55.9 as well as 4X4 but I think the rear shaft will be the same.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12573110381...Bk9SR_jNw7e1ZA

My truck uses a two joint, one piece shaft. Both joints are the same. Being in Oz, your price may vary.

 

I have checked,
2 piece shaft, 3 universal joints, centre bearing.
I'm assuming the parts on eBay you sent the link for are correct by the reading of their description. But there seems to be 2 different dimensions according to another supplier? If you recommend these guys I'll go ahead and order 3 .
Thanks again

 

You can measure them to verify which size you have.

 

My truck uses a one piece shaft. I think the bearing caps that are clamped in place are the same size. The body might be thicker or thinner depending on the manufacturer.. Does your truck look like mine?



Yours is probably a more solid truck as we do have to deal with ice and snow here, but I think a long bed might have the three piece shaft. I've seen guys use a lighter u-joint then get into some serious heavy pulling and blow the joint when the body fails. When your output shaft really honks down on torque, ALL the power is transmitted by the cast metal of the joint. Are you towing heavy loads or going rock climbing with the truck? I've seen the thick gumbo mud here in the Ohio river valley twist driveshafts under load before a really heavy u-joint failed. The joint in this meme is heavier than what you have but it'll give you an idea of the pressure involved in a little piece of metal.



That's a constant velocity joint on a steering knuckle, but you get the idea. I'd go with Moog brand just to be safe.

 

Get Spicer SPL joints if you plan on keeping your truck. Superior quality compared the most of the joints available. They have a three lip seal that keeps the grease in and water/dirt out. Spicer used to have site where you provide the vehicle info and it would give you a list of each joint in it. It's gone now but i did find this, just look up your truck and configuration and it tells you what joints are available and the part #.

 

With u-joints I ALWAYS measure. Note Dodge is often fond of a weird crossover joint that not only uses 2 sizes but internal and external clips.

I'm not sure if these were prevalent in '96 2wd.

This is a 458BF or 2-1175BF