HemiMoparGuy1981-

You would have a lot of time and money spent on making a fake Power Wagon. You would still lack the front Smart Bar (disconnecting anti-sway bar) of the Power Wagon. You would be much better off trading your truck in for a genuine Power Wagon.

 

I found an article about mega cabs that came out in 06, and it also casually mentioned how Dodge was the last to switch to the "more comfortable ride of IFS" in half tons (other than mega cab) So does this mean that 02-05 trucks were still SFA, and if so, would it mostly be a direct bolt on to my truck, as it "seems" not much changed from 05-06?

 

Ok, I found my answer...Searching for CV axles for all the various years at Advance Auto website, they all have the same part numbers for CV axles

 

For the 1500 4X4 (Ram) series: 2001 was the last year for a Solid-Front Axle. When the 2002 redesign came out, 2002-present, it was cursed with the Independent Front Suspension. Following the lead of Chevrolet/G.M.C. 1500, 2500, 3500 and Ford F-150. The 2006-2008 1500 Mega Cab is an exception. It is based off of of the 2500 (Solid-Front Axle) chassis.

The Dodge Ram 2500 (1500 Mega Cab); and Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 have retained the heavy duty Solid-Front Axle design.

 

04 or 05 Dodge stoped using Dana axles and built thier own, all truck builders now use non greasable u joints on 2500 + trucks, your screwd on a solid front axle 4x4 when the a front ujiont goes, you go now where, I have been towed to get my Ram repaired under warenty and dodge would not install greaseable Ujoints on thier dime.

Thats really the weekest link I can find on a power wagon based on owning a lesser 2500 Ram.

 

Actually, they stopped in 2002, and they now uses axles from AAM (American Axle manufacturing).

But yeah, no lockouts on the front axle makes it a sumbetch to keep driving with a broken axleshaft ujoint. Plan for more damage to occur aside from a measly joint (almost always at least one sahft too).

 

Thanks for correcting me, prior to 06 I was a Ford guy and Knew nothing abought Dodge, the hemi is a great power train and issues with all my u joints, front to back, as well as the rear carrier bearing my never happen on a new 2500 Ram, I would buy a new 2500 Ram if the U joints were old school grease every 5000, miles or so, I have no issues with maintance, but for a truck with a reputation of a Power wagon, thier no power when the u joints go.

 

Would anyone see any actual problems with if I were to put a 2500 front axle on, and keeping the 9.25 rear 1500 axle on my truck...atleast temporarily to cut costs, or spread the cost out? Aside from the obvious, the 9.25 rear isn't as HD as the 10.5 in the 2500, is there any other reason I should worry about doing this for the time being?


Also, if I end up going with after market air lockers, and I decide to put air bags on the rear suspension for load and such, can the same compressor be used to raise/lower the bags as well as open and close the lockers??

 

yes, I for see problems, first is the 2500 axle is a 373, or 410, or 456 (power wagon ) thiers more axle ratios on the 1500 rear axle, stock for stock front diff and rear diff don't have the same gear ratios, and the stearing linkage, ie rack and pinion 1500 ram will not fit the front 2500 axle, and front drive shaft will not fit a 1500 transfer case and even if this did work, you have two drive shafts that are not = in lbs and the whole drive train would be off balance.

I don't see the point in throwing in a 2500 drive train on to a 1500 ram front and rear axles are longer and will not bolt up to a 1500 frame ( you could custom fit ) but for all the head aches its not worth it.

stay 1500 Ram, or go 2500 Ram

 

Basically, I just want selectable front and rear lockers, of which there is none available for the 1500 front axle, so I'm looking at options to make it work