I am thinking of swaping out my IFS and going solid axle due to the restrictions I have come across with my front suspension but this being my 1st Ram was wanting to see if anyone had any input on if I should keep IFS or go solid axle. I cant fit any wider tire than a 14.50 tire without spacers and restudding my lugs.

 

Why not get a 2500 Ram, will save you a lot of grief.

In 2005, or 2006, not sure on the year, Dodge began building thier own front, rear axles on the 2500, prevuious years had Dana diffs.

If you swap in a solid front axle, you have to match the rear axle with the same gearing.

 

Buy wheel/tires that fit?

 

In the 2500 series American Axle Manufacturing front and rear ends started being used in 2003. 2002 and down used Dana axles. Having owned both there are plusses and minuses to each. The Dana front had center axle disconect which can on occaision not lock the front in right away. My Dana however, went over 100k miles without needing unit bearings or ball joints. The AAM had two sets of each by 100K. As far as the rear goes the AAM comes with disc brakes and the Dana had drums. Gears and lockers for the AAM f&R ends are harder to find and much more expensive. All in all I think the Danas were better.
1/2 tons use a corperate (Dodge) rear end and a Dana 44 front until '02. I'm not sure on 3rd gen 1/2 ton specs except that they screwed up and went ifs.

 

If you were the type of guy that knew how to do it, I think it'd be an easy swap.

 

I hate my IFS just as much as everyone else does but I've searched and searched....havent found anyone that makes a kit to do the swap. If i had a second vehicle to get me to work i'd start drawing some stuff up for this swap. I think thats really our only option is to just try it ourselves.....definatly wont be easy though.

BDS does make a high clearance kit now for 2002-2005 rams, which eliminates the torsion bar drop but that still doesnt get rid of CV's

 

Man, you'd have to do a lot to do a solid axle swap, I made a post earlier with only about 50 or 60 percent of the stuff you would need. It's a pain in the a$$. Helped a buddy with an f350 change to militaries and he's running 54's with stacks through the bed. It takes everything for me to get my hinie in that darn truck. Love it though. With help from Chuck's trucks here in orlando.

 

It a lot of work! We just put a dana 44 in my buddys cheby but its sweet! He now has 12" lift plus 44" tires!!! HUGE! The hardest part is drilling through the frame. He got his kit from off road direct dot com but idk if they have a dodge kit. Just search aroung google and you should find some answers!