As i own several Dodge Rams , from a 1996 4x4 laramie with a 5.2, a 2003 2 wheel drive Hemi 5.7, & a 2004 4x4 Hemi 5.7 laramie.
My question would be could i do a rear end swap with the 96 4x4 and the 04 4x4 , they are both extened cabs and i believe the same 3.55 gear ratios?

 

It's do-able. It's not plug and play though. The drive shaft may be different in length and possibly the yoke. The later rear has disc brakes and the '96 is drum. The bolts pattern is similar with the same s[acing but in 2002, I think, the lug studs were changed.

So, yes you can go it, but it will take work and fabrication.

 

Both 9¼'s, you will need to verify leaf spring spacing and driveshaft length; 3rd gens use a flange and I can't remember off the top of my head whether 2nd gens do or if they bolt in the u-joint the old way. If it bolts in, then you will have to adjust braking bias as F/R bias is set very different for 4 wheel discs than it is for F disc/R drum.

 

I just popped out to look at my '96. It has the traditional 4 arm universal joint with half on the shaft and half on the pinion yoke. No flange plate involved. I seem to remember my old '02 had one.

 

Easily changed, that's the least of the concerns.