Originally Posted by Keith_L

Dodge did a surprising number of running changes to the 2nd Gens. Most are relatively small but some are significant.

The most obvious is the break from '94-97 and '98-02. This was significant with dash and seats, but also I believe this was the break for shift pattern change for the t-case.

I believe '99 was the first year for a flange at the rear 9.25 pinion yoke rather than a traditional half-circle yoke

'99 (or 2000?) was the start of electric blend door rather than cable-actuated

The rear drum brake hardware also changed around '99 or 2000

Dodge kept moving the valve cover vents/PCV seemingly every year (exaggeration!!) but this is easily worked around or adapted.

Rear window glass went from a rubber seal to urethane around 2000. The cab is the same so you can fit an older seal to the later years, or you could glue in a later glass on an older cab (looks cleaner, more secure, major PITA to ever remove!)

There's more I'm forgetting. Also my memory isn't what it used to be so don't take my stated model years as gospel. If anyone disagrees with my data, I automatically concede THEY ARE CORRECT!

Originally Posted by saneude

I have a 2002 Ram 4x4 that I just purchased. The transmissions catches all gears including reverse but shifts at high RPMs like 2300-2500 and tends to go into its gear after slightly releasing the gas. The truck seems to run ok while in its gear which leads me to think its not the transmission. "I may be wrong" In anycase the previous owner removed the front diff. and I currently found someone parting a 98 Ram 4x4 and considering the purchase of the transmission and front diff. Will the front Diff and transmission be a direct swap without any issues?

Originally Posted by HeyYou

What engine/trans in your truck? 1500? 2500? 3500?

Removed the front diff???

Originally Posted by saneude

My truck is a 1500 with the 4.7. I believe it has the 45RFE transmission and they removed the front differential carrier. The transfer case is still there on my truck. Another question would be, the person selling the parts truck has not responded and I was wondering if a regular automatic transmission will work on the 4x4 transfer case set up? So that in the future I may just get the front differential carrier. Thanks for any replies...

Originally Posted by saneude

My truck is a 1500 with the 4.7. I believe it has the 45RFE transmission and they removed the front differential carrier. The transfer case is still there on my truck. Another question would be, the person selling the parts truck has not responded and I was wondering if a regular automatic transmission will work on the 4x4 transfer case set up? So that in the future I may just get the front differential carrier. Thanks for any replies...

Originally Posted by HeyYou

Nothing from the 98 will swap. Your truck is independent front suspension, the 98 is a solid axle. The engine, trans, and electronics are also radically different. You need a 2002 or newer 1500 as a parts donor. (with same engine and trans that you have.)

Also, since the front diff isn't there, I am going to guess the front axles aren't there either. Keep in mind, the outer CV joints on those axles are what holds the front wheel bearings together. If the stubs aren't there, there is NOTHING preventing the bearings from separating, and your front tire goes a different direction than the rest of the truck. You REALLY don't want to experience that......

A 2wd trans won't work in a 4wd truck, without some heavy modification. Essentially completely rebuilding the trans.......

Originally Posted by HeyYou

Nothing from the 98 will swap. Your truck is independent front suspension, the 98 is a solid axle. The engine, trans, and electronics are also radically different. You need a 2002 or newer 1500 as a parts donor. (with same engine and trans that you have.)

Also, since the front diff isn't there, I am going to guess the front axles aren't there either. Keep in mind, the outer CV joints on those axles are what holds the front wheel bearings together. If the stubs aren't there, there is NOTHING preventing the bearings from separating, and your front tire goes a different direction than the rest of the truck. You REALLY don't want to experience that......

A 2wd trans won't work in a 4wd truck, without some heavy modification. Essentially completely rebuilding the trans.......

Originally Posted by Prismatic

I could be wrong, but I believe Dodge uses the same unit bearings for the 2 and 4 wheel drive 1500's, meaning the stub shaft does NOT need to be present to maintain bearing integrity.

There's no difference between a 2 and 4 wheel drive 5/45RFE. It's just a different tail housing that you bolt on depending on your application. Factory 4 wheel drive spec'd transmissions will have a deeper pan, but that's all.

Originally Posted by Magnoom

Correct on all counts, the only differences being with the front hubs whether or not the truck has 2 or 4 wheel ABS and the later RFE's did away with the different 2wd & 4wd pans and just went with the deeper 4wd pan. The only real difference between a 2wd & 4wd RFE is t-case adapter vs tailshaft.