Does anyone out there know the actual difference between the 2500 and the 3500 other than more springs?

 

other than being able to handle more of a load. . .nope

 

What year truck? The '94-'02 Ram 3500's were all dual rear wheel. The '03+ come dual or single. Another big mistake by Diamler.

 

3/4 tons usually have dana 60 rear axles and dana 44 fronts, diesels and 1 tons generally have dana 60 fronts and 70 rears iirc.

 

You're right about the rear axles, but most 3/4 tons did have the 60 front. Look at the GVWR, if it's 8800 pounds or higher then it's a Dana 60 front.

 

Progressive 2 stage rear spring on 2500, progressive 3 stage spring on 3500. Axles are the same up front, Dana 60s or Corporate comparable. Rear axles can be trickier. One ton single rear wheels and 2500s with High Outputs have the same rear axle. If you opted for the 2003 or short run 2004 2500 w/standard output Diesel you got the smaller rear axle. Obviously a dually has a different style front axle and a dually rear, it's a dually after all.

 

the axels on my 04 are AAM. I wish I had DANA axels, the ball joints on these AAM axels are junk[>:]

 

The ball joints on my front Dana 60 SUCKED too...

Oh yah, and my rear Dana 60 has a TON of extra backlash in the ring and pinion, it's making noise, and vibrates like hell on the freeway. I have to rebuild it soon. [:@]

 

Of course it depends on the year. My 86 has a gross weight of 8510, making it heavy duty and exempt from cats, but it has a D44 up front.

Not sure why Daimler switched to the AAM axles. Hopefully the aftermarket will get up to speed on them soon.