question on rearends

[camodaddy]

i have a 1998 dodge ram 1500 4x4 and the rearend is almost out. found a rear out of 1994 dodge 2x4 1500 with 40 some thousand miles on it with same ratio as my truck. the question is are the two rearends compatible i/e direct replacement or not any help would be appreciated

[Hero]

My first instinct is to say they should be direct swaps. But I cant say for sure. Take some pics of each of em and compare. The internals dont matter, its the external mounting points and whatnot you are going to have to worry about. Good luck with it!

[mondtster]

Are the 2wd trucks spring over or spring under? Its been a long time since I have looked at a 2wd full size dodge since they are kind of rare around here. I know the dakotas are spring over in the 4x4's and spring under in the 2x4's, so I was thinking they might be the same in the full size trucks?

If the 2wd truck is indeed spring under, then it won't be a direct bolt in because the spring perches are on the wrong side of the axle.

Quick question, but what is wrong with your current axle? Wouldn't it possibly be cheaper and easier (or about the same money at least) to rebuild the one you have? If you rebuilt yours, you would at least know what you have vs. a junkyard axle that may have a bad bearing shortly down the road or something.

[v10sport]

They are spring over, the just dont have the 3" factory block like the 4wd's do. It should bolt right in. You may have to swap out the tone ring sensor though.

[camodaddy]

thanks for the help guys, not real familiar with dodge (its my dd) my trail whore is a 90 ranger. the pinion bearing is almost gone in my rear and i found the other rear with only 40xxx miles off of a wrecked 94 for $200 with wheels, tires and leafs. and i dont have another dd so i can put this one in the shop. i can swap the rears in my garage in a couple of hours, instead of having the whole truck out of commission for about a week. my plan is to put the other rear in then have the bad one rebuilt for a backup.

thanks again,
brad

[SolidAxleDurango]

They are spring over, the just dont have the 3" factory block like the 4wd's do. It should bolt right in. You may have to swap out the tone ring sensor though.

Yup. I don't ~think~ 94's had it there. If they did not, your tranny/speedo/MIL will not be happy.

The tone ring rides in a groove machined into the carrier. To add it to the 94 axle (carrier from the 98) will have you re-setting gears.