2003 model 2500 axles

[mark93]

I remember that the '94-'02 Dodge 2500's got either a 9. 25" Chrysler, Dana 60, Dana 70 or Dana 80 Hybrid rear axle depending upon engine/transmission.



I emailed the Dodge website and asked the question: Does the 2003 model 2500 have different front/rear axles depending upon the engine/transmission?



Answer: No.



This means a 2003 Dodge 2500 5. 7L Hemi gets the same 9. 25"/10. 5" American Axles as a H. O. Cummins.



Can any of you knowledgeable ones confirm/deny/debunk/qualify the above.



Thanks.

 

[Rosco]

2500's have a 10. 5 rear axle except for trucks that have a diesel and a manuel transmission combo then they get a 11. 5 rear axle. All 3500's have the 11. 5 rear axle whether there single or dual wheels.

 

[mark93]

Thanks eowens.



Sort of like before, except the V10 used to get the Dana 80 when it was mated to a manual.

 

[nickleinonen]

so if i order a 2500 cummins HO quad shortie it will have the 11. 5" rear end. sweet

 

[lawdog1]

2500 only has the 11. 5" if you get the HO/6spd. , otherwise you get the 10. 5".

 

[ladyjaine]

Learn something new every day. I'm happy. I won't really need it often, but I do enjoy over engineering.



Jean

 

[jimnance]

I have had three Dodge Diesels and now have an '03 2500 Q. C. H. O. diesel.



I have never had any trouble with the Dana axles and differentials in my past trucks. The American Rear End is new to me.



What do you hear about it's engineering and durability??

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Jimnance, the AA axles Dodge is now using are the same ones

that GM has been using. The 2500HD and 3500 GM trucks use

them and have been since 2000-2001 I believe.



Anyone else know more? I heard the 14 bolt full-floating

axle used under GM 2500-3500 and DRW trucks since the mid

1980s was built by AA.



Little more detail. The GM AA axles have a drain plug at the base

of the carrier so you don't have to remove the axle cover to do a

quickie gear lube change. The Dodge trucks I have looked at with

AA axles do not have a drain plug. No big deal since I would be

installing a MagHytec axle cover anyway.



Also the GM trucks get option code G80 which is an Eaton locking

differential. Not a clutch type limited slip. The Eaton is awesome

for an OEM application. Put one wheel on ice or pinestraw and

one on blacktop and it will spin both! Not so with a clutch type.

When they reach a torque threshold the clutches cannot hold any

longer and you will still be stuck.



I'm curious if Dodge will ever get the Eaton locker. . hmm. Or how

much trouble it would be to install one in a new Ram. Probably

more cost effective to go with another brand that is available in

the aftermarket like Detroit Locker.

 

[$BANKS$rupted]

Can anybody give a guestimate on what swapping gears in a 11. 5 AA would cost? I have 4. 11 limited-slip now and I am thinking of swapping the R&P to 3. 73.

 

[nickleinonen]

how about one of those new eaton E-locker? that would be great. works like a normal eaton lsd/locker and flip a switch and then solid lock... .

Originally posted by Chris N5CWM

Jimnance, the AA axles Dodge is now using are the same ones

that GM has been using. The 2500HD and 3500 GM trucks use

them and have been since 2000-2001 I believe.



Anyone else know more? I heard the 14 bolt full-floating

axle used under GM 2500-3500 and DRW trucks since the mid

1980s was built by AA.



Little more detail. The GM AA axles have a drain plug at the base

of the carrier so you don't have to remove the axle cover to do a

quickie gear lube change. The Dodge trucks I have looked at with

AA axles do not have a drain plug. No big deal since I would be

installing a MagHytec axle cover anyway.



Also the GM trucks get option code G80 which is an Eaton locking

differential. Not a clutch type limited slip. The Eaton is awesome

for an OEM application. Put one wheel on ice or pinestraw and

one on blacktop and it will spin both! Not so with a clutch type.

When they reach a torque threshold the clutches cannot hold any

longer and you will still be stuck.



I'm curious if Dodge will ever get the Eaton locker. . hmm. Or how

much trouble it would be to install one in a new Ram. Probably

more cost effective to go with another brand that is available in

the aftermarket like Detroit Locker.

 

[Augie]

Originally posted by $BANKS$rupted:

Can anybody give a guestimate on what swapping gears in a 11. 5 AA would cost? I have 4. 11 limited-slip now and I am thinking of swapping the R&P to 3. 73.

I had a '99 3500 with Dana 80 Hybrid w/4. 10. I looked into swapping for 3. 54 and all associated parts. I was quoted $700-$800 parts & labor, that changed my mind quick! 2 different axles but just food for thought.

 

[kwoods]

Originally posted by $BANKS$rupted

Can anybody give a guestimate on what swapping gears in a 11. 5 AA would cost? I have 4. 11 limited-slip now and I am thinking of swapping the R&P to 3. 73.

When it is time to put new tires on your truck go with a set of 315/75/17's (35 inch tire) and you will be running about the same ratio as a 3. 73:1 with stock (31. 5 inch) tires..... That is the reason I ordered 4. 10's, I am going to put a set of 35's on my truck... ... . Just my two cents... .....

 

[DIESELMAN]

BTW, the Limited Slip is the American TracRite GT on our '03's.



http://www.aam.com/technology/tech_prod_dl_diff.html#TRGT

 

[DLeno]

Originally posted by Rosco

2500's have a 10. 5 rear axle except for trucks that have a diesel and a manuel transmission combo then they get a 11. 5 rear axle. All 3500's have the 11. 5 rear axle whether there single or dual wheels.

What size is the Dana 80 and how does this axle compare (durabilty wise) with the 11. 5" american? Hard to imagine any improvement over the Dana 80.

 

[ANutt]

My 2500 HO auto has the 11. 5" axle.



2500's have a 10. 5 rear axle except for trucks that have a diesel and a manuel transmission combo then they get a 11. 5 rear axle. All 3500's have the 11. 5 rear axle whether there single or dual wheels.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Lawdog,



FYI I drove a Cal SO 5 speed last week and it had a 11. 5 rear axle. Must be all manuals. It was sweet. Still on the fence between 5,6 and 48RE. Good thing i cant afford to buy one right now(if that is possible ) as i cant make up my mind.



Best regards



DD

 

[Rosco]

ANutt, when that post was started sometime last fall the HO/48re with the 11. 5 axle had not been released by Dodge yet so only the SO/47re with the 10. 5 axle was available.



Also, I have a HO/48re with the 11. 5 axle as well.

 

[ANutt]

Guess I should pay more attention to the dates, huh?