2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Axel Swap

[CMacDonald]

I have a chance to swap the front axel from my 98 12 Valve to a front axel from a 2001 with the better brakes.

Has anyone done this ?

Is it a direct swap?

Thanks for any help

 

[CMacDonald]

Lots of views anybody have any thoughts??

 

[Hammer]

I would NOt do this at all.



The 2000-2002 trucks front axles are notorious for ball joint issues and you do not have that with the axle in the 98 trucks. If it was me I would rather upgrade the brakes with aftermarket rotors and calipers instead of the newer axle... ... . Andy

 

[Extreme1]

I've seen posts about this. Here is a link to one: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/2nd-generation-ram-forum-no-engine-transmission-discussions/211647-change-03-front-axel.html



I will be swapping an '01 axle sometime after I finish (find time to work on) my truck.



The only updates I've seen is slotted rotors (dissapate heat better) and "better" calipers (rebuilt with premium parts but still the same). Now if you were considering bolting up a larger diameter rotor and some different calipers, we'd be talking better.



The hydro-boost helps pedal apply force and the newer calipers do give a little better pressure/force ratio. Have you driven an '03 or newer truck? That's what I'd like but it ain't gonna happen. (17" wheels required) Front what I've found, the '99-'02 brakes and the '03 and up brakes are almost same BUT not quite. The front calipers are different to match the bigger rotor but the rears used different brackets.



I've got an '01 front and will find a rear disc brake dually axle to finish the job if the newer front and hydro-boost don't do it for me.

 

[DCreed]

Does anyone know if the spindles or what makes the 01-02 brakes have the outboard rotors? thats the only gripe I have w/mine is having to pull 1/2 the front end apart to change rotors.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Does anyone know if the spindles or what makes the 01-02 brakes have the outboard rotors? thats the only gripe I have w/mine is having to pull 1/2 the front end apart to change rotors.

They all have the same type unit bearing/hub assemblies so not any easier to work on.

 

[DCreed]

IIRC the 01-02 had OUTBOARD rotors so the hub doesnt have to come off to change them?

 

[CumminsPower98]

Hmmm, I don't know. Could be, I haven't worked on one, just figured they were the same.

 

[WDixon27]

or is it that uber expensive unitized assembly where you replace the whole thing and the dually spacer is part of it, i have seen them on chevys and since they share a good bit of the front end small parts with dodge (my rotors and bearing hubs are chevy) i could see that being the case

IIRC the 01-02 had OUTBOARD rotors so the hub doesnt have to come off to change them?

 

[Extreme1]

'01-'02 dually spacers are seperate like the earlier spacers but they are not interchangable with the earlier spacers.



The earlier dually unit bearings have a smaller pilot hub diameter than the non-duallys (in '94 you could get a 3/4 ton dually!) which made it so the spacer wouldn't fit on a non-dually without machining the bore or using the right bearing. The later ('00-'02) unit bearings are the same EXCEPT that the duallys had 4 wheel ABS standard and on the 3/4 tons it was optional. So when you see the listing for the parts there are 2 front wheel unit bearing parts, HD and non-HD. They are the same part except for the "HD" having a tone ring for the 4 wheel ABS.



The dually spacers for the newer trucks will fit either the HD or non-HD unit bearing.



When you disassemble the front, wirewheel the rust off the OD of the unit bearing and the ID of the spindle. Coat both mating surfaces and bore OD and ID with COPPER based anti-sieze and next time it will come right off. I live in WI (spray "salt" will corrode anything) and I've taken them apart after 3 years by hand after the bolts are out.

 

[DBurroughs]

I was going to do the same thing, swap an '01 axle into a '97, for the brakes, what about the master cylinder?

 

[HHhuntitall]

The outboard rotor and an updated caliper are the majority of the differences. The bearing assemblies have tone rings inside for the ABS systems, and if you use those bearing housings on your '98, you need to be sure the holes for the ABS sensors are plugged. I'd suggest upgrading the rotors and calipers, and leaving the axle alone. You'll have to have the entire axle realigned, unless you know how to do that. The master cylinder should be compatible, I believe they have more than enough stroke and capacity. I'm not sure about the offset. I've done this on a truck I bought with a blown motor(a '97), but I can't remember if I changed the bearings to the later model housings or if I used the '97 hubs. I think I used the '97 hubs, and just used the calipers and rotor off an '01. Be sure you get the parts for the 4500lb(dana 60) axles. I need to do a '97 here in the next few months, if you get back to me, I'll let you know... .

 

[HHhuntitall]

And as far as bearing failures... . well, looks like the lowest bidder won, but we lost! If you're going to go that far, look at a set of free spin hub kits, and pack your bearing with your choice of Hightemp/highpressure grease.

 

[SRath]

Andy, what is different about '01 balljoints that makes them more problematic ?

(as if that were possible... balljoints are the most idiotic thing along with unitized hubs to ever appear on a serious pickup with a Dana 60... stupid, stupid, stupid engineers and bean counters! When they next start putting balljoints instead of kingpins on semis, it's time to get off the highway!) Pardon my rant, but I always have a small hope that some Dodge 'engineer' might read my words and feel my heartfelt contempt for the frontends on these trucks. The words: "Dodge" and "DEATH Wobble" forever forming one universally understood phrase is his legacy!

 

[Swineheart]

I put a 2002 axle in my 1997 and I increased my braking bye almost 50%. Also up graded to dyna trac hubs it was a pricey upgrade and I did the work. I still need to figure out how to adjust the steering box to take the wander out.

 

[JMcCoy]

I believe there is a company out there making stronger, adjustible, and greasable ball joints. I cant remember who and don't know how good they are



Swineheart, there is an adjustment allen locknut on the top of the steering box. I would highly recomend the 3rd gen track bar and steering box stablizer.



I wish someone would help us and manufacture an upgraded brake system. Not a single piston, remanufactured kit, like EGR overpriced systems.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I believe the upper line MOOG ball joints 94-02, and '03s are all greasable. I get mine from Orielly's..... they all came with grease zerks to put in after you get them installed.



Casey

 

[SRath]

Dynatrac is offering new rebuildable ball joints. Supposed to be stronger. I considered trying them on my plow truck, but went with Moog because I could not get some questions answered by Dynatrac and these are too new to have any meaningful feedback available on their durability. A snowplow test truck would answer that in a hurry. Did I mention $600 per set?

 

[JMcCoy]

$600 wow!!!