Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Just How Rare are...Early 98 2500, 12 Valve, SWB, QC, 4x4, SLT, 5 Speed ??

[Forrest Nearing]

I would claim him as kin and put him in the will after that!!!!!1

well, I did have to pay him for it! LOL! but he gave me a heck of a deal, even let me snag the driveshaft so I could have one built, and he also gave me a good deal on a 913 pump... I don't know about "in the will", but I'll probably buy him a 20 pack of 'stones next time I head over

 

[tgrfan2]

When my left carrier bearing went out and turned the race at 75k. Back then I was only towing a TT which I had pulled many more miles with my 95 CTD w/o LS. I tried to find a Dana 80. No luck finding anything low mileage then. Housing and all ran almost $3Gs. That one went 75K again before I found shavings. It was the left side again. The dealer insisted on going back completely Dodge on that one. I have 40k on these bearings and I found an independent garage that specializes in rear ends to do the job. I check the magnet at every oil change because by the time I can hear it the damage is done.

I think everyone I have talked to has had the left side go out. I hope I get a few more miles than 75K out of this repair.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Forrest, how difficult was the swap? I hear the newer axles (2000 up) are wider, was that noticeable when you swapped out?



Vaughn

 

[Forrest Nearing]

about that...



I haven't had any time to do the swap! :{



maybe some time this summer



Forrest

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Sounds like that Jammer turbo I've had sitting on my shelf for 13 months!



Forest I ask because weak96 Ram on NW Bombers swapped in a Dana 80 from a '01 into his '99 and it was considerably wider and made his rear tires stick out. Not that much but it was noticeable. Figures it was about 2" wider.



Another reason I ask is I'm about to pick up a '98 12v shortbed 4x2 auto which of course is the D70, W/O limited slip in this case. I thought about looking for a newer D80 with LSD to swap out but I will probably look for a '99 or older axle and not worry about finding disk brakes. The truck will be relatively light anyway and I don't plan to tow much.



Vaughn