2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Limited Slip Conversion

[Futures1]

I have recently purchased a 97 Ram 2500 w/ Cummins, 5 speed manual & 2 wheel drive.

Would any one know what is required to convert the diff from standard drive to limited slip, and where the components to do the change could be obtained. Or perhaps could someone suggest who to contact for this information ??

Thanks for the help !!

 

[dremelts]

Welcome to the TDR forum!



You'll find everyone to be very helpful here and most questions can be answered by one of the many experts here, but I'm not one of them - especially when it comes to rear-ends. From my limited understanding of the rear-end though I would think it would be easier to just swap out the whole housing.



Maybe someone else can be more specific on what it would take to convert an open diff to a L. S.

 

[78repowerwagon]

Welcome to the TDR. You need a limited slip diff case for sure. New bearings if your old ones get hurt in teardown, a shim kit and new bolts for your ring gear. Get the power lock it is much stronger than the trak lock.

 

[T-Bone]

Futures1,



I did this conversion on my 1997 4x4 (Dana 70). I purchased a used LSD carrier (not the ring and pinion) for $100. I got the carrier from a guy who had changed from 3:54s to 4:10s. I had a shop do the swap. As part of the swap, I had the clutches rebuilt in the LSD and new carrier bearings installed. The shop set it up very tight. Huge improvement in traction. Both tires now bite. Money well spent for me.



T-Bone

 

[Futures1]

Thanks for the info everyone...



T-bone, where did you go to find the carrier,

do you know what years interchange if any and did you use the same gears ??

I agree that it will be worth the investment, can't understand why they would even offer this sort of a vehicle without the LSD as standard equipment ??

 

[T-Bone]

Futures1,



I actually ordered my truck new from the factory and LSD was not an option with 3:54s at that time. Word is there was a shortage and for a time they just did not offer it.



No sure what years are interchangeable, I just made sure it came out of a Dana 70. I did not put in new gears, just the carrier which I found in the classifieds. There are a couple in the TDR classifieds now. Not sure if they are just the carrier of even still available. Maybe worth a look. It did take a month for me to run one down, but worth the wait compared to the cost of a new part.



Feel free to PM me if you would like seme details.



T-Bone

 

[78repowerwagon]

Futures1,

Check your user control panel, I PMed you.

Matt

 

[Extreme1]

Welcome to the TDR.



I did what you want to do. I bought a used carrier assemby from another member who removed it because he wanted a locker type carrier.



A few things to consider:



1) If you are thinking about doing it yourself, you need to look at the diff articles Joe Donnely wrote in issue 24.



2) You NEED the factory service manual. Don't bother with anything else, the others are incomplete.



3) If you are planning to do it yourself, you'll need a pair of set up bearings. There are a few around that can be rented.



4) Get a shim kit. Leave the old bearings on the carrier you're removing and you can do the whole thing with fairly basic tools.



5) I reused the ring gear bolts (I don't remember my manual saying anything about replacing them).



6) I installed a limited slip out of Okie-go's truck ('00 or '01) into my '94 - no problem.



7) Your truck has a 5 speed so you need the carrier out of a Dana 80.



8) I would disassemble it and inspect the clutches for wear. Usually they don't transmit torque evenly because there is too much limited slip additive added to the lube. Add it one ounce at a time after it starts to "lock" a little bit (slight shuddering on tight corners). It took 6 weeks for mine to do it and one ounce of additive took care of it.



Good luck.

 

[KevinO]

I bought a LS for mine it came in it's own housing. Just had a shop put it in shimming is very important. I would recommend either finding the article on how to repack the clutch plates or buying a locker these LS are just about useless from the factory I can't get mine to spin both tires with the tires on wet grass. Good luck Kevin

 

[Extreme1]

KevinO,



Try draining the lube out and refilling it without any limited slip additive. Mine was loose when I installed it but now it'll do posi burn outs - with dual wheels!

 

[78repowerwagon]

I think what kevinO is talking about is restacking them. When they are restacked they work extremely well.

 

[Futures1]

LSD Conversion

Well everyone. . I really thank you all and appreciate the help !! Amazing )

Having been in law enforcement for some years, I am attempting to decipher and put all of this info. to use in solving the case of requirements for my upcoming conversion.

I have come up with a ton of questions and will post them as I go along.



"T-Bone" and "Kevin O" have got me wondering if there already is an LSD in my truck and it simply isn't working properly ?? I guess the first thing I should do is check that out !!

"78 repowerwagon" suggested that there may be a sticker under the hood with information telling me if there is an LSD already there, so I'll take a look for that and go from there !!



You guys are awesome, back to you soon !!

Dick S.



97 Ram 2500 5 spd, std cab, 2 wd

 

[Extreme1]

The quickest and easiest way to check for LSD (limite slip differential) is to see if the tag is still on the rear end. The trucks come new with a tag attached by one of the diff cover bolts stating that you need to use additive when refilling it. Unfortunately, many owners and mechanics dispose of the tag when doing service work so the lack of one isn't always a sure indication it isn't LSD.



The next quickest check is to jack up both rear wheels (or one wheel with the truck in neutral) and try to rotate the wheel in the air. If you can spin it freely by hand, no LSD. Be sure and block the wheels that are on the ground to keep it from rolling.

 

[Futures1]

LSD Conversion continued

Well everyone, there is a label located on the underside of the hood toward the front.

It contains 3 digit codes, name of item and description.

I. E.

DDX Trans NGV4500

DRL Rear Axle DANA 80

DMD Axle Ratio 3. 5

More about trim and paint is listed there.

Nothing about a limited slip shown on my label !!



It was raining here today so i did not have a chance to jack up the truck to see if turning one rear wheel had any effect on the other.



We shall proceed and keep everyone advised !!



Dick S.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Look in the glove box for a label. My 2001 has one, showing some of the drivetrain options such as the Dana axles and gear ratio and limited slip. Mine's stuck to the glove box door.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

This is another great website to bookmark for later reference.



Dodge Ram (dodgeram.org)



If there isn't a sticker in your glovebox, then the only way to know for sure is to jack it up as mentioned in the earlier posts.

If all else fails, get some fresh 80W90 synthetic axle lube and pull the cover off. Pretty easy to tell then.

 

[Futures1]

Nothing in the glove box

Thanks for the tip Chris. . no sticker in there (

Do you have one on the inside of your hood, they may have changed the sticker location after 97.



Dick S



97 Ram 2500, st'd cab, long bed, 5 spd stick & 2 wd.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

The body tag is under the hood.



With the hood open, it's right near the right hand headlight, popriveted to the radiator support. There is no axle info on it

though. I'm not sure if the 97s have them there or not.





Body tag info and decoding

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Try EBAY

Since you have a 2500 with standard trans, the rear axle may be the Dana 80 hybrid. Do you know what the gear ratio is? If it is 4. 10, then you could use this, assuming your truck is equipped with the Dana 80 which it probably is.

This won't work if you have 3. 54 gears though. Different offset.





EBAY Dana 80 4. 10 Trac Loc



If you do have a Dana 80 and 4. 10 gears, then this is all you need.

 

[Futures1]

No LSD in there;

It stopped raining so I went out on the gravel driveway to be sure that I would have something soft to spin on and lot's of room in front of me. Got out my floor jack and lifted the R R wheel so that the tire just cleared the ground.

By hand, the R R wheel turned with very little effort. . but just to be very sure, I fired up Mr. C,

put the transmission in 3rd gear and let out the clutch.

No forward motion. . I ran Mr. C up to about 1800 RPM and still nothing. I guess there's no LSD in my 97 Dodge Ram 2500.

Next step will be to locate an LSD to fit my 3. 54 Dana 80, I'll keep you posted !!