Rear Axle Interchange?

[JJump]

I would like to change the rear end ratio in my truck from 4. 10 to 3. 54. I located a '97 Dodge Maxi Taxi ( I believe it's a one ton) Ram Van in the salvage yard today. The hood was missing so I couldn't find the equipment list. I couldn't find a data tag on the differential cover, but I found a tag on it that said to use limited slip differrential lube. It has 8 lug bolts & it is's of the design where you can pull the axle shafts without disturbing the wheels. The drums were exposed so I slipped one off-looked like 3"wide brake shoes to me. It has the ABS sensor on top, just like mine. It sure looks a lot like what I have on my truck - could it be a Dana 70? Are the single rear wheel axles the same width between brake backing plates as the dual rear wheel axles? If this could be swapped out it would only run me $70 for the axle drum to drum! Even if it were another 4. 10, it would be nice to have one on the bench while swapping out the gearset, leaving my truck on the road while I learned how to "set one up". But if the backing plates are farther apart than on a dually, well then it's not a whole lot of help.



I appreciate your insight & your time. Thanks for the help!



Joe Jump

St Louis

 

[dpuckett]

Heck, for $70, get it anyway. On the tag between two of the cover bolts, there should be listed the ratio, followed by LS if it is limited slip. THe only way I know to tell for sure is to get out a tape measure and see. I had a 3/4 ton that was real close to the same spacing between the drum and spring as my 1 tons had been. The 1 ton C&C barely had room to get the tube on the bleeder screws- lot narrower.



The 4. 10 Dana 70 takes the same carrier as the 3. 54; might look into getting just a ring and pinion.



Daniel

 

[RGT]

did I read that right? you can remove the brake drum without pulling the axle on that rear end

 

[JJump]

That's What I Said!

That's right - the wheels/tires were removed from the van & I was able to pull the drum right off the lug bolts. I gather from your comment that this is entirely different than how the axle in our trucks are configured-I really need to get a tech manual!!!

 

[AlK]

The first gen trucks have a floating axle. In order to look at the rear brakes you have to pull the axle.