W250 rear axle compatibility

[EZ]

The 3.54 rear end on my 92 W250 locked up and punched through the front of the housing last week so now I'm in the market for a complete rear axle. I found one on Craigslist nearby but it's a 3.55 from a 1998 2500. What axles are compatible? I read somewhere that the D250 axle was interchangeable. Also, can I use a 3.55 in place of a 3.54? Thanks!

 

[tobaccogrower]

if you put a 3:55 in the back you need to change the front to 3:55 also.

 

[mweiman]

I believe the spring hangers will be different and maybe the yoke. I am sure it can be adapted just not sure how easily. It may have a better brake setup also on the 98. I have a housing from a 92 w250 that I sold the carrier out of. Complete from drum to drum otherwise, if you are interested let me know. Not sure how far apart we are though. I may know where another complete axle is at also, if it has not been sold.
Matt

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The eassiest swap will be from another first gen Dodge, 1972-1993. The spring pads will be correct but the yoke may not accommodate your size u-joints.

 

[DVolk]

you can run a 354 and a 355 together alot of older trucks if it had a 411 in back had a 4:09 in front etc

 

[EZ]

I found a write up on putting a 2nd gen axle on a 1st gen. Have to do some fabbing with the spring mounts and the shock mounts. It's more than I want to get into. I've found a couple complete 1st gen axles within a days drive on Craigslist but was hoping for something closer like the Memphis or Nashville area (I'm in the middle between the two). I've seen a couple on car-part.com but they are considerably more expensive and not really much closer. I found that old Broncos came stock with 3.55 in the front and 3.50 in the back so I bet the 3.55 will work but I'll focus on the 3.54s. Thanks for the help fellas!

 

[Andy314]

I think in 1997 when they changed a lot of other things this could be an issue. I put a 95 D250 single wheel dana 70 in my 92 D350 dually, and it fit with no issues.. So I would stay 95 or older..

 

[jdross440]

Check out www.car-part.com. they show some in TN.

 

[mysteryman]

I have plenty of 3.55 rear ends that will fit properly. It really is not worth the trouble to change everything around to make the later axles fit. As for what will fit....1972 threw 1993 Dodge pickup trucks that have Dana 70 axles. Basically there are 2 different models . The standard 70 and the 70 HD. The 70HD
has larger hubs and wheel bearings. It also has 4 pinion spider gears and a 2 piece carrier. . The 89-93 cummins trucks came from the factory with standard 70's in the D/W250 and 350'S single wheel trucks.
The dually's had a combination of standard 70 with 1 piece carrier center section and 70HD wheel bearings and hubs... A spicer "power lock" posi unit was also an option. The power lock had 4 pnion spider gears and a 2 piece carrier. 89-93'S had fiber faced clutch discs. This was done to quiet down the posi unit. The public consumers complained about the snap crackle pop the all steel clutch plates would make. The noise was the worst when getting off the interstate on a clover leaf exit. All the gear oil would get slung out of the clutch plates when the truck travels for hours at high speed. It takes a few miles going slow to get back into them. They are real noisy and jerky until the oil returns. The fiber discs were a lot quieter but they wear out vary fast ! I have NEVER seen a set last more than 40 K . The steel ones last forever it seems.. There are basically 3 different widths of housing. The spring center line is the same on all 72-93 Dodge D/W100 threw 350's and Ramcharger. The wheel flange center lines are where they differ . The dual wheel 70 in a "cab chassis" (longer frame than a pickup) You will see them with work truck bodies of various kinds. You can use this in a single wheel p/u . You CAN NOT
use this in a dually pickup ! It is too narrow ! The next is the single wheel Pickup.. enough said there. The last is the dual wheel pickup better know as a DUALLY PICKUP ! It is the widest of all the the rears. They are also the most difficult to find in good condition. Be sure to fully inspect before buying one.Check for loose races in the rear pinion bearing. They also like to spin the diff. carrier bearing races in the bearing caps then chew up the axle tubes they butt up against... Also check the underside of the spindles for wear. People like to over tighten the wheel bearings . As the rear warms up the bearings lock and start rotating on the spindle wearing a groove on the underside . Wear in any of the places I mentioned above renders the housing JUNK! I just recently bought a HUGE Leblond lathe 36" swing by 144" on center. I plan on starting to repair dually and 3.07 housings . I am looking for a 50 to 100 ton press for straightening the bent ones. Let me know if anyone has or knows of one for sale. Thx MM