1999 dana 70 put in 2002 ram 1500

[AustinAH]

Hi I have purchased a dana 70 rear end axle out of a 1999 ram 2500 truck and would like to install on my 2002 3rd gen ram 1500. I'm not too sure where I should start and I was really hoping I'm not the first one trying to accomplish this. I would really love any help or tips I can get!

 

[HemiLonestar]

Need to check if the spring perches are the same width apart, if not then you'd have to reweld the perches to match your truck. Then you'll most likely need a custom driveshaft or at least change the end to match the axle, as 1500's have flanges vs bolting in the u-joint to the pinion yoke. Then there's the whole bolt pattern mismatch, as the bigger axle should be 8 lug vs your original 5 lug. Why do you want to do this?

 

[AustinAH]

My main goal in doing the swap is because it's build a little stronger then the stock 1/2 ton and I got it for a really good deal of 100$

 

[Jimmy68]

You wasted a $100. Especially if your truck is four wheel drive.
So you have a $100 diff that won't actually bolt in without modification. More money spent. Wheels need to be bought, tires bought, driveshaft altered. speedometer corrected, etc, etc. Plus the mechanic/welder hired to do the job.
If you can do all this yourself, cool. You'll have a basterdized 1500 with a 3/4t rear diff.
But if you could do this you wouldn't be asking how.
After all it is an easy swap.

 

[HemiLonestar]

You wasted a $100. Especially if your truck is four wheel drive.
So you have a $100 diff that won't actually bolt in without modification. More money spent. Wheels need to be bought, tires bought, driveshaft altered. speedometer corrected, etc, etc. Plus the mechanic/welder hired to do the job.
If you can do all this yourself, cool. You'll have a basterdized 1500 with a 3/4t rear diff.
But if you could do this you wouldn't be asking how.
After all it is an easy swap.

LOL

True though, it will be a weird combo. If you were wanting a stronger axle that is a semi bolt in and has the matching bolt pattern, the D60 out of an SRT truck would've worked better.

 

[AustinAH]

Would I have to get heavy duty leaf springs or could I keep stock? Also I would like know for sure if I could keep stock and if it's even worth to get heavy duty leaf springs if necessary.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Would I have to get heavy duty leaf springs or could I keep stock? Also I would like know for sure if I could keep stock and if it's even worth to get heavy duty leaf springs if necessary.

For the rear you're trying to use or an SRT D60?

 

[Core-Lokt]

Would I have to get heavy duty leaf springs or could I keep stock? Also I would like know for sure if I could keep stock and if it's even worth to get heavy duty leaf springs if necessary.

You don't need HD springs. You've got a 1/2-ton chassis and I presume P-metric tires. Besides, the ride quality would markedly change firmer..harsher. There's nothing wrong with having a stout axle and modest springs. IIRC Mopar cars in the '60s/'70s with 440/SixPack or 426 Hemi got a Dana 60 with 5-lug axle flanges and the car spring packs were probably equivalent to a D-100 pickup of the time.

About the only time I could see having extra springs on a 1/2-ton is if you had a really stout drivetrain and you were getting axle wind. Poor folks would add a leaf, rich folks would get traction bars.