Have lift and tires but what next??

[zpaulis1]

I have a 96 ram half ton, 5.9L, 8" lift and 37" boggers.. Basically everything on the truck is stock besides the parts that came with the lift kit.. There's so many things I would like to beef up now, but I don't know what I should start on first.. Axles,motor, tranny... If axles then should I go for 3/4 ton dodge axles or a ford hp60.. If motor then motor swap or build the 360.. Just some help on the next step before I break everything is what I'm looking for.. Thanks!

 

[Merc225hp]

So no mention of what gears are in your truck so I will have to just go with 3.55. To run 37's 4.56 or 4.88 should be the gear of choice. So instead of putting money into the 44 and the 9.25 I would indeed upgrade the diff's first. I would suggest you get the 4.56-4.88 gears installed before you put the diff's under the truck, bench work might make it cheaper for you.

You post Hp60 or the Dodge 60, the hp60 will take much more fab work to make it fit, to the point it is ezer to just go coilover in the front. The Dodge 60 is/was just a bolt in job 6hrs and it was done.

Motor wize lot's like the 408 or bigger stroker motors, me I like a well built 5.9.

Trany yep, get ready to drop $2000-$3000 for one of those as well, you might look at changing over to a 5spd nv4500.

 

[zpaulis1]

Thank you for your reply! And yes it is the stock 3.55s in it. You say go 4.56 or 4.88 right away but you don't say anything about swapping in 60s right away.. Does this mean you think I should put the gears in the d44 and 8.25? I would think that those would just start falling apart after a little abuse.. And a 5spd nv45 will bolt right up to my 360?

 

[MoparCody]

Thank you for your reply! And yes it is the stock 3.55s in it. You say go 4.56 or 4.88 right away but you don't say anything about swapping in 60s right away.. Does this mean you think I should put the gears in the d44 and 8.25? I would think that those would just start falling apart after a little abuse.. And a 5spd nv45 will bolt right up to my 360?

I would find a set of Dana 60s put the gears into them then install them. That's what he was saying. Stay with the dodge 60 bc it is bolt on and u can still use the lift u got without problems. With the 4.56 or 4.88 It will help prolong the life of your tranny but I would still look into that next then look into doing the motor. Btw post a pic of your truck.

Sent from my LG-P769 using Tapatalk 2

 

[zpaulis1]

Alright I appreciate all the help guys! Any recommended places to look for gears/ axles ?

 

[zpaulis1]

More pics since I don't know how to add more than one at a time haha

 

[zpaulis1]

Have a stroker a little work haulin to mud fest

 

[Merc225hp]

So no mention of what gears are in your truck so I will have to just go with 3.55. To run 37's 4.56 or 4.88 should be the gear of choice. So instead of putting money into the 44 and the 9.25 I would indeed upgrade the diff's first. I would suggest you get the 4.56-4.88 gears installed before you put the diff's under the truck, bench work might make it cheaper for you.

Thank you for your reply! And yes it is the stock 3.55s in it. You say go 4.56 or 4.88 right away but you don't say anything about swapping in 60s right away.. Does this mean you think I should put the gears in the d44 and 8.25? I would think that those would just start falling apart after a little abuse.. And a 5spd nv45 will bolt right up to my 360?

I did say change out the diff's first. Yes the right nv4500 will bolt up to a 360, just need all the parts to go with it.

Alright I appreciate all the help guys! Any recommended places to look for gears/ axles ?

Start looking on the web, I got mine for $350 for the pair, prices depend a lot on where you live. I have seen them go for a grand each. Sometime its cheaper to find a donor truck 2500 5spd gas.

 

[zpaulis1]

Alright I'll get looking, thank you