Any way to add rear-differential-lock-only switch on 1500?

[Jeepwalker]

OP,

I think if it was me I'd look for an actual 'lockable' manual ....locker. Price it out anyway. But if it comes down to budget ...a guy should be able to find a factory limited slip from a salvage yard cheaper...I would think. (if your truck doesn't have a LSD). Not sure how well you'll be able to shoot 'rooster-tails' and do 'kick-outs' on trails with an LSD though.

 

[Wild one]

Thanks for this. My current gears are 3.21. I still have to decide if I would like to go all in and get a new set of gears whenever I get around to installing an LSD

If you are thinking of changing ratio's,your factory options are 3.21 / 3.55 and 3.92,but if you do decide to go to a differant gear ratio,you have to buy a new front diff ,that matches the rear diff.
If that's your case you're better off buying 2 low milege used diffs with matching gear ratio's.
It's not overally cheap to re-gear a Ram because of the fact you have to buy a new front diff,due to it's welded ring gear

 

[62Blazer]

I've had both diffs in and out several times,and always did them by myself with just a floorjack / cordless impact and common hand tools,and didn't really find it that hard to do.But if you can line up a helper,it would make it easier.
Last pair of diffs i bought i paid $900 Canuck for and that was for both front and rear diffs with 20,000 clics / roughly 12,000 miles on them. The price can vary a bit though,as the diffs i bought were 3.55's,a pair of diffs with 3.92's seem to be worth more then a set with 3.55 or 3.21 gears .
The majority of guys can swap a diff on a driveway with no problem,while they'll have to pay a shop to open up their original diff and swap in a limited slip unit.The easiest limited slip to install is the factory limited slip.
The OP still hasn't said what he plans on doing with the truck,if all he needs a limited slip for,is to back a boat down a boat ramp etc,the factory version is more then adequate

If you could buy both front and rear for $900 cdn then just the rear un USD would be quite a bit cheaper than installing an LSD in the existing diff. I would also guess that 3.92 is a little more desirable as they are people who want to go to a lower gear.

 

[Wild one]

If you could buy both front and rear for $900 cdn then just the rear un USD would be quite a bit cheaper than installing an LSD in the existing diff. I would also guess that 3.92 is a little more desirable as they are people who want to go to a lower gear.

I picked them up off my local marketplace.

 

[DILLIGAF]

But for the average guy or gal taking his/her 4x4 to drop the kids off at school.... it works.

Not in Canadian winters. These truck in factory form are a joke at best in 4x4 or should I say 3x4...lol... . Front diff is absolute garbage with no locker option. factory LSD is the biggest pile of **** ever made. And dont forget the even bigger pile of **** auto t-case, made for the ******* !

 

[04fxdwgi]

Not in Canadian winters. These truck in factory form are a joke at best in 4x4 or should I say 3x4...lol... . Front diff is absolute garbage with no locker option. factory LSD is the biggest pile of **** ever made. And dont forget the even bigger pile of **** auto t-case, made for the ******* !

Don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel .

 

[tswannnlk]

OP,

I think if it was me I'd look for an actual 'lockable' manual ....locker. Price it out anyway. But if it comes down to budget ...a guy should be able to find a factory limited slip from a salvage yard cheaper...I would think. (if your truck doesn't have a LSD). Not sure how well you'll be able to shoot 'rooster-tails' and do 'kick-outs' on trails with an LSD though.

Gotcha. I'm definitely still pondering which option to go for but depending on what type of build I plan to go with for my truck will ultimately decide if I go with an LSD or a locker. I appreciate everyone's responses to my question. Thanks a lot.

 

[tswannnlk]

If you are thinking of changing ratio's,your factory options are 3.21 / 3.55 and 3.92,but if you do decide to go to a differant gear ratio,you have to buy a new front diff ,that matches the rear diff.
If that's your case you're better off buying 2 low milege used diffs with matching gear ratio's.
It's not overally cheap to re-gear a Ram because of the fact you have to buy a new front diff,due to it's welded ring gear

Is the main appeal to swapping in a set of higher gears just for more torque off the line and for towing? I don't normally tow with my truck and understand that the 1500's are not great when it comes to towing capacity.

 

[kurek]

Is the main appeal to swapping in a set of higher gears just for more torque off the line and for towing?

Torque from 0 and the ability to stay in top gear consistently at highway speeds with larger tires and a worse aerodynamic profile on a lifted truck. The 8 speed trans has a pretty good 1st gear, the 6 speed doesn't. Both have similar overdrive ratios and you don't get to use them much with 35's and 3.21 or 3.55 gears

 

[tswannnlk]

Torque from 0 and the ability to stay in top gear consistently at highway speeds with larger tires and a worse aerodynamic profile on a lifted truck. The 8 speed trans has a pretty good 1st gear, the 6 speed doesn't. Both have similar overdrive ratios and you don't get to use them much with 35's and 3.21 or 3.55 gears

That makes sense. I do have 35's on my truck and notice how it never really goes into 8th.New gears for sure would make a lot of sense if I'm already swapping to a new dif.

 

[Wild one]

That makes sense. I do have 35's on my truck and notice how it never really goes into 8th.New gears for sure would make a lot of sense if I'm already swapping to a new dif.

It's not cheap to re-gear a 4X4 due to the fact you have to buy a complete front diff assembly,that's where shopping your local marketplace / craigslist / local wreckers for a pair of matching front and rear diffs works in your favour