Axle Housing swap

[Michael]

I have a 2014 1500 Tradesman 4x4 with the 5.7 V-8, 8 speed trans., and 3.21 gears. I currently have 295/65/20 AT's on it now. I would like to step up to some 37" tires next time I replace my tires. With my current gearing I feel the 3.21's are just acceptable when driving around town. When I'm pulling my TT I really feel it. I know pulling the TT wouldn't be an option with 37's; that would stop me from going to 37's.

To regear the truck I would have to do front and rear. To do the front I understand I would have to get a axle housing from an older truck to regear it to the right gears for the tires. This got me thinking; instead of getting a axle housing from an older 1500 could I replace both axle housings from a 2500 instead? I realize this would not increase my payload capacity of my 1500, but make regearing easier. I also think they axle housings from a 2500 would handle the larger tires better then the ones already on my 1500.

Has anyone ever done this, looked into it or have any thoughts on this? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[muddy12]

Someone on here is doing it, but they are using Ford/sterling axles.

The front is not just a simple “swap”. The 1500’s have IFS, and the 2500’s have a solid axle.
Unless you went old school, and used leaf springs on the front, you’d need to fabricate a lot of stuff.

Frame side control arm mounts.
Frame side track bar mount.
Figure out how/where to mount a steering box(1500’s use rack and pinion)
Replace or modify the 1500’s strut mounts to work with a traditional coil spring/shock.
And the list goes on and on.........



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Burla]

The bid I got to SAS the front end was $3500, I assumed a junk yard axle, they will have to cut and weld, no big deal this is what they do. And yes this is a thing and many people like to do this, especially people who take their trucks on rocks. There is a lot of benefit to having a light truck with solid axles, sadly manu's don't think so. I think maybe the gladiator is the only pickup with solids. If you go for it, ditch the ball joints and get a king pin front axle, you will never have to worry about that axle.

 

[Burla]

If you do this, know it will be less fun on the road, and country roads that are bumpy will bruise your kidneys. Part of the great aspect of 4 gen 1500's is it has to be the smoostesh truck ever on road. Maybe air bags would help.

 

[crazykid1994]

If you found someone selling a diff with 3.92 gears that would be the best thing for you. Otherwise 37s I think 4:33 or 4:56 are your best bets. I wish I could swap to 4:10 for my truck with 35s. I have 3.92 in it so I’m not super concerned since it’ll still smoke tires.