Axle Swap

[korby05]

Alright gentlemen,

I have a question for my girlfriends dad. He has a 2001 ram 1500 and was looking into swapping the axles from a 2500 because he saw on tv from I believe trucks where they took an 1500 and put the 2500 axles and converted them to manual locking hubs.. His question is is it worth doing the swap and conversion? if it is is there a good kit and what axles to look for..

sorry if this is in the wrong section too

 

[leadrofthepak]

I guess it would depend on why he wanted to do the swap. Axles alone isn't going to increase duty rating of the truck by very much. I am pretty sure there is a kit out there to change the 1500 front axles to manual locking hubs. Is he going to change the rest of the suspension to 2500 equipment?
I'd wager he will spend a great deal more to convert to manual hubs than he would save in fuel costs. Can't say I have ever heard of anyone doing this swap without doing a full suspension upgrade. Best of luck to him.

 

[Stangshcky12]

Id have to imagine they make free spin hub kits for his axle
If he plans on doing a swap from a 2500 he will still need the free spin hub kit which are around $1500

 

[korby05]

Id have to imagine they make free spin hub kits for his axle
If he plans on doing a swap from a 2500 he will still need the free spin hub kit which are around $1500

so in reality it isn't worth the cost to do all the work just to gain a couple mpg.. See here are my thoughts actually, the truck needs a new transmission since it blew from him towing a 20ft boat that's made for lake erie. He has since bought a diesel for that, this now has becomes a project truck. Transmission wise it's an automatic, he either wants it rebuilt or put a better auto transmission in.

 

[dodge dude94]

If cost is no object and it's just a toy, do it. lol But there are other things that could be done for less money that could get you the same gains as a freespin kit.

 

[Merc225hp]

This swap is indeed worth it.

Find a set of Dodge 2500 dff's 1998 and under, this will let you install the Ford part time hubs out of a 90's era diff into the Dodge diff. Much cheaper than a Spin free kit.

You do not have to install all the 2500 suspension I still use the 1500 style rear leaf springs.

 

[korby05]

This swap is indeed worth it.

Find a set of Dodge 2500 dff's 1998 and under, this will let you install the Ford part time hubs out of a 90's era diff into the Dodge diff. Much cheaper than a Spin free kit.

You do not have to install all the 2500 suspension I still use the 1500 style rear leaf springs.

is this what you did? In all honesty what are the gains from it? I'm looking for the most info that I can get to take back to him this weekend when I'll see him next

 

[Merc225hp]

Yes I did this swap last summer.

Some of the benefits by going to the Dana 60's

Bigger better brakes on both diff's
Rear is a full floating diff
Larger unit bearings on the front 60
Better style ball-joints on the front 60 (must be the 98 under diff) than the Dana 44
Front Dana 60 can use the Ford part time hubs/knuckles 98 under (must source parts from a 96 F250-F350 Dana 60) there is a full DIY over on PSucks forum.
Better selection of gear ratios and traction adding devices.
You will gain 1" lift just from the bigger diff's
Front is a bolt in job
Rear needs new spring perches welded on, parts $12, welder a case of beer.

Edit: You will have to shorten or find the right length rear DS, or just find one from the same wheelbase/tranny as yous in the 2500 flavor.

The cost of doing this swap depends on the condition of the used diff's and what you pay for them.

I have not done the Ford part time conversion yet, maybe this fall.

 

[Stangshcky12]

Wheel bearings are cheaper and there is less wear to the whole front driveline since it isn't always engaged

 

[Merc225hp]

^^^ The biggest thing I missed with the part time kit is the wheel bearings are serviceable none of this sealed ****. MPG increase will be 1-2 at best with the part time kit installed.

 

[LaurenMagnum360]

why not just pull a dana 60 from a f250, and transfer ram 2500 knuckles to it, and weld on the appropriate suspension mounts?

 

[Merc225hp]

There would be no reason to put the Ram knuckles on the Ford diff that would be going in the wrong direction, we want the Ford part time hubs and the Ford knuckles must be used.
Doing this swap is a true bolt on which most can do in their driveway, not everybody can weld or has access to a welder. A few have put the Ford Hp60 under the Ram trucks but this is a full blown fab job for spring mounts and control arms, there are also tube lengths to factor in as there is a difference between the Ram 60 and the Ford 60. This is what makes fabing up mounts a must along with custom track-bar mounts.

 

[dodge dude94]

Lots o' work IMO.

Leaf spring compared to coil spring is a pain.

 

[Merc225hp]

If one was to go coil-over shocks in the front this would make installing the Ford Hp60 much easier.

 

[dodge dude94]

Or air bags.

 

[Merc225hp]

I am not sold on air bags or air struts, I like the idea that there is a spring there to keep the truck up at all times no matter if the shock fails.

 

[dodge dude94]

I do not disagree, but you got to remember that tractor trailer rigs run air bags everywhere all the time...for millions of miles. Granted, they never go off road.

 

[korby05]

his final question to me today was since his is the off-road edition does that make a difference. I talked to him last night about all the info that I got here and that was his final question..

Thanks guys!!!

 

[dodge dude94]

Nope. That was just a difference in springs.

 

[korby05]

Thanks again,

Do all 2500 come with the dana 60 in them? Meaning gas and diesel