Front axle swap between 1997 and 1998

[Torpedoman69]

Good afternoon folks. I have a 1998 1500 4x4 that has a messed up front axle when I bought it. (Dana 44 - 3.55 gears). I found a guy with a 1997 1500 4x4 that he was parting out and I bought the front axle from him (Dana 44 - 3.55 gears). My question.....on the 1998 axle the sway bar hooked up to the bottom of the spring bracket and the sway bar has about a 3 inch piece that extends up from the spring bracket. The 1997 has a ~3" bracket that extends up from the spring bracket that the sway bar hooks up to. What gives? Is that the way it is supposed to be? If I need to send some pictures, I can do that. The other puzzling thing is the 1998 steering damper hooks up to a bracket under the passenger spring bracket, but the 1997 front axle doesn't have the same bracket. Where does the damper hook in on the 1997 axle.

I hope I explained this well enough. I am not a rookie when it comes to this kind of thing, but I am new to Dodge Rams.

Thanks in advance.

Rod

 

[dodge dude94]

I can tell you the steering damper should mount the same way as the 98 did. Sway bar has me puzzled though, but that's not a surprise since I'm a visual learner. lol

Can you get a picture of both?

 

[Merc225hp]

On the 97 under year trucks the steering damper goes to the frame not the diff. 97 under also has a different mounting for the swaybar on the diff as you found out.

Edit to add pix of damper bracket on the frame 97 under. Its the one on the left with the two empty holes.

 

[Torpedoman69]

Thanks for the replies. Here are two pictures. One of the 1998 axle and one of the 1997 axle both showing sway bay location. It looks like everything fits up with the exception of the steering damper. I guess I will have to get someone to fab up a bracket for me. The 1998 doesn't have a bracket in that location on the frame. I guess I can run the truck without a steering damper until I can get one fabbed up. I really thought everything was plug and play on those two years.

 

[Merc225hp]

You don't have to use a steering damper, I have not used one in years. For the sway-bar all you need is to find a used one off a 97 under Ram truck.

 

[Torpedoman69]

Awesome, thanks for the replies and help. I appreciate it. This place reminds me of the Durango Owners Club from which I am also a long time member. I had a 2001 Durango R/T. 5.9 with M1, Fastman 52mm Throttle Body, chipped CPU and ceramic coated mid length headers (may she rest in peace).