Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Dodge Ram1500 pickup; rear axle assy.?

The rear axle on my pickup is going out. I can find three different ratios locally: 3.21;3.55; and 3.90. Will all of them work and what effect do the different ratios have? I need to get his done. It is a 1998; 5.9L 8-cyl. automatic transmission 2WD.

5 Answers

Relevance
  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I could give an answer and my preference, but why don't you read this and see if you better understand the whole deal. As long as you learn one thing a day, it's a good day.

    http://www.propickupmag.com/understanding-axle-rat...

  • J J
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    If you are happy with what is in your truck I say stick with it. There is a tag that is bolted on the rear cover and it will have the ratio on it. If not you will have to jack it up so you can turn the wheels and put it in neutral, mark the drive shaft and housing and the tire on the bottom. Turn the shaft and count how many turns it goes for one revolution of the tire. It will be a guess as to the .21 or .55 or .90 but it should not be that hard to figure out. It will be easy to tell if it turned 21 percent past the mark or 90 percent. If you decide to change the ratio then you will have to correct the speedometer as it will be off.

  • JetDoc
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    I suppose it depends on how you plan to use this vehicle. For best highway fuel economy and mostly highhway driving, use the 3.21. For towing heavy loads and for rapid acceleration, use the 3.90. 3.55 is a compromise between the two.

  • 4 years ago

    positioned up year & mileage. it is towed on a flatbed. They'l merely drag it on or positioned dollies under the motionless wheels. you will possibly be able to desire to take the rear wheels off for a greater advantageous view. be careful jacking.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 9 years ago

    yes they will all work the different ratios are the different torque settings in the rear end if you pulling heavy loads you want lots of torque if its a daily driver then you dont need much torque but if pull stuff everynow and again i would go for the middle

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.