Hello,
I'm stuck. I bought a used 01 2500 QC LB, 4x4 from a dealer in Denver
I drained the fluid in the rear diff. Can't drive the truck.
Based on the VIN number , I have a printout from parts department with all info about the truck - it did not come with limited slip. And the tag in glove baox does not say LTD Slip.
one bolt on the diff cover has a tag - use limited slip fluids. The cover says
Dana
42434
344 0
Rev AB
05 02 94
Is this a diff out of a 94?? Can you tell the year by the layout of the ring & pinion?
If it is a 94, I have no idea how many miles are on the rear diff. The truck has 116K.
Should I be p&*$ and take the truck back?? What to do?
Need help?
Thanks, Jim in Colorado

 

Call up Randy's Ring and pinion tomorrow, give them those numbers and they'll be able to tell you all the specs on the axle. If you want to check for sure, jack up the rear and spin one tire, if the other spins the opposite way it is an open, if they both go the same it is a limited slip. That will satisfy the cuiousity, otherwise I wouldn't worry too much, at least you got the LSD!!!

 

The tag in the glovebox will not say limited slip, in Dodge terms its called Anti-spin.

Lifing up the rear end and spinning the tires is a great way to figure out which one you have. The best but time consuming and messy way is to pop the cover and take a peek.

 

http://www.onandoffroad4wheeldrive.c...axle_ident.htm

Try something like this

 

Hey, thanks for the help.
I'll call Randy's tomorrow. Could not find the info on the Dana website. Did see mention of a diff tag, but could not find one on this diff. The front end was also a problem. drag links and pittman tie rod end - the dealer paid for the parts and I repaired.
But if the read end had to be replaced, how was the truck used and treated???
Little confidence in this truck.

 

I just replaced my rear axle on my 99 Ram, seems the right rear duallies left the truck, for the second time. Spindle broke again. First time under load, my personal fiver. Used the trailer brake to stop me. Less damage than the second time, no load, but drug the butt further and stepped on the brake. Course that blows that wheel cylinder to heck. Decided not to trust another Axle DOC repair, just located a junk axle in a yard. Nobody knows why I'm having such luck with rear axles, maybe something to do with my stretch. If you all pray, I could use um.

Cheers,
Steve J

 

I jacked up the diff. Wheels spin in the same direction - so it is anti spin.
jrs_dodge_diesel,
You say pop the cover and take a peek. The diff is empty and I can peek, but what am I looking at or for.
I recored all the numbers I found on the diff and the axle tube( to the driver's side), but none of them look like a date or the Dana Bill of Materials number.
Thanks for the help.
Jim
PS I need to get about 5 years of service or 200K out of the vehicle and starting with a bad front end and none a replaced diff makes me nervous.

 

339K,

When you look inside of the differential housing, if it is an open differential, you will see the ring gear, and 4 smaller gears inside the ring with 2 gears connected on the axleshaft ends.

The Limited slip you will see the ring gear but inside it will be something that resembles a spool. On the side of the spool you might see openings where you can see the springs and clutches that make the LS work.

 

jrs_dodge_diesel
Thanks for the info. I haven't filled the diff yet, so I can look.

 

Heres some links to pictures of each.

Open Differential


Here is a page that shows both inside an axle.


Limited Slip
Note: that one is an aftermarket LS.

 

The pic from Geno's is an open rear with a locker not a limited slip.