I'm quite happy with my 2001 Ram 2500. However, it's a gasser and rather thirsty. I can almost see the fuel gauge move when I start it. I picked up a rather well worn '92 Dakota for general driving such as to work and back. The previous owner wasn't much of a mechanic plus the truck has a 1/4 of a million miles on it. Most of the problems I've got with it are normal things I've dealt with repeatedly over the years.

I do have one problem I'd like to pick the collective brain on.The front drive shaft is in fair condition. However, the rear bolts on the shaft to the yoke were real stinkers to get out. I noticed the front shaft was hald together with a zip tie. (That's why I was pulling it, to fix that.) Two bolts were in there and two were missing. Well, they are still in there, mostly. Both are sheared off flush with the body of the front yoke.

Does anybody know what differential I have in this puppy? It's a '92 Dakota, 4X4 and with the V-6. It sort of looks like a corporate differential. I'm finding all sorts of yokes for Dana 30 and 35 axles. The dealer says it's no longer available with a retail of $440 if it was. I'm finding them for anywhere from $40 to $200 aftermarket.

If all else fails, I can pull it and try to tap the broken bolts out by my eyes don't have the focus they used to have.

 

Should be a chrysler 7.5". A lot of guys swap them out for solid axles, if you were to look on pirate4x4. That way they get strength and better gearing options. I think they're a little weak for the v-8, guys tend to blow them out.