Last year, about 2 months after buying my '96 Dakota used, I had to
have the rear end rebuilt by the dealer. I would get a slight chatter
from the rear end when making a turn from a dead stop. At first I
though the rear was just low on posi additive and requested the dealer
do a differential service, but the problem seemed to be worse
afterwards. The dealer decided to replace the differential and gears
with a used set purchased from a salvage yard. After the work was
completed, I noticed that the rear just didn't seem to be as strong as
it was previously. I noticed one day while on a muddy road, that the
truck only spun one wheel like it had an open diff. Because the truck
had a limited slip when I bought it, I started to question if the
service dept had replaced it with an open diff in error. After a bit
of checking, we decided that it was just a weak diff. Since I don't
really 4-wheel the truck and it seemed to be fine otherwise, I just
left it as is. Ten months and 35,000 miles later, started to notice a
slight vibration under a load. I tried changing the u-joints,
balancing the tires, the usual stuff but the vibration seemed to get
worse within a period of only a few day. It also started making some
various clunking/clicking noises. After putting it up on a lift and
looking it over again, my buddy and I decided that the rear was shot.
After getting a couple of quotes to have it rebuilt again, I decided it
was a better idea to just replace the whole rear outright with a new
one. I recalled seeing ads in some of the Mopar magazines for a bolt
in Dana 60 by Drive Train Specialists. I called, asked a few questions
and ordered a Dana 60 (built to Dakota 4x4 specs) w/ 3.55 gears,
Limited Slip and complete 11" brake setup for $2100. I also upgrade to
a 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern, rear ABS sensor (truck has front & rear
ABS) and a heavy-duty diff cover. Came out to $2760 delivered.
It's supposed to be a straight bolt in installation minus having to
have the drive shaft shortened. Mike at DTS said the Dana has a longer
nose that the 8 1/4" in the truck currently. The axle just came in
this week, the replacement rims should be here by the end of the week.
Hope to be able to install it this weekend and get the truck back on
the road. Here are a few shots of the rear for now. I'll post more
shots later of the installation.
http://www.walt-n-ingrid.com/images/rear/Image001.jpg
http://www.walt-n-ingrid.com/images/rear/Image002.jpg
http://www.walt-n-ingrid.com/images/rear/Image003.jpg
http://www.walt-n-ingrid.com/images/rear/Image004.jpg
http://www.walt-n-ingrid.com/images/rear/Image005.jpg
Walt Felix
http://www.Walt-n-Ingrid.Com
http://www.CruiseNights.Info
http://www.MoparsinMotion.Com
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