4WHEELOFFROAD.COM 4-WHEEL & OFF-ROADOCTOBER 2019 31
JUNKYARD AXLE SPOTTER’S GUIDE
Notes: The similar size and shape of the
differential cover makes it easy to mistake
one with a Dana 35, and vice versa, so be
careful when identifying. Other than being
a bolt-in replacement for an exploded
Dana 35, a Chrysler 8^1 ⁄ 4 is not a good swap
candidate.The Bad: C-clip axles are known to
break when used hard. Differential selec-
tion is limited, though gear ratios remain
pretty broad.
Notes: Most Dodge truck builders opt to
replace these axles with the heavier-duty^3 ⁄ 4 -
and 1-ton truck offerings from Dana or AAM.CHRYSLER/AAM 101 ⁄ 2 & 11^1 ⁄ 2
Identification: Irregular shaped differ-
ential cover with 14 bolts. The 10^1 ⁄ 2 is 13^1 ⁄ 2
inches tall by 13^3 ⁄ 4 inches wide. The 11^1 ⁄ 2 is
141 ⁄ 16 inches tall by 13^9 ⁄ 16 inches wide.
Specs: 101 ⁄ 2 -inch ring gear or 11^1 ⁄ 2 -inch
ring gear, 30-spline full-floating axle-
shafts, single wheel (10^1 ⁄ 2 , 11^1 ⁄ 2 ) or dualie
(11^1 ⁄ 2 only), 3.73-4.56 gears (10^1 ⁄ 2 ), 3.42-
5.38 gears (11^1 ⁄ 2 ).
Found In: Rear of 2003-2013 Ram 2500s
(and some 1500s) with gas engines (10^1 ⁄ 2 );
2003-current Ram 2500s and 3500s with
diesel engines (11^1 ⁄ 2 ).
The Good: Built as a replacement for the
Dana 70 and 80, these axles are heavy-
duty and pretty much bulletproof. The
111 ⁄ 2 axle is more common , better sup -
ported by the aftermarket, and is pretty
standard on any late-model Ram with rear
leaf springs.
The Bad: The 10^1 ⁄ 2 axle isn’t well sup-
ported and is kind of an oddball that’s
overshadowed by it s bigger brother. The
111 ⁄ 2 of fers plenty of beef but it is huge
and heavy. It is not a good choice for a
lightweight buggy, but ideal for a big full-
size truck running big tires.
More Info: These axles are manufac-
tured by AAM, which is actually a division
of General Motors. As a result, we are
seeing more and more AAM axles replac-
ing the usual suspects under GM trucks,
including the legendary 14-bolt.CHRYSLER/AAM 10^1 ⁄ 2 & 11^1 ⁄ 2CHRYSLER 9^1 ⁄ 4 FRONT
Identification: Irregularly shaped cover
with 14 bolts, reverse cut.
Specs: 91 ⁄ 4 -inch ring gear, 33-spline
inner axleshafts, 3.42-4.88 gears.
Found In: Front of 2003-2018 Ram
2500/3500s and Power Wagons.
The Good: Roughly equivalent to the
strength of a Dana 60, these front axleshave proven to be durable. They are al so
becoming more common in junkyards
with about 15 years of production in ver y
popular Ram trucks.
The Bad: The dreaded Center Axle Dis-
connect (CAD) that disappeared from Ram
truck s in 2003 returned in 2014, so later
model axles have a CAD system. Locker
selection for this axle is surprisingly lim-
ited, with only a few currently available.
We’ve also seen these axles spin the axle-
tubes when subjected to hard use.
More Info: Manufactured by AAM, the
91 ⁄ 4 was developed as a replacement for
the Dana 60 and has proven to live up to
the 60’s reputation.CHRYSLER 9^1 ⁄ 4 FRONTCHRYSLER/AAM 91 ⁄ 4 REAR
Identification: Hexagonal differential
cover with 12 bolts, 12^1 ⁄ 2 inches wide.
Specs: 91 ⁄ 4 -inch ring gear, 31-spline semi-
floating C-clip axleshafts, 3.21-4.88 gears
(rear); 33-spline reverse-rotation (front).
Found In: Rear of 1966 -2010^1 ⁄ 2 -ton
Dodge/Ram pickups and SUVs; front of
1994-2010 Ram 2500s.
The Good: The front axles are consid-
ered very good and are roughly equivalent
to a Dana 60 while becoming easier to find
in junkyards all the time. The rear axles are
solidly average across the board, but like
the GM^1 ⁄ 2 -ton axle of ferings, the Chr ysler
91 ⁄ 4 becomes pretty marginal when big
tires and lockers are added to the mix.
Again, the biggest advantage of one of
these axles is that it is present, but it’s not
a good axle to swap into other applica -
tions or sink much money into it to make
it stronger.CHRYSLER/AAM 9^1 ⁄ 4 REARThese axles are manufactured by
AAM, which is actually a division
of General Motors