2000 Dakota rear axle - limited slip questions

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Syleng1

Syleng1

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2000 Dodge Dakota SLT 4.7 auto 4X4
Rear axle is 9.25” - 3:55 open.

My wife and I bought this truck for farm work around the house. Really nice truck.
I put 4 new tires and my 17 year old thinks they are meant to burn off at every stop sign. He is bigger than me so I cannot beat him any more. Lol!

I want to add a “quiet” locker. (No ratchets) Has anyone installed a locker in a 9.25 rear yet? If so, what brand and how do you like it? I figure that 4.7 may spin one tire easy but not both rears. I wonder if a factory locker is worth looking into over an Auburn or Yukon.
Thanks,
Joe
 
I have yet to try one, but I would think the Torsten type differential is what I would be looking at. But before going to that, I believe a better investment at the present is a power programmer that you plug in and set to the much dreaded “valet" mode anytime he takes it out until he learns not to be so hard on things.
 
Pull a factory trac loc in it. I have put them in 3 of my Durangos they work great and are rebuildable if you need to.
That is the same unit as in my 2 ram 1500s.
If you hear a poping noise you need to add a bottle of friction modifier.
 
Garrett Ellison said:
I have yet to try one, but I would think the Torsten type differential is what I would be looking at. But before going to that, I believe a better investment at the present is a power programmer that you plug in and set to the much dreaded “valet" mode anytime he takes it out until he learns not to be so hard on things.
Click to expand...

A 2x4 is a great attention getter and is a great training tool for those that don't want to listen.
 
I run one of those Lockrite that replaces the spider gears and never had any issues. Truck runs 1.4 60s with it so it seems to hold up well.
 
I bought a complete 2000 Dakota R/T 9 1/4 axle (plus a bunch of other stuff) a few years ago at a U pull. It was not that expensive.

AFAIK they are all 3.92 ratio SG, except I do know of one truck that was special ordered with 3.2x gearing.

FWIW, that Dakota axle actually measures about 3/4 inch longer than the 9 1/4 axle in my 1980 D150.

I'm not sure what a "millennium edition" Ram axle measures but it might be worth checking into.

I'd bet there were a lot more Rams made with 3.55 SG axles than Dakotas.

While swapping the axle is heavy and time consuming, setting up an R&P requires special tools and is also time consuming.
 
Swapping the diff carrier only requires setting the backlash which is very easy on the 9.25 axle.
Measure the backlash before you take it apart and set it the new diff as close to the original measurement as possible.
 
Thanks for the love but I have been rebuilding rear ends since mid 80’s.

I just don’t know exactly what locker to use for this truck- looking for who has installed one in their truck and love it.
 
The factory unit is just fine.
 
YY1 said:
AFAIK they are all 3.92 ratio SG, except I do know of one truck that was special ordered with 3.2x gearing.

I'd bet there were a lot more Rams made with 3.55 SG axles than Dakotas.
.
Click to expand...

Every dakota I have had has always had 3.55 gears. 3.92 was an option as was the sg. I believe 3.23 was another option, but I have yet to see one of those. Then again I never dug much deeper after I sold the majority of the dakota stuff off.
 
I was referring to the R/T axle.

The one in my truck is, as is the one I bought from LKQ, and every Dak R/T owner I've spoken to, except the one.

I believe for the last year of the 5.9 R/T- the 9 1/4 also had disk brakes.
 
YY1 said:
I was referring to the R/T axle.

The one in my truck is, as is the one I bought from LKQ, and every Dak R/T owner I've spoken to, except the one.

I believe for the last year of the 5.9 R/T- the 9 1/4 also had disk brakes.
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OOOOH! Disk brakes on the rear. That would be a nice option. Standard on 99% of all trucks now a days. Again- mostly for farm work like picking up feed and hay for the animals. Drums stop just fine for that.
 
Jadaharabi said:
Pull a factory trac loc in it. I have put them in 3 of my Durangos they work great and are rebuildable if you need to.
That is the same unit as in my 2 ram 1500s.
If you hear a poping noise you need to add a bottle of friction modifier.
Click to expand...
That's what I did with my 2002 Dakota several yrs back. Sold it 3 yrs. ago and still going strong and the kid that bought it is rough on it
 
Thanks for all the Input people. I really appreciate it.

I got lots of prices for all levels of LSDiffs.
Then I called my local Dodge parts department dealer. Told them what I had and asked what it would cost for the factory set up. The guy responds, “ I actually have a factory Spicer locker on the shelf a customer ordered for a truck and never picked up. I’ve had it for about 5 years waiting for you. I will give you a GREAT deal if you buy it.” I said okay what’s the deal?
He told me $326.00 and would throw in the lube, friction modifier and rtv sealant for the cover.... delivered to my shop.
So even though it’s not a top of the line rock crawler locking diff, it will slow the tire wear on the right side. If this does not work than the 2x4 to the boy’s a$$ will be the next modification.
Thanks for the help!
Syleng1
 
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