What gears/diff for 2003 Dodge Ram 1500?

[JJEH]

Hey Guys,

the Ram needs new gears soon and I'm just wondering what brand(s) you guys can recommend?
We don't offroad/race it, but it's a daily driver and we need to keep it dependable...
It has a stock Chrysler 9.25 axle with 3.92 gears.

Thanks alot, I appreciate your input!!

 

[oldafsp]

I can chime in here.

I would stick with the factory parts on this one. Unless you subject your truck to severe duty, like towing or off road.

The 3.92 is the absolute best ratio for the Rams. They are heavy trucks to begin with. We have owned several over the years and been happy with them and got good service from them.

The problem with the 9.25 axle is the pinion seal starts to seep, fluid level drops and wear starts. Service the axle every 25,000 miles with a good quaility 75-90 synthetic gear lube and anti-slip additive if you have the Sure Grip limitied slip.

And have the mechanic use a gasket instead of RTV on the rear cover. They are available from NAPA for about $5. No seepage or leaks.

 

[JJEH]

Thank you very much for the input.

I heard grinding and rumbling noises couple weeks ago, so I took the diff cover off and checked it out. It had some little metal parts in the oil, so I figured the gears are going to quit. Especially since the factory gears and pinion - according to some sources in the internet - are not good quality in 2003.

I put new oil in as well as a gasket for the cover.

But now I'm looking for a local mechanic with knowledge and tools to rebuilt the whole rear end.

Summit offers a Auburn Gear Diff but I don't know if this is good or not...
Auburn Gear Inc 542070 - Auburn Gear High Performance Series Differentials - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Don't wanna put Dodge parts in and take another chance, but yes, I wanna stick to 3.92.

You might have more knowledge about to tell me...

We don't haul wit the Ram, but we don't know whats for the future...

 

[oldafsp]

It is very difficult to find someone who knows gear setups and how to do them properly.

Setting the pinion depth,gear backlash and side bearing tension are very critical. All will contribute to good performance and a long lasting quality job.

The Auburn gear sets are good quality,along with Richmond Gear. Make sure that the axle is completely washed out and cleaned, seeing that you have found metal in the gear lube. This also requires the replacement of the axle
bearings. Do the whole thing while it's apart.

If you are keeping the truck, think about investing in a PML finned rear cover. This adds extra cooling and capacity to the rear axle. A big plus on the 9.25 rear.

I will say this. Having the dealer do it, may be your best bet. They have the proper factory tools and training to do it right. And standing behind the work is very important. You may pay a bit more, but unless a mechanic REALLY knows how to set the gears up, it could be an ugly expirence. The next best would be a specialty truck shop.

My last Ram was a test bed for modifications. A 2005 5.7 Hemi Quad Cab Off Road 4x4.

7 years of NHRA/IHRA drag racing all on the original factory 3.92 gears. I won't bore you with a list of what was done to it, but a 5600 lb 4x4 that ran
a best 0f 12.84@106 on DOT drag radials is no slouch.

 

[Stevie]

I bought a 2008 Ram 1500 short-wide last summer. The truck had approx 42,000 miles when I bought it. At about 43,000 miles the rear axle started howling(I had checked the oil level when I bought it)...the bearings were going out already!!

Fortunately..I had purchased an extended bumper to bumper warranty. Cost me $100 to have the local Chrysler dealership rebuild the axle. Seems fine now. This little truck has a 3.21 ratio rear axel..I believe it's a 9.25 axle.

The rest of it's been fine..however I sure wasn't impressed with the rear axle. I've owned many trucks..and own some now with well in excess of 200,000 miles without a differential/axle failure. Just hoping my cool little Dodge Ram's axle failure was a glitch!!

 

[oldafsp]

There is a difference between the 9.25 axles. Dodge switched to a smaller
gearset in the 2006-2007 models.

The earlier gears will NOT work in the late model housing.

The tapered axle bearings seem to be a problem in some of the trucks. replacing them with non-tapered heavy duty bearings adds load capacity and durability if you are going haul loads and tow.

 

[JJEH]

Thanks for all the input fellas. I appreciate it.

I will look out for a specialized mechanic, if not I will go to Dodge. But in my area I'm not really satisfied with the performance of some "professional" shops...

The idea with the PML cover is great, I really like the black powder coated one...

... I won't bore you with a list of what was done to it...

Well, I have a history in automotive too, so you wouldn't bore at all

 

[Dmaxboy08]

setting a rear end isnt hard, its just time consuming and it has to be perfect. If u take it to a dealership and have new ring/pinion and bearings installed, your looking at about 5 to 6 hours worth of labor. We(i worked at a chrylser dealership) charge $89.95hr. If it was me, i would be putting factory parts back in.

 

[NYlakesider]

It is very difficult to find someone who knows gear setups and how to do them properly.

Setting the pinion depth,gear backlash and side bearing tension are very critical. All will contribute to good performance and a long lasting quality job.

The Auburn gear sets are good quality,along with Richmond Gear. Make sure that the axle is completely washed out and cleaned, seeing that you have found metal in the gear lube. This also requires the replacement of the axle
bearings. Do the whole thing while it's apart.

If you are keeping the truck, think about investing in a PML finned rear cover. This adds extra cooling and capacity to the rear axle. A big plus on the 9.25 rear.

I will say this. Having the dealer do it, may be your best bet. They have the proper factory tools and training to do it right. And standing behind the work is very important. You may pay a bit more, but unless a mechanic REALLY knows how to set the gears up, it could be an ugly expirence. The next best would be a specialty truck shop.

My last Ram was a test bed for modifications. A 2005 5.7 Hemi Quad Cab Off Road 4x4.

7 years of NHRA/IHRA drag racing all on the original factory 3.92 gears. I won't bore you with a list of what was done to it, but a 5600 lb 4x4 that ran
a best 0f 12.84@106 on DOT drag radials is no slouch.

I agree for the most part with the above post.(3.92 is good)

If, BIG IF you have a good off roading shop in the area they should have the expertise to do a good job.

I live in the mountains of NYS and we have a few good off road /4 wheeler shops close by. Check out your area!

Godd luck.

 

[Stevie]

I set-up rear ends in tractors all the time...you have to set pinion shaft protrusion and bearing preload..differential bearing preload and ringgear to pinion gear lash...it's a job for a professional or a really skilled amatuer with all the tools and info plus lots of time. A pro can do it much quicker.

I work on the big ones...I let the dealership do my little truck.

 

[Dmaxboy08]

to the OP what exactly is bad? are there pieces missing off the teeth on the pinion gear, ring gear, or spider gears?

 

[JJEH]

to the OP what exactly is bad? are there pieces missing off the teeth on the pinion gear, ring gear, or spider gears?

From what I saw pinion, ring gear and spider gears itself are okay. No tooth are missing there. I think the clutch pack is going to die since I found a little piece of metal in there. Also, on the bottom of the housing I found alot of metal abrasion...

And sometimes after putting it into "D" it was slipping as well...