:eek: I "accosted" a fellow with a '96 3/4 ton Cummins xcab longbed at the local hardware store. I like to make contacts this way, and never know what I'll come accross. He ordered it brand new with "every option in the book", except for leather and compass. This meant pto on the 5 speed and the biggest rear axle I've ever seen. There was a new Chevy dually right behind it, and I think the Dodge had a bigger axle! Only 67,000 1 owner miles, but not for sale, too bad. Any thoughts? :muahaha:

the new dodge 3/4 and 1 ton trucks have the aam 11.5" rear end... nearly identical to the GM aam 11.5" rear end.. we don't have drain plugs on our cases, and we have a tone wheel on the ring gear [i don't believe gm has that]...

no 5 speeds avalable on the current dodges [being ordered brand new] 4 speed slushbox or 6 speed manual

I believe you can get a bigger, badder, brand new Dodge. You can get a 3500 quad cab long bed dually with the NV5600 (a superior transmission, from what I understand, and I love mine), the 11.5 AAM (which I have, and is about the most massive rear end I've seen on anything smaller than a school bus), PTO, etc.

Still, I do love seeing any beefy Dodge.

GM HD AAM 11.5 rear...

http://www.getdieselpower.com/my01dmax_files/mag-hytec/images/DSCN1155.jpg

http://www.getdieselpower.com/my01dmax_files/mag-hytec/images/DSCN1160.jpg


Dodge HD AAM 11.5" rear...

http://www.getdieselpower.com/my04dodge_files/mag-hytec/images/DSCN5293.jpg

http://www.getdieselpower.com/my04dodge_files/mag-hytec/images/DSCN5322.jpg

Now take a look at the axles tubes as they exit the pumpkin. Notice the GM version shrinks. This actually lowers its capacity somewhat. Another brainy GM difference. :rolleyes:

I think I like the Dodge version better. The larger dia axle tubes (GM's version necks down) and it doesn't have the Eaton Trac-Lok contraption. The Mag rear cover takes care of the drain plug. It's kinda silly. That's the same Mag-Hytek cover I had on the GMC I had. I had two drain plugs next to each other.

Just curious Hoot, but where did you find the true axle capacity's of both axles? :confused:

Depending on the material used for the tube, the GM version could actually be stronger. It not always the size.

TT

2500 necks down 3500 doesn't(I think). By using same axle in both 2500 and 3500 series dodge probably pays a bit less per unit and also probably saves a bit because they can keep fewer on hand at factory, also fewer parts for dealer stock. JMHO

I've seen a truck before that had the factory PTO option.

It was a ~94/~96 5-speed 2wd, and had two levers on the floor, one was the gear shift, and the other was right where the 4wd selector would have been, but it was a PTO On/Off lever. Wierdest factory option I'd seen.

Merrick