i have recently been intrested in buying a 97 12 valve its a very good deal 170k miles on it for 4k but the rear end is blown up, ive never did any major rear end work , i know the gears and pinion are relatively cheap and if its not to hard i could replace them and have a helluva truck, i know the dodges have rear end problems so i was hoping you guys could help me, how hard is it to do the gear replacement or does it have to be done proffestionally

 

Sounds to me that even though it has low miles, they may have been pretty hard ones. Although some do need new rear end parts, that doesn't usually happen until it reaches higher miles. My brother's 95 didn't start to do that until almost 340k and that's while towing a dodge dually club can with a HEAVY hauler bed on a very stout 20 foot bumper pull equipment trailer that we noticed it. Unless it is pristine, don't go much over 3000

 

right well how much did it cost him to get his rear end rebuilt?

 

We didn't notice it until yesterday. The reason it was hauling that other truck is because he traded it for the 95 with 340k that was starting to grind. Sorry man.

 

i was just quoted $800 for a gear swap including parts. D60

 

thanks guy's I think im just going to buy an axle for450 nd do a swap

 

thats is generally the cheapest thing to do.

 

im thinking it shouldnt be to hard, just bolts , the drive shaft and a couple sensor plugs

 

I think just throwing a different axle under it is the easiest as well... you could also put a heavier axle under it at the same time, though it might necessitate a change of driveshaft (the Dana 80 for sure has a longer nose, thus shorter shaft).

What exactly is wrong with this rearend? is it the ring and pinion or did the spider gears explode? (OK, that usually takes the ring and pinion with it)...

My biggest worry about replacing the ring and pinion is that you really have to get the clearances right, and it's not easy without the right tools and knowhow, thus it's better to get a good used one and leave the guts alone.

 

Just a heads up, ask the junk yard if you can take off the differential cover to inspect any possible damage. If they won't let you, keep walking. There are plenty of second gens out there.