[greendurango]

Hello,
One of my friends was asking me if the rear end is the same in the D as in the Dakota R/T? How about the regular non R/T model? Does the D have a 3.5" axle tube?
His rear end went out and he was wanting to find one and swap it out.

 

[Silent One]

Don't think they're the same width?

Although the Mopar 9.25" is found behind most V8 Dakota's, I believe the width of the assembly is wider for the Durango.

 

[IndyDurango]

I do know the suspension is different on the two. I think the differences is that the D has leafs under the axle, the Dak has springs over the axle. Thus the rear ends themelves are probably too different to work out with a swap.

The good news, rear ends for Daks should be readily avail at a parts yard and fairly cheap.

IndyDurango

 

[Neil]

The Dakota R/T came standard with the 9.25 (3.5" tubes.) Yes Durangos also have the 9.25 in some models. The Durango R/T has the 8.25. There has been a lot of discussion over the years as why some models have the 9.25 and others have the 8.25. It looks like any 5.9 model that can run in a 2wd configuration had the 9.25. The Durango R/T as well as the other 5.9s with AWD got the 8.25. There are other Durangos/Dakotas with the 8.25 and I'm not sure how the 5.2 and 4.7 rears are configured.

 

[2L8ULUZ2]

My 99 5.2 has the part-time 4x4 and according to my build sheet from Dodge it has the larger 9.25 rear. As far as why Dodge done it the way they did I'm not real sure.

 

[MWeed]

It boils down to how it was ordered as to what axle it has, as you could get ether axle. Same thing with limited slip.

 

[Neil]

I don't believe the axle size was optional. I ordered my D and did plenty of research on the options available. Axle size wasn't a check box.

 

[FSTDANGO3]

Well

The Dakota R/T came standard with the 9.25 (3.5" tubes.) Yes Durangos also have the 9.25 in some models. The Durango R/T has the 8.25. There has been a lot of discussion over the years as why some models have the 9.25 and others have the 8.25. It looks like any 5.9 model that can run in a 2wd configuration had the 9.25. The Durango R/T as well as the other 5.9s with AWD got the 8.25. There are other Durangos/Dakotas with the 8.25 and I'm not sure how the 5.2 and 4.7 rears are configured.

My 01 4.7 pt4wd came with a 9.25 Rear
It was my belief that the awd models came with the 8.25 due to power splitting front to rear. DC put the smaller rear in back of AWD to save $$ and felt it'd be dependable because power was being split front to rear.
The Dak RT Pickups had the 9.25 rear due to the fact that they were mostly 2wd.

Any 6 cyl Durango I have seen and the base model gen 1 SXT I have sen all have 8.25 rear.My guess is tha at the plant if one was out of stock they probably used what they had in some instances.
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[IndyDurango]

Re: Well

It was my belief that the awd models came with the 8.25 due to power splitting front to rear. DC put the smaller rear in back of AWD to save $$ and felt it'd be dependable because power was being split front to rear.

My '00 FT4x4 has a 9.25 stock. Don't know about the AWD '01+

IndyD

 

[FSTDANGO3]

Must just be the RT's Then
Or its just what they had at Random
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[85burbanator]

My 00 R/T ft4x4 also has the 9.25. Around here I've only seen maybe one or two Durangos that didn't have the larger axle. :?

 

[Neil]

John Warnet's R/T has the 8.25. Oh well.

 

[MWeed]

You could buy the 4x with either axle. If you ordered the tow package, I believe the 9.25 was part of that. It was also part of the HD group. I think most of the dealers ordered them with 9.25's though, so you didn't have a choice if you just bought off the lot and didn't really go over the options list.

If someone has their Maroney (window sticker) it'll tell you what was stock and what were the options. The build sheet won't show what was an option or stock item, just what was put on your machine.

 

[Neil]

I have the 9.25 but neither the HD or tow package. My sticker is at home in my files.

 

[Neil]

I have my window sticker. Axle size isn't under the options I ordered nor is it under the std equipment. I don't have the HD or tow packages.