I watched a few vids on YouTube, then started to take my driver's side hub off.  I pulled the axle out to discover my truck doesn't match the videos I've seen online. 

 

The vids appear to have a lock ring and a dowel that keeps the somewhat large nut from turning.  Mine seems to have a piece of the metal pulled up, to create two tabs, to block the hex nut from backing out. 

 

I folded the two tabs down so I could take the nut off.  But I can't seem to get any tools in there to turn the nut. 

 

I don't recall the size, but with calipers I think I measured 66 mm for that nut.

 

Any ideas?

 

 

 

 

Edited May 2, 20205 yr by cs15dah

Can't really tell from the pic but if thats like the dana 80 i did that metal piece pulls straight out. The nut has nylon like a lock nut inside it. That piece is a lock and is mangled. I got new ones from local Dodge dealer for cheap. Once the lock is out it is easy to turn.

Mine had a much smaller metel piece that fit in the groove to lock the nut in place. So I have agree with Mr Turley. 

2 9/16” for the nut I remember right. Haven’t used my socket since I bought a conversion kit from torque king this way I didn’t have to use the factory nylon nut or that piece that holds it. 
but you need to remove the piece before you take the nut off, it’s supposed to keep it in and stop it from backing off. 

Edited May 3, 20205 yr by Towrigdually

Yep, that key pulled right out, after I straightened it back out again... 
 

But, I’m at a stopping point since I had to order a 2-9/16” socket. Should be here in 8 days. So I put the truck back together for now. 
 

Also, from looking online, I should have a Dana 70 rear axle? 2001 2500 auto. 

This should be the right seal? 
https://m.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/wheel-seal-rear/duralast-wheel-seal-417158/12032_240245_4988?location=

Should be a dana 70

If you have the camper package it is a D80 isn't it. My sticker on glove box door says mine is a D80.

Just now, dripley said:

If you have the camper package it is a D80 isn't it. My sticker on glove box door says mine is a D80.

Mine just says Dana 6500#, 3.55, and anti-spin. 

Just tried to read mine and it is faded. Best I can see Limited Slip 3:55 Dana M80 I believe. 

The 2500 with automatic transmissions got the dana 70U rear differential.

 

The 2500 with manual transmissions got the dana 80

 

all 3500 whether automatic or manual got the dana 80.

 

hope that helps.

 

Hag

i racked my brains about the rear axles and what haggar said is correct.   auto is the 70's for 2500 anything manual is the 80's for 2500/3500

 

http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/Ramspecs.htm   for some specs

 

look at the diff cover images to identify the axle here

 

https://torqueking.com/category/1994-2002-dodge-ram-2500-ram-3500-rear-axle/

Edited May 6, 20205 yr by CUMMINSDIESELPWR

2-9/16” socket arrives Saturday. Hope to get this job finished then. 

Largest socket I now own...

 

 

When they have to weld them together you know they are getting bigger.

 

Yea it kinda sucks having to use those style sockets to get some axle nuts off instead of just being able to use a big socket from a normal set. but now that ya have it, should be straight forward on replacing the seal. 
if you’ve never done of a hub like this. I’d take the nut off, take the washer and bearing out, put the nut back on a few threads, and then pull the hub off. It’ll leave the hub seal and inner bearing on the spindle and easier to get the seal out this way also. 

Make sure your vent is clean, that's how I changed my seals when I got the truck, overlooked something I knew about then. 

I believe manuals srw have Dana m80 80 pumpkin and 70 hubs. Reason I say this when I did mine and went to the store, the first gave me the full d80 seals which were bigger in diameter that what I had. So I'm guessing hub is a 70, maybe that's why axle tubes taper down  

Chrysler ordered the axle from dana/spicer, but did their own engineering for the spindles bearings etc.

 

When you follow the bill of materials for the rear ends through dana, you come to a picture that shows squares where the spindle should be and is says  something like "provided by customer".  I was hoping to see the drawings for the spindles and bearing arrangements to compare the drw 80s vs the single rear wheel 80s.  (to see if there was a hub to use a srw on a dually rear without a lot of fuss....)

 

Looking through the parts manual  the single rear wheel 80's share the same seal, inner bearing and inner bearing race with the 70,  but the outer bearings locknut and such are shared with all 3/4 ton and 1 ton applications...

 

While looking in the parts manual.  the 70 is should be on the glove box list as DRE, and it was only on lines 2 and 7  (2500 2wd and 4wd respectively)  The 80 is DRL and was offered on lines 2,3,7, and 8.    (2500/3500 2wd and 2500/3500 4wd)  

 

The Chrysler part numbers for the axle shafts are different  for the 70 (04856290)  80 srw (04746995)  and the 80 drw (04746967)

 

HTH

Hag
 

9 hours ago, Haggar said:

Chrysler ordered the axle from dana/spicer, but did their own engineering for the spindles bearings etc.

 

When you follow the bill of materials for the rear ends through dana, you come to a picture that shows squares where the spindle should be and is says  something like "provided by customer".  I was hoping to see the drawings for the spindles and bearing arrangements to compare the drw 80s vs the single rear wheel 80s.  (to see if there was a hub to use a srw on a dually rear without a lot of fuss....)

 

Looking through the parts manual  the single rear wheel 80's share the same seal, inner bearing and inner bearing race with the 70,  but the outer bearings locknut and such are shared with all 3/4 ton and 1 ton applications...

 

While looking in the parts manual.  the 70 is should be on the glove box list as DRE, and it was only on lines 2 and 7  (2500 2wd and 4wd respectively)  The 80 is DRL and was offered on lines 2,3,7, and 8.    (2500/3500 2wd and 2500/3500 4wd)  

 

The Chrysler part numbers for the axle shafts are different  for the 70 (04856290)  80 srw (04746995)  and the 80 drw (04746967)

 

HTH

Hag
 

trying to figure out parts when two hands are in the mix making stuff isnt fun... lol       luckily i got the right seals on my rear axle when i did them long ago. they are still good too.

12 hours ago, Haggar said:

Chrysler ordered the axle from dana/spicer, but did their own engineering for the spindles bearings etc.

 

When you follow the bill of materials for the rear ends through dana, you come to a picture that shows squares where the spindle should be and is says  something like "provided by customer".  I was hoping to see the drawings for the spindles and bearing arrangements to compare the drw 80s vs the single rear wheel 80s.  (to see if there was a hub to use a srw on a dually rear without a lot of fuss....)

 

Looking through the parts manual  the single rear wheel 80's share the same seal, inner bearing and inner bearing race with the 70,  but the outer bearings locknut and such are shared with all 3/4 ton and 1 ton applications...

 

While looking in the parts manual.  the 70 is should be on the glove box list as DRE, and it was only on lines 2 and 7  (2500 2wd and 4wd respectively)  The 80 is DRL and was offered on lines 2,3,7, and 8.    (2500/3500 2wd and 2500/3500 4wd)  

 

The Chrysler part numbers for the axle shafts are different  for the 70 (04856290)  80 srw (04746995)  and the 80 drw (04746967)

 

HTH

Hag
 

Info like this should be written up as an article so this good info is easily found.