Will 1994 dodge dakota 4x4 rear end match up to my 1995 dodge dakota 4x4. gear ratio wise

yes it controls the transmission shift points

4x4, 4 cyl, 4.10 ratio, ABS 4x4, 4 cyl, 4.10 ratio, w/o ABS
4x4, 4 cyl, 4.56 ratio, ABS 4x4, 4 cyl, 4.56 ratio, w/o ABS
4x2 (3.90 ratio), 2 wheel ABS 4x2 (3.90 ratio),
4 wheel ABS 4x4, 6 cyl, 2 wheel ABS, 4.30 ratio
4x4, 6 cyl, 2 wheel ABS, 4.56 ratio 4x4, 6 cyl, 2 wheel ABS, 4.88 ratio 4x4,
6 cyl, 4 wheel ABS, 4.30 ratio 4x4, 6 cyl, 4 wheel ABS, 4.56 ratio
4x4, 6 cyl, 4 wheel ABS, 4.88 ratio there are a few options. you will need to figure it out or look at the code panel in the truck. if you want to figure it out. you will need to remove the cover from that axle and count the two ring gears and then divide the numbers to get the gear ratio. for example if one is 40 and the other was 11. would be 3.72. so here is the trick to counting the gears. they are covered in oil so have a pan ready when you pull the cover. and use a marker or crayon and mark a tooth on the gear ring. then count the gears and you will know where to stop when you get back to your mark. the little gear will be harder since its in the back. you might have to turn the wheels and you will need it in neutral and jack the rear end up. as always use jack stands to prevent damage to you or the truck..

replace the locking hubs a sit appears the lock splines are damaged.

put the vehicle on a lift and have the mechanic observe the entire driveline while its running on the lift with the tires turning..this takes 2 people.. the shafts..and each wheel..look for anything loose or banging..its usually the front end that makes a lot of noise..it may also be in the transfer case..normally caused by different gear ratios in each axle..they must match front to rear..

as long as the gear ratio matches up and the mounts measure identical..if the gears are different it wont work when 4 whell power is needed..there is normally a tag on the punkin cover that has numbers on it like 3.83 or such if these numbers are the same it should fit..even tho its 5 years difference..

The standard gear ratio for a '91 Dakota with the 318 V-8 was the 3.55 ring and pinon. The 3.90 or the 3.21, or the 2.76 could be ordered as an option. However the most of the Dakotas, either the V-6 or the V-8 were ordered with the 3.55 non-locking rear axles. Also your truck may have had either the 7.25" rear end, having a differential cover that is shaped ( 8 sides) like a "stop sign". Most likely will have the 8.25" rear end, having a "more rounded" differential cover. With your truck being a 318 V-8 the 8.25" rear end was more common. Hope that helps.

Don Fitzpatrick. Washington, Ok.
Oklahoma Trailchasers 4X4 Club.

start by calling a local junkyard, or looking one up on google. they have interchange numbers and will tell you what all will fit in there and give you prices.

I will assume you are missing your id tag. You will need to remove the rear cover and count the teeth. If you have never opened a drive axle I will warn you it will most certainly stink.

Now to figure the gear ratio:

The best way is to count the teeth on the ring gear and divide by the number of teeth on the pinion gear. Or you can count the number of turns of the pinion it takes to get one full turn of the ring gear.


For example, if we divide a ring gear with 41 teeth by a pinion gear with 10 teeth we find that the gear ratio is 4.10:1 (41/10 = 4.10).

Taking it apart is easy...putting it back together requires a dial indicator, experience experience and experience....Many good techs can't do this right and in general, you are far better off $ wise and from a reliability standoint, just finding one in a scrapyard. (only important part then is exactly matching the gear ratio.) If you only have broken spider gears, that you can do yourself...just remove the bolt that holds the cross shaft in, slide it out and remove the gears, making note of where and how many shims were under the backside of the gears.(if any)

All the rear ends from that model run should fit size wise, and probably older as well as newer body styles. To be sure take a measurement from backing plate to backing plate to be sure. Also measure between your spring brackets. This has to be the same on you replacement rear end unless your are good at cutting and welding. Be sure you have the exact same gear ratio in the new rear end as the old. If the aluminum tag is missing, to be sure you will have to remove the cover and count the teeth on the crown gear and the pinion.This has to be exactly the same as the one you take out or you will need both rear ends in a 4x4. Most scrap yards stock rear ends by gear ratios, not dimensions. Hop this helps.