1994-2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Dana 44 Front Axle

The Dana-Spicer, Model 44 216 Front Beam-Design Iron (FBI) axle was used on all 1994 to 2001 Ram 1500 4x4 1/2 Ton trucks and 1994-1997 gas V8 powered, light duty Ram 2500 trucks with Gross Vehicle Weights (GVW) under 8800 pounds. If you have a 8800 pound or higher GVW truck, you have a Model 60, so refer to our 1994-1999 or 2000-2002 Model 60 pages. Tech Note: The GVW is listed on the build tag located on the door frame.

Like 1985-1993 Dodge Model 44 axles, all the Dana 44 front axles used in 1994-2001 Dodge 4x4's were factory equipped with a vacuum actuated Central Axle Disconnect (CAD) system. However, that was about the only carry over feature from previous models. Changes from 1993 and earlier Dana 44 axles include driver's side differential, anti-lock brake option, unitized, non-serviceable live spindle hubs in place of serviceable wheel bearing/dead spindle hubs, coil spring suspension, and a pinion pre-load spacer (crush sleeve) instead of selective fit shims for setting the pinion rotating torque. Depending upon your view point, the changes may be good or bad, but the end result is different parts, special tools, and service procedures are needed to keep your 1994-2001 Model 44 rolling down the road compared to those used on 1993 and prior Dodge 4x4's with Model 44 axles. 2001 was the last year Dodge used a Dana-Spicer beam axle in a Ram 1500. Starting with the 2002 model year, the Ram 1500 used an Independent Front Suspension (IFS) front axle.