ID a 1994-2002 Dodge Ram Front CV Driveshaft IDN-144

As shipped from the factory, all 1994-2001 Ram 1500 and 1994-2002 Ram 2500, Ram 3500 4x4 trucks had a Spicer 1330 series front Double-Cardan Constant Velocity Driveshaft. While the CV parts would remain the same for the entire period , three different slip joints and three different front universal joints were used depending upon year. Given the age of these vehicles, it is not unusual to find the slip joints or entire shaft assemblies have been replaced with non-stock parts. 

Before ordering replacement parts for your Dodge truck front driveshaft CV Joint, you should always verify that the parts being ordered will match the shaft in your truck. Besides the model year parts changes detailed below as the part style changes are not always exactly the same as the model year change. It is not really unusual to find some of these older Dodge 4x4s have been modified with different make/size front driveshafts. We have seen a few 1994-2002 trucks with replacement Saginaw CV shafts (last used by Dodge in 1993), larger size upgrade shafts especially in lifted, high horsepower trucks, and even some trucks with just single Cardan front shafts (no CV). While chances are your truck has all the factory parts, make sure before ordering! If you are unable to identify your parts, e-mail us some good photos.

CV Joint: For the 1994 to 2002 model year Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 4x4 trucks, Dodge used 1330 series Double Cardan Constant Velocity (CV) front driveshafts. These shafts have a half-round flange type Spicer style Double Cardan CV joint with 1-1/16" diameter u-joint cups at the transfer case end. All the parts in the Double Cardan CV Joint are the same for all 1994 to 2002 model year Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 4x4 trucks.

Slip Yokes: Three different slip joints were used depending on the production date. 1994 to 1998 trucks had a fine spline with a u-joint with internal c-clips. Early 1999 used QU40701 fine spline yoke with a special u-joint using external snap rings in the slip yoke and internal C-clips for the pinion yoke. Later production 1999 CV Shafts used the same universal joint, but with QU40771 coarse spline yoke. 2000-2002 used QU40771 coarse spline yoke and a u-joint with external snap rings in the slip yoke. No snap ring was used at the pinion yoke as side thrust is controlled by tabs cast into the pinion yoke. Yoke style changes are not always exactly the same as the model year change so some overlap may be encountered in 1998-2000 model years.

Slip Joints Splines: Two different slip joint splines protected by rubber boots were used depending upon the production date. 1994 to 1998 trucks plus some 1999 models would have a 1-9/32" fine spline yoke and stub. Many 1999, and all 2000-2002 shafts were built with an 1-3/8" coarse spline slip joint. Yoke style changes are not always exactly the same as the model year change so some overlap may be encountered in 1998-1999 model year trucks.

Front U-Joints: For the 1994 to 2002 model years, Dodge used 3 different front universal joints to connect the driveshaft to the front axle. 1994-1998 used a Detroit Universal 7290 series front joint (TK40722, QU40775) that has 4 internal C-Clips to secure the u-joint cups in place. 1999 was a transition year that used a front universal joint with 2 external Snap Rings and 2 Internal C-Clips (TK40804, QU40764). 2000 to 2002 model year trucks have shafts with the same external snap ring u-joint used in the CV head (TK40721, QU40774). The model year changes are not necessarily absolute as the U.S. and Mexican factories had slightly different inventories and build schedules. For example: a late production 1998 may have the 1999 joint and an early 1999 might have the 1998 joint.