2003-2009 Dodge Ram Front CV Driveshaft Joint Identification IDN-115

WHAT SIZE IS MY FRONT U-JOINT? Identify the Front Universal Joint by either the cup diameter, the type of retaining clip, or the Slip Joint Style. 2003 to 2005 shafts and many 2006-2009 shafts will have a AAM 1344 front universal joint that has 1-1/8" diameter cups retained by plastic injections (original U-Joints) or by internal c-clips that fit in grooves machined in the cups (replacement universal joints). Some 2006-2009  and all 2007-2009 front driveshafts will have larger, 1350 or 1355 series universal joints with 1-3/16" diameter cups. 2010-2013.5 Ram 2500 trucks and 2010-2012 Ram 3500 4x4s will have 1350 series Front Driveshaft u-joints. The larger Spicer 1350 and AAM 1355 u-joints have a 1-3/16" diameter cup size and use external snap rings that fit in grooves machined in the yokes. 1350 and 1355 Series U-Joints have a "Lock-Up" or overall width difference of only 0.003". The 0.003" difference is enough that all major u-joint manufacturers list separate 1350 and 1355 u-joints, but the minor lockup difference is easily compensated for by using different width snap rings which will make 1350 and 1355 u-joints interchangeable.

Front U-Joint Specifications:

• AAM1344 (Saginaw S44): Bearing Cup Diameter 1-1/8" (1.125"). Use C-Clips that fit grooves machined in cups and seat against inside of yoke ears.  Lock-Up Dimension measured from inside of Yoke Ears is 2.556" Slip Joint Style is always a Type 1 with Male Slip Stub welded to tube and a female slip yoke. Used on most Ram 1500 Mega Cab, Ram 2500, Ram 3500 4x4s 2003-2009. 
• AAM 1355: Bearing Cup Diameter 1-3/16" (1.1875"). Retained by external snap rings that fit into grooves machined in outboard end of yoke ears and seat against u-joint cups. Lock-Up Dimension of 92mm (3.622") is equal to overall width of installed u-joint. Used on some 2006.5-2009 shafts with Type 1 Slip Joints. 
• Spicer 1350: Bearing Cup Diameter 1-3/16" (1.1875"). Retained by external snap rings that fit into grooves machined in outboard end of yoke ears and seat against u-joint cups. Lock-Up Dimension of 3.625" is equal to overall width of installed u-joint. Used on all 2007-2009 shafts with Type 2 Slip Joints (Female Splined Sleeve welded to Tube and Male Yoke Shaft with u-joint).