Front axle weight

[Marty064]

Hi All,
Does anyone know for sure, on a 1999 , 3500 van was anything offered other than a 4000 lb front axle. I'm in the proccess of looking for spindles, and some suppliers are questioning "what axle, 3600 or 4000". I know mine has 4000......did they do "other things" ??? Marty

[Dodgevanman]

The one-tonners either had a 3600# rated front axle or a 4000# front axle. I don't know the spindle differences, but I do know the front hubs and rotors are different between the two.

So to answer your question, yes, 3500 series vans had two different weight ratings on the front axles.

[Marty064]

Thanks, I thought they came both ways, I'm looking for used and the people I'm talking with can't seem to nail down an answer. I do know that shaft diameter is different because the 3600 bearings don't fit the 4000....Marty

[B-300]

Although it may not apply to a '99, earlier vans also came in 2 flavors of 1 ton. The 4000# axle on them had different lower control arms (looked upsidedown), longer springs+shocks, larger tie-rod ends, and different lower balljoints... The 3600# used the same parts as the 1/2 and 3/4 ton, except for the obvious. The spindles, brakes and springs

[stev]

ALSO, the 5-lug wheels are the lighter weight axle and the 8-lug wheels are the HD weight axle. The B2500 could go either way while the B3500 was always the HD. I have an HD 8-lug wheels for the HD axle.