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Call or Text (352) 722-5295Axles and driveline on the 1989-1993 RAM 5.9L Cummins
Dodge built the first-gen Cummins truck around heavy axles. Two-wheel-drive D250 and D350 trucks run a Dana 70 rear, and four-wheel-drive W250 and W350 trucks pair that Dana 70 with a Dana 60 front. The Dana 70 is a full-floating axle with a 10.5 in ring gear and a typical gross axle rating of 7,500 lb; the 70HD version uses 4 in tubes and is rated at 10,000 lb. The Dodge Dana 60 front has a 9.75 in ring gear, a passenger-side drop, standard-rotation gears and manual locking hubs, which Dodge used until 1994, and it is rated up to 6,500 lb. Power reaches those axles from the 5.9L Cummins through a Getrag G360 five-speed manual or a TorqueFlite automatic: the three-speed A727 early on, and the A518 four-speed overdrive from mid-1991.
Gear ratios vary more than most owners expect. Many first-gens left the factory with 3.07:1 gears, but documented trucks show other ratios too: a 1993 D250 with a factory Dana 70 at 3.54:1, and a 1992 W350 with an NP205 transfer case and 4.10 gears. Read the tag on your axle before you order anything ratio-specific.
What fails and why
Most first-gen axle trouble comes from age, mileage and skipped service. These are the patterns to know.
- Gear oil neglect. Full-float axles that go too long between fluid changes start to whine and can overheat under towing. The schedule calls for SAE 75W-140 synthetic in the rear.
- Worn 3.07 gears. High-mileage rears with the common 3.07 ratio show gear whine and pitted teeth. One buyer's guide reports, secondhand, that the first-gen 3.07 gearset is discontinued and won't take standard Dana components, so confirm the ratio on the axle tag before you shop for gears.
- Front hubs on 4WD trucks. The manual locking hubs on the W250 and W350 Dana 60 are age-related service items. Hubs that won't engage, slop in the knuckles and uneven tire wear are the signs.
Stock replacement vs. upgrade
For a truck that works for a living, stock-style service is the right call: fresh 75W-140 synthetic in the rear, a new cover gasket and a cover that seals. A replacement cover from Mag-Hytec or BD Diesel takes the place of the factory piece; compare each product page for material, fill and drain provisions and included hardware before you choose.
Owners building for heavy towing go further. The usable alternatives to 3.07 are 3.54 and 4.10 Dana 70 ratios, and some built first-gens have swapped to a Dana 80 with 4.10 gears, an air locker and 40-spline chromoly shafts. Built leaf-spring trucks also add traction bars to control axle wrap. Gears, lockers and traction bars are not part of this collection, so call the shop if you are planning that kind of work.
What we carry
This collection is differential hardware and gear oil for the first-gen Cummins.
- Differential covers: Mag-Hytec makes a Dana 70 rear cover and the 60-DF Dana 60 front cover, and BD Diesel offers its 1061835 Dana 70 rear cover. All are listed for 1989-2002 Cummins trucks.
- Gasket and hardware: the MAHLE P18562 differential cover gasket, and an ATS Diesel Performance 402-009-1000 drain plug made for ATS pans and differential covers.
- Gear oil: Hot Shot's Secret Blue Diamond HD synthetic and ADRENALINE synthetic in 75W-90, 80W-110 and 85W-140; Lucas Oil Synthetic 75W-140 and 75W-90 plus Heavy Duty 80W-90 and 85W-140; and Royal Purple 01301 Max-Gear 75W-140 synthetic.
Fitment notes
Drivetrain decides most of this. A 2WD D250 or D350 has no front differential, so front-axle parts only apply to 4WD W250 and W350 trucks. Dana 60 units vary in drop side, spline count and knuckle design, and Dana 70 shaft and pinion splines changed over that axle's production life, so match parts to your axle, not just your model year. The MAHLE gasket is also listed for several Power Stroke trucks, and the ATS plug is sized for ATS covers and pans. Verify by VIN, and read the axle tag if the truck has had an axle swap.
Frequently asked questions
What gear oil goes in the rear axle of a 1989-1993 Ram with the 5.9L Cummins?
The maintenance schedule for these trucks calls for SAE 75W-140 synthetic in the rear Dana 70. In this collection that means Lucas Oil 10121 Synthetic 75W-140 or Royal Purple 01301 Max-Gear 75W-140. For the front Dana 60 on a 4WD truck, use the grade your service manual specifies.
Which axles does my first-gen Cummins truck have?
Every 1989-1993 Cummins truck has a Dana 70 in the rear. Four-wheel-drive W250 and W350 trucks add a Dana 60 front with manual locking hubs. The Dana 70 is full-floating with a 10.5 in ring gear, and the Dana 60 front uses a 9.75 in ring gear.
How do I find my axle ratio?
Check the tag on the axle. Many first-gens came with 3.07:1, but 3.54 and 4.10 are documented on factory trucks. Knowing the ratio matters before you order gears, because one buyer's guide reports the first-gen 3.07 set is no longer available.
Why is my rear axle whining?
On these full-float axles, whine is a common sign of neglected gear oil, and towing makes it worse because the oil runs hot. High-mileage 3.07 gears can also whine from pitted teeth. Start with a fluid change and inspect the gears with the cover off; if they are worn, a regear to 3.54 or 4.10 is the documented route.
My front hubs won't lock. Is that common on a W250 or W350?
It is a known age item. The manual locking hubs on the 4WD Dana 60 wear with time, and hubs that won't engage, knuckle slop and uneven tire wear are the usual signs. Call the shop with your VIN if you need help sorting out which parts your front axle takes.
Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.