2007.5-2009 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Axle & Driveline Parts

Axles and driveline on the 2007.5-2009 Ram 2500/3500 6.7L Cummins

When Dodge dropped the 6.7L Cummins into the Ram 2500 and 3500 in mid-2007, the axles under it did not change. For 2003 the heavy-duty Rams had already moved from Dana to American Axle (AAM): a 9.25-inch front axle on every 4x4 2500 and 3500, and the AAM 11.5-inch rear with 30-spline shafts. That same pair carried through 2009. The front is a solid axle on 4x4 trucks; 2WD trucks use a different front end, so they have no front differential to service.

That carryover is why so many parts on this page list 2003-2013 or 2003-2018 fitment. Covers and cover gaskets bolt to the axle housing, and the axle housing is the same one the 5.9L trucks used. Engine, turbo, exhaust and transmission parts are 2007.5-specific; axle parts are not. Transfer cases on 4x4 trucks are the NV271 manual-shift or NV273 electric-shift unit.

What fails and why

Less than you might expect. The axle references and owner-complaint data we checked do not show a widespread axle defect on these trucks, and drivetrain complaints filed on the 2008 Ram 2500 run well behind its steering and suspension complaints. The owner reports that do exist mostly describe noise, vibration and seal leaks. What these axles need is service: clean gear oil at the right level, a cover gasket that seals, and attention to seals and bearings as the miles stack up.

Gear oil and service intervals

The front AAM 9.25 on 4x4 trucks holds 2.45 quarts; check your owner's manual for the front fluid spec. The rear AAM 11.5 takes 3.8 to 4.2 quarts of 75W-90 full synthetic, and 75W-140 synthetic is the call for heavy towing. The severe-service change interval is 15,000 miles or 12 months. Your owner's manual spells out what counts as severe service, so read it once and set your schedule from it.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

Stock-style service means a new cover gasket and fresh gear oil at the factory spec. An upgrade replaces the factory cover with a heavier aftermarket one. Finned differential covers, sight-glass and magnetic fill plugs, and synthetic gear oils are the catalogued driveline upgrades for these trucks. The factory route makes sense when the cover is straight and dry and the truck mostly runs empty. An aftermarket cover makes sense when the stock one is bent or seeping at the flange, or when you tow heavy and want a stouter cover on the back of the axle. If a lift is in your plans, lifts over 3 inches on 2003-2009 Rams may need driveline work to correct pinion angle, so budget for driveshaft changes with a tall lift.

What we carry

Covers come from Mag-Hytec (the AA14-9.25 front and AA 14-11.5 rear), Pacific Performance Engineering (heavy-duty cast aluminum 9.25 front and AAM 11.5 rear covers, plus the 138051002 rear cover gasket), BD Diesel (14-9.25 front, 14-11.5 rear and a front-and-rear cover pack), Wehrli Custom Fabrication (the WCF100113 AAM 11.5 rear cover and a rear cover bolt kit) and Banks Power (the Ram-Air differential cover kit). ATS Diesel Performance supplies a drain plug that fits ATS pans and differential covers. For gear oil you can pick from Hot Shot's Secret Adrenaline and Blue Diamond synthetics, Lucas Oil synthetic and heavy-duty grades, and Royal Purple Max-Gear 75W-140.

Fitment notes

Front covers only apply to 4x4 trucks, since 2WD Rams use a different front end with no 9.25 axle. Rear covers fit both the 2500 and 3500, but dually (DRW) 3500s and single-rear-wheel trucks have different hubs and track even though they share the AAM 11.5 family, so confirm by VIN before ordering anything that touches hubs or wheels. Read the year range in each title: front covers are listed through 2012 or 2013, while most rear covers run through 2018. The 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs use a different chassis, and most pickup parts do not interchange. When in doubt, verify by VIN or call us.

Frequently asked questions

Which axles are under a 2007.5-2009 Ram 2500 or 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins?

American Axle units. 4x4 trucks have an AAM 9.25-inch front, and both the 2500 and 3500 use the AAM 11.5-inch rear with 30-spline shafts. These are the same axles Dodge used from 2003, which is why most covers and gaskets here also fit the 5.9L trucks.

How much gear oil does the rear axle take?

The rear AAM 11.5 takes 3.8 to 4.2 quarts. The spec is 75W-90 full synthetic, with 75W-140 synthetic for heavy towing. The front 9.25 on 4x4 trucks holds 2.45 quarts. Since the rear figure is a range, have a fifth quart on hand.

How often should I change the differential fluid?

The severe-service interval for these axles is 15,000 miles or 12 months. Your owner's manual defines severe service, so check it against how you use the truck. Each change is also a good time to put on a fresh cover gasket.

Are axle problems common on these trucks?

Not according to the references we checked. There is no documented widespread axle defect for the 2007.5-2009 Ram HD, and on the 2008 Ram 2500, drivetrain complaints run far behind steering and suspension complaints. Routine gear oil and cover service is the main job.

Will a lift kit affect my driveline?

It can. On 2003-2009 Rams, lifts over 3 inches may need driveline modification to correct pinion angle. If you are going taller than 3 inches, plan the driveshaft work along with the lift, not after it.

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.