What rear axle does a Ram 5500 have?
Answer: The Ram 5500 typically uses a heavy‑duty solid rear axle built by Dana Spicer, configured as a full‑floating live axle with a leaf‑spring suspension. The exact axle model and gear ratio vary by year and configuration, so checking the vehicle’s build sheet or VIN is the best way to confirm.
Overview of the Ram 5500 rear axle
The Ram 5500 is engineered as a workhorse chassis cab with a focus on payload and towing capability. Its rear axle is designed to be strong and durable, featuring a solid (live) rear axle with leaf springs for heavy loads. The standard supplier for the rear axle in most configurations is Dana Spicer, with variations depending on year, market, and specific cab/chassis setup. Some specialized builds or non‑U.S. configurations may use an alternative supplier, but the Dana Spicer unit is the prevailing choice in the majority of Ram 5500 trucks sold in typical markets.
Common rear-axle configurations
Below is a snapshot of the typical characteristics you’ll encounter on Ram 5500 models. This reflects common configuration trends, but exact specs can differ by year and build.
- Heavy‑duty solid rear axle (live axle) with leaf‑spring suspension, designed for high payloads and rugged service.
- Most builds use a Dana Spicer rear axle as the standard supplier, with a full‑floating design common on commercial chassis configurations.
- Differential options often include locking or limited‑slip capability depending on the trim, payload package, and use case.
- Some export or specialized variants may use an alternative rear‑axle supplier, such as Meritor, but this is less common in the core U.S. market lineup.
Conclusion: For the typical Ram 5500, plan on a robust Dana Spicer solid rear axle with leaf springs; exact model and gearing should be verified on the vehicle’s build sheet or VIN.
How to identify your exact axle on a Ram 5500
To determine the precise rear axle in your Ram 5500, use these verification methods:
- Inspect the differential cover and axle tube for model numbers or stamping that identify the axle family (for example, Dana Spicer designations).
- Check the axle code on the door jamb sticker, under-hood tag, or the vehicle’s build sheet for gear ratio and axle type.
- Decode the VIN with Ram’s official resources or a trusted VIN decoder to retrieve axle and gearing information associated with your exact unit.
- Consult the original window sticker or dealer invoice, which often lists the axle specification as part of the vehicle’s package details.
Conclusion: These steps help confirm the precise rear‑axle model, ratio, and whether a locking differential is installed on your Ram 5500.
Why the axle matters for owners
The rear axle plays a key role in payload capacity, towing performance, and maintenance needs. Understanding your Ram 5500’s axle helps with parts compatibility, service intervals, and choosing the right gear ratio for your typical workloads.
Summary
The Ram 5500’s rear axle is most commonly a heavy‑duty Dana Spicer solid rear axle with a leaf‑spring setup, built to handle substantial payloads. The exact model and gearing vary by year and configuration, so always verify via the VIN/build sheet for precise specifications.
If you have a specific model year or VIN range, I can narrow down the exact axle configuration for you.
