Yukon Gear 4340 Chrome-Moly Replacement Inner Axle for Dana 60 38in Long 30 Spline

If you own a 1994-2000 Ram 2500 or 3500 4x4 with the factory Dana 60 front and you are tired of the vacuum axle disconnect - front end that will not pull, a grinding shift collar, or a passenger-side intermediate shaft that let go - this is the long one-piece passenger-side inner shaft that replaces the two-piece setup. Yukon part YA W48221 is a 4340 chromoly inner front axle, 30 spline, 38 inches long, built for use with a disconnect (CAD) delete.

What the long-side inner axle does in a Dodge Dana 60

From the factory, these Ram Dana 60 fronts were a disconnect design. The driver-side inner shaft runs straight into the carrier, but the passenger side is split: a short shaft from the carrier meets a second shaft in the tube, and a vacuum-operated shift collar slides over both to lock them together when you select 4WD. In 2WD the collar pulls back, so the right front wheel no longer back-drives the ring and pinion. It saves some front-axle drag, but it adds a vacuum actuator, hoses, a shift fork and a sliding collar to the list of things that can fail.

A one-piece long-side shaft removes that split. The shaft goes from the carrier side gear all the way out to the inner yoke of the passenger U-joint, so the front axle is always connected to the carrier. Yukon makes this one from 4340 chromoly with cold roll formed splines and induction heat treating, which is a real step up in strength over the stock two-piece arrangement.

Symptoms that point here

• 4WD selected but only the driver-side front wheel pulls, or the front does not pull at all.
• Grinding or clunking from the passenger side of the front axle when shifting into 4WD.
• Vacuum leaks at the actuator or its lines, often found after the truck has sat.
• A broken or twisted passenger-side intermediate shaft after hard 4WD use or larger tires.
• Worn or chewed splines on the shift collar or on the shaft ends it slides over.

How to confirm before buying

Jack up the front, put the transfer case in 4WD, and turn each front wheel by hand. If the driveshaft turns from the driver side but the passenger wheel spins freely, the disconnect is not engaging. Check vacuum at the actuator next; a good actuator with no vacuum points to lines or the switch, while a collar that will not move with vacuum applied points to a stuck or worn mechanism. Our Dana 60 front axle problems and rebuild cost guide covers the other front-end faults that look similar, and chromoly axle shafts vs stock explains when the upgrade earns its price.

Fitment

Yukon lists YA W48221 for 1994-1998, 1999 and 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 4WD trucks with the Dana 60 front disconnect design. It is the inner shaft only: 30 spline, 38 inches long. Count your inner splines before you order. Some of these trucks use 35-spline shafts, and those need the 35-spline disconnect delete kit instead. If you are not sure, send us your year and VIN, or browse the rest of our axle and driveline hard parts.

Install notes

• The shaft alone does not seal off the disconnect housing. You also need a block-off plate, gasket and the correct inner axle seal. If you are starting from a stock disconnect axle, the complete 30-spline delete kit (YA W26030) includes this shaft plus those parts.
• The shaft slides through the tube into the carrier side gear, so the passenger-side hub, knuckle-side shaft and U-joint come out first. Inspect that U-joint and replace it if it shows any play or rust.
• Replace the inner tube seal while you are there. A leaking inner seal lets gear oil run down the tube and into the hub.
• Drain and refill the front differential with the gear oil weight your owner's manual or axle tag calls for. If you see metal on the magnet or the pattern looks worn, plan for a Dana 60 ring and pinion with master bearing kit before the axle goes back together.
• With the delete done the front axle turns all the time. That is normal and is how most later trucks are built.

The listing ships same business day from the USA, in stock.

Does this fit my 1994-2000 Ram 2500 or 3500 with a Dana 60 front?

Yukon lists it for 1994-2000 Ram 2500 and 3500 4WD trucks with the Dana 60 front disconnect design. It is 30 spline and 38 inches long. Count your inner splines first; 35-spline axles need the 35-spline delete kit instead.

Is this the whole disconnect delete kit?

No. This is the one-piece 4340 chromoly inner shaft only. To close up the disconnect housing you also need a block-off plate, gasket and the special inner axle seal, which come together in the Yukon YA W26030 kit.

Which side does it go on?

The passenger side. That is the side with the factory disconnect, where the stock setup uses two shorter shafts joined by a sliding collar.

Will my front axle turn all the time after the delete?

Yes. Without the disconnect, the front axle and front driveshaft turn with the wheels even in 2WD. The transfer case still controls whether the front is driven.

What else should I replace at the same time?

Inspect the passenger U-joint, replace the inner axle seal, and refill the differential with fresh gear oil. If the ring and pinion are worn, it is the cheapest time to do them because the axle is already apart.