You WILL need to count splines. Most open Dana 80 are 37 spline!!! Mine was and I had to buy a set of 35 spline axles to install the Powr-Lok I just installed.

 

You're the first I've heard that said they had a 37 spline 80 in a dodge. The Ford F-Superduty had 37 spline axles factory, but never heard of a dodge. My 3500 was 35, never pulled the shaft on my 12v yet to see.

 

I can empathize with you guys. My open diff wont make it my own drive way when the drive gets a little snow or ice. One screw turning is just not enough traction and I have to go to 4x4 to get up my own driveway.
In a neighborhood filled with diesels, getting stuck in my own drive is, well, embarrassing to say the least.

 

That's strange. I've been into 4 Dana 80's with open diff's and ALL have been 37 spline ('98,'01, and 2-'99's.) The only 35 spline axle I've been into is the one I took my Powr-Lok from and it was a dually axle so I couldn't use the axle shafts and had to order a set. Actually, now that I think about it. I seem to remember in researching my swap I found that all 3500 trucks had 35 spline axles and 2500 series trucks had 35 spline if limited slip and 37 spline if open diff. When I ordered my locker for the original Dana 80 in my truck, they wouldn't ship it unless I verified the spline count.

 

Interesting, first I've heard of this. Both my trucks are LS, so no help there. Whats the diameter on those shafts?

 

My preference is to have an arb. It is also your most expensive option and will require installing an air compressor (which is nice to have). It provides the most traction and allows stock open diff with the flick of a switch. If you don't like that option a limited slip will be an improvement as long as both tires are firmly on the ground.