1st, torches would be a lot easier to cut the metal off the axles then my plasma, with torches you can wash the old metal off. A plasma just cuts stiff and it's really hard to wash the outer layer of steel off and leave the good steel (the housing) to where you just have to put 20 minutes to with the grinder, but if you want to save the brackets for reuse so you can patch them back on the plasma is the way to go, and a welder is just a matter of where we're going to leave your truck for 2 days.
But there's an easy way to identify what the axles are. Use the body code plate..if you can give me the vin I can decode it, but most 4wd came with a dana 44 front and either a chrysler 9 1/4 or dana 60 rear. Read below for more info. (Wouldn't want to hijack YOUR thread though..)
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LOCATION
The Body Code Plate is located on the floor pan under the passenger seat or attached to the front face of the radiator closure panel.
DECODING INFORMATION
* There are seven lines of information on the body code plate.
* Service information reads from left to right, starting with line 3 in the center of the plate to line 1 at the bottom of the plate.
* Lines 4, 5, 6, and 7 are not used to define service information.
* The last code imprinted on a vehicle code plate will be followed by the imprinted word END. When two vehicle code plates are required, the last available spaces on the first plate will be imprinted with the letters CTD (for continued).
When a second vehicle code plate is necessary, the first four spaces on each row will not be used because of the plate overlap.
LINE 3
Digits 1 Through 12 - Vehicle Order Number
Digits 13, 14, and 15 - Open Space
Digits 16, 17 and 18 - Vehicle Shell Car Line
* BR1 = 1500 4X2
* BR6 = 1500 4X4
* BR2 = 2500 4X2
* BR7 = 2500 4X4
* BR3 = 3500 4X2
* BR8 = 3500 4X4
Digit 19 - Price Class
* L = Ram Truck (All)
Digits 20 and 21 - Body Type
* 31 = Ram Truck Club Cab (138.7 inch Wheel base)
* 32 = Ram Truck Club Cab (154.7 inch Wheel base)
* 61 = Ram Truck (118.7 inch Wheel base)
* 62 = Ram Truck (134.7 inch Wheel base)
* 63 = Ram Truck Cab Chassis (138.7 inch Wheel base)
* 64 = Ram Truck Cab Chassis (162.7 inch Wheel base)
LINE 2
Digits 1, 2 and 3 - Paint Procedure
Digit 4 - Open Space
Digits 5 Through 8 - Primary Paint
Digit 9 - Open Space
Digits 10 Through 13 - Secondary Paint
Digit 14 - Open Space
Digits 15 Through 18 - Interior Trim Code
Digit 19 - Open Space
Digits 20, 21 And 22 - Engine Code
* EHC = 3.9L 6 cyl. MPI Gasoline
* ELF = 5.2L 8 cyl. MPI Gasoline
* ELN = 5.2L 8 cyl. CNG
* EML = 5.9L 8 cyl. MPI Gasoline
* EMM = 5.9L 8 cyl. MPI Gasoline Heavy Duty
* ETB = 5.9L 6 cyl. Turbo Diesel
* EWA = 8.0L 10 cyl. MPI Gasoline
Digit 23 - Open Space
LINE 1
Digits 1, 2, AND 3 - Transaxle Codes
* DGB = 4 Speed Automatic (47RE)
* DGT = 4 Speed Automatic (46RE)
* DGK = 4 Speed Automatic (42RE)
* DDP = 5 Speed Manual (NVG-4500)
* DDX = 5 Speed Manual (NVG-4500 Heavy Duty)
* DDC = 5 Speed Manual (NVG-3500)
Digit 4 - Open Space
Digit 5 - Market Code
* B = International
* C = Canada
* M = Mexico
* U = United States
Digit 6 - Open Space
Digits 7 Through 23 - Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
NOTE: Refer to VIN Information for proper decoding of VIN.