94-02 Dodge Cummins Dana 80 Bottom Spring Plate

The Mopar 52038459 is the genuine OEM Dana 80 rear spring clip plate - also called the bottom spring plate - for 1994-2002 Dodge Ram 2500 manual trucks and all Ram 3500 duallys equipped with the Dana 80 rear axle. It clamps the rear leaf spring pack to the Dana 80 axle housing, maintaining correct load distribution across the spring perch during leaf spring service, U-bolt replacement, or a full rear suspension rebuild.

Mopar 52038459 fits 1994-2002 Ram 2500 trucks with a manual transmission and all 1994-2002 Ram 3500 dually configurations; it does not fit Ram 2500 automatic trucks from these years, which use the Dana 70 rear axle and require a different spring plate.

Dana 80 or Dana 70 - Confirm Before Ordering

Getting the axle right is the most important check on this part - the 1994-2002 Ram uses two different rear axles depending on transmission and truck configuration, and the spring plates are not interchangeable.

• Dana 80 - Ram 2500 with manual transmission, and all Ram 3500 dually trucks. This plate is correct.
• Dana 70 - Ram 2500 with automatic transmission. Requires a different spring plate - Mopar 52038459 will not fit.

If the axle tag on your differential housing shows Dana 80, or you have confirmed a manual-trans Ram 2500 or any Ram 3500 dually from 1994-2002, this is the correct OEM spring clip plate to order. Confirm the Dana 80, then proceed.

What This Plate Does

The Dana 80 bottom spring plate mounts at the bottom of the rear leaf spring pack, sandwiched between the spring pack and the Dana 80 axle housing perch.

Working together with the U-bolts, it clamps the spring pack securely to the rear axle and keeps the spring centered on the axle perch under load. A deformed or cracked spring clip plate should not be reused - a compromised plate can allow the leaf spring pack to shift on the axle perch, affecting rear suspension geometry on a Ram 2500 or 3500 5.9L Cummins under towing or hauling conditions.

Replacing the spring plate during any U-bolt service or leaf spring rebuild is the correct approach for a complete stock-spec rear suspension restoration on these 2nd gen Cummins trucks.

Cosmetic Condition - What to Expect

Fitment Coverage

Fits 1994-2002 Dodge Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 trucks equipped with the Dana 80 rear axle.

• 1994-2002 Dodge Ram 2500 - 5.9L Cummins diesel - manual transmission (Dana 80 rear axle)
• 1994-2002 Dodge Ram 3500 - 5.9L Cummins diesel - all dually configurations (Dana 80 rear axle)

Dana 80 trucks only. Does not fit 1994-2002 Ram 2500 automatic trucks (Dana 70 axle).

Avoid These Common Mistakes

The wrong-order rate on this part is higher than average because of the axle split between Ram 2500 configurations.

• Ordering by truck year alone without confirming the Dana 80 - Ram 2500 automatic trucks from the same 1994-2002 years use the Dana 70 and a different plate
• Ordering quantity 1 - this part is sold individually and 2 are required per vehicle, one per side of the rear axle
• Returning the part for paint blemishes - minor surface dings and paint imperfections are normal on this Mopar part and are not a manufacturing defect

OEM Part Number

Before You Order

• Rear axle confirmed as Dana 80 - manual Ram 2500 or Ram 3500 dually
• Quantity set to 2 at checkout - one plate per order, 2 needed per vehicle
• Cosmetic condition acceptable - paint blemishes and surface dings are normal on this Mopar part

For a stock-spec leaf spring or U-bolt service on a 1994-2002 Ram 2500 manual or Ram 3500 dually with a confirmed Dana 80 rear axle, 52038459 is the correct OEM spring clip plate to order.

Frequently Asked Questions