Ram 2500 & 3500 Front Drive Shaft – 2013-2018 6.7L Cummins (OEM 5146802AA)

A Front Drive Shaft for the 6.7L Cummins Ram HD Trucks

This is a complete front drive shaft assembly built for the 2013-2018 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 with the 6.7L inline-six Cummins diesel, sized for the 4x4 versions of these trucks (a front drive shaft only exists on the 4-wheel-drive drivetrain, since 2WD Ram HD trucks don't have one to begin with). It's a direct replacement for the factory unit, cross-referenced to OEM and aftermarket part numbers 5146802AA, 65-3016, and 938-263, so it lines up with what's already on the truck rather than requiring any modification to install. The 6.7L Cummins in these trucks is known for high mileage longevity, and keeping the driveline underneath it in good shape is what lets that engine actually rack up the miles it's capable of.

Why Front Drive Shafts Wear Out on These Trucks

The front drive shaft on a 4x4 Ram HD truck spends its life absorbing the angle changes between the transfer case and front differential every time the suspension moves, and the U-joints at each end are the parts that eventually give out from that constant flexing. Add in the weight these trucks carry and tow, plus regular exposure to road salt, mud, and water crossings, and it's a part that sees more stress than most people realize until it starts making itself known with a vibration or a clunk.

Key Features

• Complete front drive shaft assembly, ready to bolt in
• Cross-referenced to OEM and aftermarket part numbers 5146802AA, 65-3016/653016, and 938-263/938263
• Direct fit for 4x4 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks with the 6.7L Cummins
• No cutting, balancing, or custom fabrication needed to install

Specifications

• Position: Front
• OEM/cross-reference numbers: 5146802AA, 65-3016 (653016), 938-263 (938263)
• Engine application: L6 6.7L (Cummins)
• Package includes: 1x front drive shaft assembly
• Condition: New

Compatibility

Fits 2013 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 with the L6 6.7L Cummins, and 2014-2018 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 with the L6 6.7L Cummins, on 4x4 configurations. This is a front-shaft-specific part, so it won't apply to 2WD trucks, and it isn't intended for Ram 2500/3500 trucks running the 6.4L Hemi gas V8 rather than the Cummins diesel.

Signs This Part Needs Replacing

A worn front drive shaft on these trucks usually shows up first as a vibration that gets worse with speed, or a clunk when shifting between drive and reverse as slack in a worn U-joint takes up before power transfers smoothly. Some owners also notice a rhythmic knocking under the truck at low speed, particularly when turning, which is often the front U-joints telling you they're past their useful life. Left alone long enough, a failed U-joint can let the shaft come apart entirely, which is the scenario this kind of replacement is meant to head off before it happens.

Why Owners Replace the Whole Assembly

Where the U-joints are pressed into the shaft rather than serviceable separately, replacing the complete assembly is usually more practical than trying to press in new joints on a shaft that's already seen 100,000-plus miles of towing and plowing through winter roads. It also means the shaft, joints, and any yoke wear are all addressed in one job instead of fixing the joints today and finding out the yoke is egg-shaped six months later.

Installation Notes

Swapping a front drive shaft on a Ram HD truck means supporting the shaft while you pull the retaining bolts at both the transfer case and front differential yokes, and it's worth marking the orientation of each flange before removal so the new shaft goes back in phase with the driveline. These trucks sit heavy enough that a proper lift or jack stands make the job considerably safer and easier than working on ramps alone, and it's worth checking the transfer case output seal for leaks while everything's apart, since that's a common companion failure on higher-mileage trucks.

Ordering Information

This Ram front drive shaft is in stock and ships ready to install. Our Shipping Information page covers current timelines, and our Warranty and Returns pages explain what to do if anything isn't right on arrival. If you're not sure this matches your specific Ram's configuration, our Request a Part page is the fastest way to confirm before you order.

Related Parts

This driveshaft is listed in our Ram collection, along with our Axles & Differential and Transmission & Drivetrain collections, where you'll find other driveline parts for these trucks.