Have 240k on this diesel DRW and the carier bearing makes a noise up to 40 mph and then is pretty quite. I replaced the gear lube in the axle and had all kinds of metal so it's time to consider on how to get calipers on the rear axle. I'm thinking the 99 and newer is a good choice with 3:73's compared to the 4:10 on it now. So I'm wondering if the perch has the same width or if the frames are diffferent width. Thankx!!!!!

 

the 99up axle have a 8 on 170mm bolt pattern, you have 8 on 6.5"

And the disc brakes on the 99-04 are nothing to write home about, and the parking brake SUCKS