Soo is it a 00 or an 01? Could be the 8.25 or the 9.25, if it is an 01 it is likely the 9.25, the diff cover looks like a stop sign. It is a beefy rearend for that application, it was used in the Ram 1500s as well, he should have no problems with 31s at all. It is a C clip axle, but they are a larger diameter shaft for what it is. The ratio could be anything, look up the options on the vehicle, I think 3.55 was standard with 3.73 and 3.92 optional.
I had the 9.25 in my 01 4.7 Dakota, only thing I ever broke was the open diff and ring gear when the set screw holding the center pin backed out dropping the center pin out.