Dually hub upgrade

[morbius]

Howdy all,



Upgrade the hubs on my 2008 3500 dually 4x4 to something designed to handle the service, went the Spyntec route and purchased via emsoffroad.



Here are pics of the product (one side):

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Here are pics of the install:

Those hubs when fully assembled are quite heavy and very solid.

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What came off (factory stuff):

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Bearing spacing on factory (only 2 5/8 inches):

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Bearing spacing on new hubs:

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Finished look:

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Finished look with modified factory hub caps:

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Overall installation was a breeze but time consuming. Very pleased with how it turned out and how it performs.



Cheers.

 

[mpaulson]

Looks like the route that I will take when the time comes. I like the fact that it doesn't reuse the factory spacer and you don't have to deal with machining the inside of the spacer out to clear the hub like the Dyna Trac one. And it works perfectly with the hub cap.

What did you use to cut the hub cap so nicely?

 

[morbius]

Yes, direct bolt on. Everything lines up sweet.

The inside of the hub cap has a tab that is left over from the injection molding which is on center. Pilot hole from the inside out, then a 4 1/2 inch hole saw from the front in. Key was to run the hole saw slow and easy with very little effort. When done, use a range of grit sand paper to clean the hole and polish up the plastic.

Cheers.

 

[Shadrach]

Looks like the route that I will take when the time comes.



They are available here in AB. PM me and I will get you the info. Shadrach

 

[morbius]

Forgot to mention, the most important thing about this setup that others do not offer, the ABS sensor and timing ring is fully protected and sealed when the hub is installed. No change of materials getting caught between the ABS pickup and ring.

Cheers.

 

[Hoefler]

Now for the million dollar question: How much for the kit??

Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Shadrach]

Check out this http://spyntec.com/dealers/ Shadrach

 

[morbius]

Now for the million dollar question: How much for the kit??
Inquiring minds want to know!

Sorry, $1745. 00 w/free shipping, purchase via emsoffroad.com.

Cheers.

 

[BILLUA]

Sweet!

Next project...

 

[Spooled05]

Looks like the route that I will take when the time comes. I like the fact that it doesn't reuse the factory spacer and you don't have to deal with machining the inside of the spacer out to clear the hub like the Dyna Trac one. And it works perfectly with the hub cap.
What did you use to cut the hub cap so nicely?

You dont have to machine any thing if you get the arrowcraft spacers (i would never machine the factory spacers) I waited on ems for 6 months and went with dynatrac and never looked back! I also have an ems kit on my 12v.

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My hubs dont stick out near as far ans yours so i went with some ford caps and modified them.
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Good lookin kit though!

 

[slowneasy]

Sweet setup morbius! Thanks for posting it. How involved is the installation? What tools are needed? Is there any other parts that need to be replaced that aren't in the kit? How is the truck now compared to before the kit driving wise? Any difficulty in removing the factory stuff?



Thanks! I would really like to go this route.

 

[morbius]

slowneasy,



Here is the tool list that I used:



Tools needed: 5 mm hex bit, 13, 15, 18, 22 mm wrench and sockets, 1 11/16 socket, medium size pry bar, torque wrench, 2 1/2 4 point spanner socket, flat blade screw driver (small and medium), needle nose pliers.



Other tools, u-joint c-press or hydraulic press (be careful), bearing packer, grinder with cut off wheel.



No other parts needed unless you want to replace the front axle u-joints. Kit comes very complete.



How involved is it, depends on your skills ... I spent 4 hours per side since I cleaned and repacked the original u-joints. Its a very straight forward install if you done such a job in the past. Its time consuming but found it fun



Driving part ... . Its great ! Rolls easier, turns are easier, much solider feel in the front. Hitting a pot hole does not have the shock feeling with a hollow feel, you with this setup get a good heavy thump feel. The ride is nicer.



I did the change on a truck with 33K miles ... everything came off rather easy. Used a large gear puller and popped off the original hubs with no effort at all.



If I had to do it all over, I would do it actually the same and from the same vendor !





Spooled05,



Nice, have seen your setup before. My goal, I wanted the front wheel in the original location, not spaced out, and not interested in anymore spacers. Its the spacer that determines how far the locker sticks out.





Cheers.

 

[slowneasy]

Thanks for the reply and info, morbius! I'm liking your setup more and more Oo. I think I'll be looking into this kit, just to bad I missed out on the July free shipping deal.



Do you have any other mods done to the front suspension- leveling kit or small lift kit? I'm most interested in a leveling kit just to level out the truck.



Thanks again!

 

[morbius]

I would ask EMS for free shipping. Tell them a recent client did a dodge ram 3500 and posted the results on dodge forums, Tom should know its me. Chances you can get it. Always for asking.



As for other mods, yes. I have an air lift in the front so when the truck is empty, its level (basically lifts the front 2 inches) and when loaded, can drop the front to stay level with the rear. I can post more about this when I get back.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Let us know if you see a mileage increase.

 

[morbius]

slowneasy,

Here is a link to the front suspension mod I did a while back:

Front suspension and lift -

Hope that helps.


CUMMINZ,

Will do, on my long test run currently.

Cheers.

 

[slowneasy]

morbius- thanks for the info and link. Do you have pictures of the Firestone system installed? If you re-use the factory coil spring, is there still compression on the coil spring with the truck leveled out (raised up 2-3")? This system sounds intriguing too! I was just at one of the big name suspension sites last night and piecing together a leveling kit with new shocks all around was over a grand! This sounds like it may be the ticket! How does this system work with towing? I have a gooseneck horse trailer when loaded is easily 12K.
Thanks again for your time.

 

[morbius]

slowneasy,

Will post more about it on the other forum to keep that thread going when I get back. I did not take pics during the install but will take some of finished setup. I will say this, its rated for more than the truck can actually handle

Cheers.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Let us know when you get some mileage calculations.



My truck lost lots of mileage when I converted to DRW.



Would love to have this kit!

 

[morbius]

Yeah DRW does cause a MPG loss ... . That part sucks, but the payload gains help make up for it.

Final result from our trip based on 65 PSI of air in all tires, tires nearly shot (time for 19. 5 rims and tires), driving habits not changed (highway speeds over 70), A/C on the whole time, including stuck in 2 hours of bumper to bumper traffic each way (argh!) ..... gained nearly 1. 5 MPG (combined Ccity & highway) over existing. That makes me very happy. We did our trip with a little less than 1 tank each way (465 miles each way with no warning lights ever coming on, still stock tank).

Overall hub temps was 118. 7 passenger and 119. 2 driver side ...

Since now the hubs are properly loaded against the length of the spindle, I find my front ball joints are shot. The passenger side has more 1/16 inch of play ..... Explains the funky tire wear. Time for a set of Carli's ... .

Hope that helps.

Cheers.