2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dynatrac and EMS hub kits (again):

[SRath]

Looking at the kits these companies sell, it appears to me, and makes sense, that they use standard, off-the-shelf hubs, rotors, bearings, outer axle shafts, lockouts, etc.



The ONLY thing I can see that is custom-made for this conversion is the spindle, which must bolt to the unitized-bearing Dodge ball-joint-knuckle.



Has anyone here ever compared their kit to standard Chevy Dana 60 parts as far as the hub, bearings, axle shafts, etc go?



I have Chevy Dana 60 parts and axles already. I wonder, if I am correct, if it is possible to buy only the spindles and use what I already have? Surely they sell replacement parts for their kits?



That would leave me the money to then buy the inner axle kit, which IS entirely different.

 

[MarkMiller]

I messed around measuring and looking up parts for awhile too(my off road jeep runs a king pin 60 front). Pirate 4x4 has the most complete dana 60 specs there are. All brands, all years, etc. . Just search the site.

Just get the whole kit, it makes life easier. I bought EMS. Spectacular customer service. Even two years later when I called for new seals, they hooked me up and wanted to know how it was all working. I was one of their first customers. No complaints, no issues. Good product.

 

[WilsonF]

I would like to know about this also. I am not interested in doing any more than making my bearings non-unitized. I have emailed both co. but never received a reply.



Floyd

 

[MarkMiller]

Wilson, just give a call to EMS. The guys are very willing to talk about the kit and whats involved.

 

[PRohr]

If one of them would offer an upgrade for the '94-'99 trucks that makes the rotors slip on instead of pressed on I would be all over one of those kits. Dynatrac acted like I was insane for asking about it. IMO that is one of the worst things about my truck. I hate having to pull the hubs to change brake rotors. I've only done it once so far but that is enough.

 

[SRath]

"Just buying the kit" is too expensive for me. So I won't buy anything.

If, however, I can utilize the parts I already have and only buy what I actually need, then they can make a sale (and I can free up some shelf space!).

My Dodge is beginning to rust and it looks like it will be going downhill fast now. I can certainly buy new panels and fix it, along with the front steering and suspension, but for the cost of the front axle conversion packages alone, I can simply yank the Cummins, junk the dodge, and put the Cummins in my Chevy which already has all the good stuff, including a REAL dana 60 front axle and super-reliable leaf spring suspension and steering.

IF I can upgrade the dodge front axle affordably, then I might be inclined to save the dodge.

So I am looking for a reason to save the dodge and it will come down to $$$. As long as that front axle and steering continue to be weak and a drain on my finances, the dodge is not deserving of a stay of execution.

 

[WDaniels]

I don't know about Dyna but EMS does not make a kit for the trucks that have the anti lock brakes for the front wheels. I've been talking to them on and off for the last 4 or 5 years about making a spindle for the tone rings for the ABS but so far no go. They say that they haven't decided yet because there are so few full 4 wheel anti-locks. But I figure that if they haven't made on yet, they are not going to. Hope they prove me wrong.

WD

 

[JDKammin]

WDaniels, Solid Axle is the only company I know that makes the hub conversion kit for front ABS axles. I have talked to EMS not too long ago and sounds like it was too expensive to make the tone ring work. Also, EMS has been waiting for their next batch of spindles to arrive, so if you are interested, you will be put on a waiting list.

 

[SRath]

So what happens if you seize a bearing or break a part like a stub shaft? Do you "go on a waiting list" and put your truck up on blocks? Do you have to buy the replacement parts from Dynatrac or EMS? Do you have to buy the entire kit again?



None of that is reasonable.



The fact EMS is only waiting for spindles to arrive from china or wherever tends to lend credence to my theory that the kits are built using standard, readily available, 'real' Dana 60 parts as far as hubs, stubs, etc go. Only the spindles are unique and specially made.



They use standard Warn lockouts, so we know that part of the hub is standard Dana 60. They use off-the-shelf bearings which they claim can be purchased anywhere, so that part of the hub is also 'real' dana 60. Ergo: the entire hub assembly is exactly the same as the ones I already have. The same logic applies to the stub shafts.



The fact EMS cannot do ABS tone rings also adds to that theory since 'real' Dana 60's never had them and EMS does not have the capability to make or modify such parts.



The more I consider all this, the more convinced I am that the spindles are the only custom-built parts of these conversion kits. And that the 'real' Dana 60 parts I already have would work just fine if I could buy just the spindles. I would want Dynatrac spindles since they are USA made.



As for the inner axle CAD eliminator upgrades, Dynatrac takes a much better approach while EMS uses a still-too-weak Dana 44 sized shaft. Sure, it is big and beefy part of it's length, but it still necks down to a weak spot to cope with the goofy CAD axle seal.



Dynatrac inner axles are true Dana 60 diameter their entire length and that seal is replaced.



I understand the desire to sell the entire 'kit' and make a markup profit off each component even though every part except the spindles is probably available everywhere, but surely they sell individual replacement parts, too? They want to make money. I need to save money.



If I am correct, and if dynatrac would sell just the custom spindles at a reasonable cost allowing me to use what I have already, then I would also buy their inner axle kit and maybe even their new, untested Pro Steer balljoints. That's another $1200 right there. The entire axle assembly would still be weaker than a real Dana 60, but it would be MUCH better than stock, though I would still be looking at spending $2000 on it alone.



But to spend the huge bucks for an entire kit, only to discover I bought mostly parts that already rest on my shelves and I'm STILL left with wimpy balljoints instead of kingpins is simply not worth the expense.



Their Pro Steers cost 3 times what a set of Moog balljoints do , so that is no small jump in cost. And, for now, the only assurance they are in fact 4 times stronger and last longer is the Dynatrac advertising. Advertising is not testing or proof. Will they outlive 3 sets of Moogs? Has anyone actually done side by side strength tests? Just how expensive are the rebuild kits?



Dodge really screwed us on these front axles... And at this point, I have to soberly ask myself if spending nearly what the entire truck is worth to fix and upgrade just that front axle alone is worth it?



The Cummins to Old Chevy conversion is looking more worthwhile all the time for a guy like me who will NEVER buy any truck newer than what I have since all newer trucks are as bad or worse than the '96 dodge. Only the Cummins and NV4500 or NV5600 makes this truck worth owning. Maybe the Dana 80. The old Chevy is superior in every other respect.