Front Hub / Differential Question

[grabinov]

Can someone answer this question for me regarding the front hubs and differential on my 2004 four wheel drive truck?



The Dodge front drive design has the front wheels locked to the front half-shafts all of the time (i. e. , no manual front hub locks like a Ford). These "locked" front hubs spin the front differential and drive shaft all of the time when the truck is moving. Shifting into four wheel drive simply "locks" the front drive shaft to the transmission, driving the front wheels.



If the front hubs are "locked" all of the time, how come I am able to drive/turn on dry pavement without the steering problems you get in four wheel drive? If the answer is that the front differential is an "open" differential, why CAN'T I drive/turn on dry pavement even in four wheel drive?



I'd like to use low gear to pull my trailer up my driveway, but I have to go around a sharp turn at the same time - on pavement.



If I put in a fancy front diff (air locker?) can I unlock it and drive in four wheel drive low on dry pavement around a turn, or do I have to spend $2k on dyna-track hubs?

 

[SRadke]

It jumps and binds in 4wd because in a turn the front wheels have to travel farther than the rear wheels. They travel a larger radius. The diff is open from side to side, the problem is from front to back.

The only way to eliminate this when using low range in your truck is to install a hub kit. Or... . take your front driveline off.

-Scott

 

[grabinov]

Thanks Scott. I had a feeling that the differentiation from front to rear (rather than side to side) might be the problem. I've looked into the dyna-trac hub kit. Very cool, but expensive. Wish I could just install a "front axle disconnect" like I had on my 2nd gen...

Greg