Group Buy Manual/Rebuildable Lock Out Hubs

[jungledave]

Originally posted by TBrennan

(pssst ... don't look now guys, but I'm pretty sure the rear axle is also rotating all the time AND it's under torque stress as well , unless you want a front drivetrain that lasts twice as long as the rear, better get Dynatrac to build a rear hub assembly so you can disconnect the rear wheels and just sit in your driveway and rev your engine with out wearing out those precious parts)



But what do I know, I'm in the Stoopid club.

Your rear end doesn't have a transfer case chain in it.

 

[GHanna]

Originally posted by TBrennan

(pssst ... don't look now guys, but I'm pretty sure the rear axle is also rotating all the time AND it's under torque stress as well , unless you want a front drivetrain that lasts twice as long as the rear, better get Dynatrac to build a rear hub assembly so you can disconnect the rear wheels and just sit in your driveway and rev your engine with out wearing out those precious parts)



But what do I know, I'm in the Stoopid club.

----or "U" joints--- that are always working at various angles due to steering.

 

[TBrennan]

Transfer case chains are in the transfer case, right? What does that change with lockout hubs?



And U-joints are turning all the time on the driveshaft, so? The fronts won't last any longer than those I guess ...

 

[GHanna]

Originally posted by TBrennan

Transfer case chains are in the transfer case, right? What does that change with lockout hubs?



And U-joints are turning all the time on the driveshaft, so? The fronts won't last any longer than those I guess ...

You have to to understand how a basic four wheel drive system works. Without the ability to disconnect the front hubs the front wheels drive the entire front drivetrain when the transfer case is in two wheel drive--- including the chain in the transfer case. With locking hubs in the lockout position and the transfer case in two wheel drive the hubs just turn on the spindles without driving anything and the transfer case doesn't drive the chain or the rest of the front end components. We have a lot of unnecessary monkey motion going on with our system.

The second generation front axle at least had an axle disconnect.

I'd sure like to make the mod if it's affordable.

 

[TBrennan]

I've never seen the inside of a transfer case, but I understand how the basic 4 wheel drive system is set up on our trucks.



So you are hoping to install this kit that introduces two new parts to wear out (hubs), in hopes that the chain in the transfer case lasts longer?



I guess for me to see any value in this the conversion it would have to be fairly inexpensive (and it appears it will not be) and demonstrate that it somehow greatly increased the reliability of the system. Maybe when I have to fix or replace my transfer case I will reconsider. When should we start to see these failures?

 

[GHanna]

Originally posted by TBrennan

I've never seen the inside of a transfer case, but I understand how the basic 4 wheel drive system is set up on our trucks.



So you are hoping to install this kit that introduces two new parts to wear out (hubs), in hopes that the chain in the transfer case lasts longer?



I guess for me to see any value in this the conversion it would have to be fairly inexpensive (and it appears it will not be) and demonstrate that it somehow greatly increased the reliability of the system. Maybe when I have to fix or replace my transfer case I will reconsider. When should we start to see these failures?

There's not much to wear out in a manual hub. In forty years of working on and driving four wheel drive vehicles I've never managed to break one. In the old, underpowered jeeps you could really feel the difference in power and smoothness with the hubs unlocked.

I have an old Bronco with 200,000 miles on it with the original locking hubs and they are in perfect mechanical condition. The hubs just engage some BIG spines when you twist the knob. The only time you have any moving parts is when you engage or disengage the hubs. Also, I should mention that the axle disconnect on the second generation only disconnected one axle. It does help prevent the front wheels from turning the front driveshaft, but not really comparable to locking hubs. I agree that a conversion for our trucks will probably be cost prohibitive after looking at the hubs on my new truck. Seems we would have to change a lot of stuff. Dodge and the axle company took the cheapest way out possible. Sorta' like not supplying rear wheelwell liners and making us buy and install them on our own.

Disappointing on a $40,000 vehicle.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

On the other hand I have broke a bunch of manual lock out's, well I guess I shouldn't blame the lock out, 500HP and 40's seems to out of their limit, LOL





But on a serious note. Remember that the axles joints were always turning on the 2 gen truck just like ours. I don't remember ever seeing mass failures of axle joints in those trucks? I do remeber people complaining about the CAD though, I never had a problem with it personaly, well they got rid of the CAD for you.

 

[randyn]

Update!



One of our members will be taking his truck to Dynatrac on the 10th. We may get some indication soon after that, but it may take a while to get the whole story (price dates etc. ).



RandyN

 

[randyn]

Update!



One of our members will be taking his truck to Dynatrac on the 10th. We may get some indication soon after that, but it may take a while to get the whole story (price dates etc. ).



RandyN

 

[Phrogger57]

re: axle u-joint problems

When I had my '96, I had to replace the (knuckle) u-joints at about 55k ( one was at 52k, the other went to 56k). A buddy of mine in Indiana who does a lot of general maintenance/repair says he saw quite a few in his shop (small shop, 6-8 trucks over a period of ~2 years). With the non-greasable factory joints, etc. this issue is not just for "mileage", but the overall wear and tear (for me) -Eric

 

[randyn]

Update:



Due to the "group buy" guidlines recently posted, this will be the last post under the above subject line. This project will move to "Serviceable Lock Out Hubs" in the same forum.

Go there now for news!



RandyN

 

[Scrappy]

any news?

.

 

[GHanna]

What ever happened with the hubs?

 

[CSilkowski]

Still in process. See new thread titled "Serviceable Lock Out Hubs"

 

[Scrappy]

lockouts

anything new to report?

 

[bombero]

I'll buy a set!!!