Hubcaps with Dynatrack hub kit?

[tkerrigan]

I installed a freespin kit on my 04. 5 Laramie this weekend. Only thing left is to bore out the hubcaps. Anybody have any wisdom on correct cutting tools to use so as to not grab the plastic and self destruct. I am thinking useing a milling machine.

 

[ACoffel]

I also installed the Dynatrac kit this weekend and had the same question.

 

[MCummings]

Tell me more about these freespin hubcaps...



Are they like hubcaps that stay still while you drive? Kinda like spinners, but not so spinny?



Merrick

 

[Lips]

They're talking about manually selectable hubs, rather than the stock auto hubs. You know, like 4x4's had before getting out to lock in your hubs became too unbearable of a chore for the average consumer to handle.

 

[BTighe]

They're talking about manually selectable hubs, rather than the stock auto hubs. You know, like 4x4's had before getting out to lock in your hubs became too unbearable of a chore for the average consumer to handle.

:-laf



where do i find this kit? you could leave the covers off or just install them (if they fit) and pop them off when wheeling

 

[HPetrat]

I just machined a pair for a friend who was looking to modify them with the newer 3rd gen ram head with a blue epoxy (looks like blue plexiglass) background and possibly an L. E. D. light in behind for effect.

I simply screwed the hubcap to a piece of plywood, mounted it in the four-jaw-chuck on the lathe and trepanned out the center with a high speed tool bit.



It came out very easily and managed to not damage the removed center for him as well.



If you have access to a lathe give it a try, worked well for me.



HP

 

[Lips]

:-laf



where do i find this kit? you could leave the covers off or just install them (if they fit) and pop them off when wheeling

I think it's dynatrack that sells the kit. Me personally, I don't think the slight benefits justify the rather high cost, but manual hubs are definitely preferable, at least on our trucks.



On my Jeep, I got rid of the manual hubs and replaced them with drive slugs

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[MCummings]

:-laf



Nice.



Merrick

 

[steved]

Umm, from experience:



Cutting the hole is only one issue... I cut it in a drill press using a large hole saw... the plastic is tougher than you think.



The main issues is the fact the studs used in the dynatrac kit are too long... the OE hub cap won't seat (even when the center is cut away). A member at www.thedieselgarage.com told me to take the metal ring off, drill the eight small holes out, and reinstall it clocked one set of holes (if you look at the cap, you will see what I mean)... I have not did this mod as of yet.



I am currently running without caps.



steved

 

[ACoffel]

Umm, from experience:



Cutting the hole is only one issue... I cut it in a drill press using a large hole saw... the plastic is tougher than you think.



The main issues is the fact the studs used in the dynatrac kit are too long... the OE hub cap won't seat (even when the center is cut away). A member at www.thedieselgarage.com told me to take the metal ring off, drill the eight small holes out, and reinstall it clocked one set of holes (if you look at the cap, you will see what I mean)... I have not did this mod as of yet.



I am currently running without caps.



steved

I used a mill to cut out my center caps and it worked great with a very smooth and precise cut. This was the only modification needed on my truck,

so I'm wondering if it is dependent on the style of wheel one has as some are

probably thicker than others thus allowing for less protrusion of the studs. I have the cast aluminum ones off a Laramie and mine snapped right on after

I cut the hole.

If anyone is contemplating installing this kit, I would just say that I am VERY

happy with mine and the installation could not be much easier including changing the u-joints. I was expecting the unit bearing to be a nightmare ,

but as it turned out I had both of them off in an hour. The complete installation took about 6-8 hours,but I am VERY picky about the way I do

things. Dynatrac forgot to send 3 of the 4 bearing races which I discovered

around 8:30 on Saturday night and then had difficulty finding .

If anyone needs their center caps bored and doesn't have the means to

do so , I'd be happy to do that mod. for them.

 

[ACoffel]

:-laf



where do i find this kit? you could leave the covers off or just install them (if they fit) and pop them off when wheeling

I used the Dynatrac kit, but I noticed that RIGHT GEAR + Axle is selling one also, although theirs uses a 30 spline stub shaft as opposed to Dynatrac's

35 spline.

 

[steved]

This was the only modification needed on my truck,

so I'm wondering if it is dependent on the style of wheel one has as some are

probably thicker than others thus allowing for less protrusion of the studs. I have the cast aluminum ones off a Laramie and mine snapped right on after

I cut the hole.

Running factory aluminum wheels here... the studs are excessively long... interferes inside the cap... and I'm not a dummy, there's no way to snap the 3rd gen cap onto the studs/nuts with the setup I have (without further modification or changing the studs out).



steved

 

[JohnCooper]

I used the Dynatrac kit, but I noticed that RIGHT GEAR + Axle is selling one also, although theirs uses a 30 spline stub shaft as opposed to Dynatrac's

35 spline.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the 94 and newer trucks they are talking about would have been equiped with Dana axles. My friend has a 94 that does have a Dana front end on it. I'm not sure when Dodge switched to the AAM axles, but I believe it was on the 2003 3rd Gen trucks which would meen that the Right Gear kit would be for 94 thru 2002 trucks.

 

[steved]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the 94 and newer trucks they are talking about would have been equiped with Dana axles. My friend has a 94 that does have a Dana front end on it. I'm not sure when Dodge switched to the AAM axles, but I believe it was on the 2003 3rd Gen trucks which would meen that the Right Gear kit would be for 94 thru 2002 trucks.

There is very little difference in the two front ends as far as the hub kit is concerned...



steved

 

[ACoffel]

Running factory aluminum wheels here... the studs are excessively long... interferes inside the cap... and I'm not a dummy, there's no way to snap the 3rd gen cap onto the studs/nuts with the setup I have (without further modification or changing the studs out).



steved

I'll post some pics soon ! Could it be that there are some different depths

of centercaps? I'm not calling anyone a dummy, I'm simply letting members

know what worked in my case.

 

[steved]

I'll post some pics soon ! Could it be that there are some different depths

of centercaps? I'm not calling anyone a dummy, I'm simply letting members

know what worked in my case.

I'll try to get a picture tomorrow of the studs on my kit... I think they sent whatever was laying around... I'm not really happy with dynatrac in that respect... they did not give any guidance (or forethought on the build) about the centers.



IIRC, the stud sticks out almost an inch past the top of the nut, whereas before it was just about flush... I questioned it when I got it and was told it was correct...



steved

 

[Lips]

I used the Dynatrac kit, but I noticed that RIGHT GEAR + Axle is selling one also, although theirs uses a 30 spline stub shaft as opposed to Dynatrac's

35 spline.

I didn't realize the hub kit converting the axles to 35 spline outers. That's kinda nice.

 

[scootergmc]

Someone needs to change the title of this thread. I was really looking forward to seeing some blinged-out 26" spinners on a Cummins...

 

[bighammer]

Someone needs to change the title of this thread. I was really looking forward to seeing some blinged-out 26" spinners on a Cummins...

Better title now?

 

[ACoffel]

Here are some pics of the Dynatrac install. I'll get one of the hubcap on

here soon.





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