Locking front hub's

[EErmert]

Has anyone got the kit from Dyantrack(sp)? A some what new Diesel Truck magizin had some really good picture's of this kit... Soooooo, anyone...

Eric '03 HO QC 6SP LIMITED SLT SWB SRW WHITE FUEL TNK MOD 4X4 STOCK - HAVE TURN SIGNEL MIRRORS

 

[tkerrigan]

I should have one in about a month, I talked to them yesterday. It has to be built, so whenever it gets done.

 

[loghauler]

Had the DYNATRAC system installed last fall. Noticed an immediate 1 - 1. 5 mpg increase, little less cab noise, and the truck seems to steer easier. Downside is you have find someone to machine out the center of the plastic hub caps for a decent final look. Disappointed in the finish as the black paint rusted right through. Local mechanic who installed the kit thought the quality was top notch. No regrets to date.

 

[turbinesurgun]

how much does this kit cost? is it worth the money invested?

 

[RAndrae]

I installed the kit on my 02, as the 02 have no axle disconnect, relatively easy install, noticed 1-1 1/2 mpg increase. Nice kit

 

[tkerrigan]

The kit costs $1795. Just go to dynatrac.com to view.



http://www.dynatrac.com/products_freespin.html

Dynatrac Products



I'm paying about $1450 for mine as I bought a certificate from a fellow in Ca. who has a duramax and won it in a multi part competition, dyno, sled pull, & etc.

Yes he did beat ford and dodges and the funny thing was, he had a loaner engine in it as he was having his engine worked on.

 

[JasonBrown]

Wasn't there a group buy for TDR members not too long ago? Does that group buy price still apply?

 

[ACoffel]

I wish another group buy for this kit would take place as I am chompin at the bit to get

one. I can' t afford it , but yet I feel I can't afford not to have it either. I believe it would be the most important drivetrain upgrade to be made on these trucks next to the transmission as it would

prevent so much unnecessary rotation , lessen driveline vibration and save a little on

fuel. HOW DO WE START A GROUPBUY !

 

[steved]

If you do a group buy, make sure YOU pay dynatrac directly...



steved

 

[JimDay]

Where it will pay for it's self is when you have to service your hubs or replace a u-joint. What I have read is the factory hub aren't serviceable. So you end up tearing the spindle up trying to get it off.

 

[ACoffel]

The factory wheel bearings are not serviceable or dependable and the lack of front

disconnect puts undue wear on the axle u-joints. Because of this pitiful excuse for

drivetrain engineering everything from the wheel back to the t-case is in constant

rotation when the truck is moving. While some taught the convenience of not having

to get out of the truck and lock the hubs and how they use 4wd so often, I doubt

there is anyone who needs the hubs locked while traveling on interststate!!

 

[SKneeland]

to each his own... .



i personally have never had a problem in this area with any of my dodge trucks. furthermore i quite enjoy laughing at the ford owners crawling out of their trucks in the mud who forgot to lock their hubs, while i drive away... .

 

[Nate]

Agreed.



In the off road world, competetion folks are starting to go toward using the unit bearings. It is very much more covienent and fast to replace a broke axle shaft with the unit bearing setup. vs having to tear apart the hub.



I've got 162k on my truck with the factory unit bearings. I don't think that's too bad.

 

[Remmy]

Is it worth the 1 to 1. 5 mpg loss for the life of the truck?

Both of my Ford powerstrokes with manual hubs would see an immediate 1. 5 mpg improvement when I would unlock the hubs. It sure would be nice to see that improvement in my new Dodge.

 

[Nate]

I dunno. Figure that kit is what, $1800? That's alot of fuel!

 

[steved]

What I have read is the factory hub aren't serviceable. So you end up tearing the spindle up trying to get it off.

I have taken the non-ABS hubs apart on many occaisions, greased them, squeezed them back together, and reinstalled... in fact one set has been apart twice and is still going at 250k... they are on the front of my dad's truck... the OEM grease in those unit bearings amounts to about a tablespoon... and you do not damage the bearing... the ABS units could/can be greased through the hole for the ABS sensor...



I like the fact that the bearings are serviceable... for the offroader, this is a blessing... run a unit bearing through a mudhole and then try to clean/repack it... not fun and if you damage one bearing the entire unit is trash... whereas the DT kit can easily replace a single bearing... while it might take a little longer, it is still more serviceable.



I also like the fact the front end isn't turning and causing the dreaded 70mph vibes some of the 3rd gens are blessed with... and not wearing all the front end components... it isn't as critical with the CAD trucks because you are turning much less with the CAD trucks than the later non-CAD axles... I doubt you would see much, if any, improvement in mileage one a CAD equiped truck. I for one can run 70mph without a single vibration and I saw an increase of somewhere in the neighborhood of 2mpg... it is hard to tell since because I did a bunch of mods...



steved

 

[steved]

I dunno. Figure that kit is what, $1800? That's alot of fuel!

But if it means the difference of a vibration or no vibration... it is the best $1800 you could spend... MPG is only one gain out of the system...



It made my truck much more highway friendly since I can actually cruise at 70+MPH now without feeling like I'm going to tear something up due to the vibration...



It is also the "cool" factor when someone actually notices you have locking hubs... ... I have been asked at least a dozen time "... are those factory installed??????" :-laf



steved

 

[EErmert]

Hey Steved, did you put the "kit" in yourself or... by the by, What year is your CTD



Eric '03 305/555 4X4 stock

 

[steved]

Hey Steved, did you put the "kit" in yourself or... by the by, What year is your CTD



Eric '03 305/555 4X4 stock

Installed myself... getting the old hubs off was the hardest part...



2004. 5, 2500...



steved

 

[ACoffel]

I just couldn't stand it anymore so I got out the plastic ,called Dynatrac and my kit

is supposed to ship next week. Does anyone know if there is a greasable u-joint available for these axle shafts yet ? What is the best wheel bearing grease to use ?

I've tore down more than a few of the old 70s' fulltime Dodge and Chevy front axle

assemblies with fairly high mileage and most of them ended up as scrap metal because

just about every component was badly worn and I don't think these new fulltimers will

be any different. As a matter of fact with the unit bearing, they'll probably be worse.