Manual Hubs = Mileage improvement?

[South Dakota]

Does anyone have any data on mileage gains with adding the manual hubs on a 3rd gen 4wd? I know the initial cost (around $1800) is hard to stomach and it would take some miles to make it up. I also know that at least they would be serviceable and therefore potentially last longer.

 

[Fendley]

I know that you can put manual hubs on a 2nd gen. truck but I thought the 3rd gen. front axle would not accept manual hubs?

 

[DPKetchum]

There is a kit to install. From what I've read fuel mileage improvement is very minor.

 

[South Dakota]

I know Dynatrac makes a conversion kit wich consists of new spindle's, bearings, stub axles, hubs, seals etc. It costs about 1,795. 00 With todays fuel prices I am looking at any potential mileage increase.

 

[DPKetchum]

At those prices not me. Take for EVER at a 1/4 mile increase to pay for anything. Like a fueling box. Any one spending the money for one or free spinning front hubs JUST for the mileage is using that as a placebo. Now if your front hubs/spindles/bearings are shot thats another issue. BUT just for a weenie sip of fuel no way.

 

[NFry]

I am getting about 1 1/2 to 2 better with my hubs unlocked. If I watch how I am drive,I can make 700 mile on a tank ( main tank only) Low fuel light on,gauge on the empty peage. I wish they was on the truck new, I drove 25000 mile before I put them on .

 

[JAlderman]

If your in alot of stop and go driving you won't notice the benefits, but you will notice it on the highway under steady constant cruising. I usually average 15 in town and 20 on the highway, but that gets thrown out the window when a power puke needs to be shown that a little 6 cylinder can run.

It sucks living in a Ford town, it kills my fuel bill. :-laf

 

[steved]

I saw around 1. 5mpg improvement... and that's across the board.



steved

 

[MickeyMiller]

I am getting 1 + mpg better, plus I have a MUCH smoother driving truck. Plus, every other Dodge drive does a double take!

 

[sid325]

Same here, about 1 mpg gain, much smoother, I don't have the 70 mph front-end vibration any longer. Well worth the money.



Sid

 

[tshort]

Look at these guys, www.emsoffroad.com. Much less expensive, and I've talked to them and they seem very knowledgeable. I plan on getting their kit this summer. There are a few on here that run them if you do a search. Just another option.

Ryan

 

[Kerm]

Wow that EMS hub conversion looks like a workin man can afford that!!! Anybody installed one of there kits yet? I am about to rebuild pretty much the hold front end on my truck and would seriously consider usong this stuff instead! I just ordered the parts. But, heck I would sell them on ebay for the cost of the manual upgrade!

 

[Kerm]

After further inspection of the price sheet. The conversion kit for my 3500 4x4 DRW is 1600 for standard duty and 1800 for the heavy duty kit. so, the savings projected on the inital page on the web site are a little misleading!!!! That is for the standard duty 1500 4x4 package NOT the 2500 or 3500 package!! Would be nice tho!!

 

[South Dakota]

Why would the hub kit for the DRW cost more than the SRW? They have the same front ends do they not?

 

[JHofmann]

The dually kit is more because they supply the hub extenders for the dually wheels. The dynatrac kit does not have those.

 

[jwduke]

At $3 a gallon & a 1. 5 mpg savings, they will pay for them selves in 105,813. 9 miles. If you plan on keeping your truck a while, plus the increased driveability, they are worth it. If you figure in increased tire wear, that figure would drop even more. If fuel goes up to $4, they will pay for them selves EVEN FASTER!

 

[South Dakota]

The dually kit is more because they supply the hub extenders for the dually wheels. The dynatrac kit does not have those.

Gotchya... ..... Thanks

 

[JHardwick]

At $3 a gallon & a 1. 5 mpg savings, they will pay for them selves in 105,813. 9 miles. If you plan on keeping your truck a while, plus the increased driveability, they are worth it. If you figure in increased tire wear, that figure would drop even more. If fuel goes up to $4, they will pay for them selves EVEN FASTER!

Exactly. :-{}

 

[mymtnhauler]

Also consider the cost of the transfercase front drive line and the front bearimgs, all this is turning all the time so it would be worth the cost to save all these componants. Why the didnt offer it as an option is beond me!Oo.