Serviceable Lock Out Hubs

[thejeepdude]

Sounds sweet! I wouldn't do it for the fuel payoff either, but I sure would love to have the rugged versatility of manual hubs! If that group buy price is over $1k I'm just going to have to wait until my factory hubs go kaput, but at least there's a better alternative now!!

 

[opjohnny]

Don't forget the 2wd low you would have. I think it would make the truck more versatile. Reverse seems tall to me on occasion.

 

[banjoDave]

kits

the kits in test will fit upto 05 models.

Mine should be here 1st of next week, & I'll let ya all know how she works



Dave



02 HO With ABS

 

[randyn]

Update.



There will be a group buy price lower than the retail $1795. I'm in process of working that out w/ Dynatrac now, as well as a target date. You can order these kits now for retail or get in on the group buy. We will need a minimum number of people for a group buy to get the discount, so hopefully people will get in on that instead of ordering direct now. This helps Dynatrac too because they can tool up and have a longer production run. I am optomistic we will have enough people at the price being discussed. The more people the merrier. Clarification: Dale Renegar said he had a driveline vibration at highway speeds. That was before he had the hubs installed, once they were installed w/ driveline not turning the vibration went away.



More later.



RandyN

 

[Matt400]

The $1795 mentioned earlier was the retail price for the kit. This included installation

Is there a retail price "uninstalled"?

 

[EBottema]

I'm sure it is uninstalled. Price is only for parts...



Will the group buy count for the 2nd gen version or only 3rd gen hubs?

 

[Matt400]

randyn said he paid 1795. 00 installed. I hope its much lower or it won't be worth it.

If my math is right. . @ 10,000 miles per year and a 2 mpg savings it will take 12 years to pay for itself.

 

[EBottema]

It all depends on how much you drive a year i would think. That is only one benefit of it. Getting rid of the driveline vibration, not having to replace those worthless sealed bearing packs at a couple hundred dollars each and having something super duper reliable would be a factor too... it is a personal choice basically how important these factors are to you...

 

[rmcnamee]

There are many benefits to a fixed spindle/hub design over the sealed unit bearings, which include:



1. Super strong design

2. Reduced front driveline vibration

3. Reduced front u-joint wear

4. Ability to use 2Low

5. Increased fuel economy (not a great deal, certainly not enough to offset cost, but still an added plus)

6. Reduced front driveline wear & tear (ring & pinion gears, bearing, seals, etc. )



If you base your decision solely on potential "fuel savings", you're sure to be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, you will see a slight increase in MPG, but the "savings" will never offset the cost of the kit.



For me, I honesty could care less about the "benefits". I want this kit because I like having lock-out hubs... . period.



Ryan

 

[Matt400]

I don't have the driveline vib but might like 2wd low, just not sure I would like it that much.

 

[Ereynolds72]

So is dynatrac the only company offering these kits? I can't believe it's all that expensive. I'm very interested in this but I'm not sure about that much money just to eliminate a vibration (in my case).



This may sound dumb but couldn't we rob parts from older generation trucks w/d60 axles? Like the spindle and axle shafts?

 

[Hercules130]

the 3rd gens don't have dana axles.

 

[Scrappy]

the 1st gens that had manual hubs have the differential offset to the other side and have kingpin knuckles instead of balljoints.

 

[MCondit]

Will these hubs fit on a 2002 3500? If so, I am very interested.

 

[randyn]

Info & Update:



The $1795 retail price is for the kit. The installed price of $1795 was for the test trucks only.



There will be a discount Group Buy price.



This kit & the Group Buy is for 2003 up trucks which have the AAM axles (which as I understand is the spun off GM Corporate 14 bolt company).



I think Dynatrac has a kit for some of the older trucks, but I'm not sure which models.



This deal is comming together!



RandN

 

[Matt400]

Any pics yet of the hub and or parts kit?

Curious if the hub is a 1/4, 1/2 or more turn for engagement.

Would be interesting to know how far out they protrude and how they will look with aftermarket wheels.

 

[Tony T.]

Sure hope there not the "automatics" I found out years ago on a Chevy Blazer how good they work. Bailed into a mud hole to pull out my brother-in-law and they would not engage. Like to got stuck myself. Buddy of mine told me first thing after I bought the Blazer to get rid of those automatic hubs. Next day purchased a new set of Warns an every thing was fine from then on out.



Tony

 

[EBottema]

do you know if the 2nd gen hubs will be included in the group buy? Please ask for us 2nd genners out there!

 

[robert4570]

The other , though very involved way to have hubs.

Ford HP Dana 60 Swap into Dodge Ram



http://pavementsucks.com/tech/dana60swap.php

 

[randyn]

Update!



This is one update I'm really glad to post. This deal is on! We are waiting for final approval of the group buy discount, and shipping target dates. The retail price for the kit (not installed) will be $1795. The proposed discount is reasonable in my opinion. If approved, it will be better the more participants we have. The target shipping time frame is six weeks to two months. That will probably also be affected by how many orders we get together.

Steve Marrone at Dynatrac is our contact. I will have to post their phone number from work, I don't have it here at home. If you talk to him, be sure and mention the TDR group buy.

He has requested that I get a list together of people & phone numbers that are interested. This will be a "contingent upon price list". So, if you think you would be interested in this kit, please PM me your name and phone number. I expect to have final approval within two weeks and will be able to post the discount price and shipping info at that time. Then the updated participant list (those interested at the the discount price) will be sent to Steve for those who will get the discount price.

I have some old PM to delete from my folder, so be patient if you have a little trouble sending them to me. I will try to download names & numbers & free up my PM folder as often as I can, but I also have to take care of my business. Sometimes I don't get to check my computer for a few days.



RandyN