2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission upgrade from auto lock hubs to manual

[SRehberg]

Good information, it makes the search for the parts a lot easier. At the moment I'll be staying with the stock setup, but I'm not crazy about the bearing assembly.



thanks

 

[steved]

As long as you keep these trucks out of mud and water, the bearing packs will go well over 200k. I had only one replacement on my 99 at 169k, the other was still ok at 201k... my dad is at 222k on his original bearings... both are still tight. The only reason I don't like them is there is no way to stop the front axles/driveshaft from turning in the newer rams.



steved

 

[SRehberg]

I thought the samething, i. e. the driveshaft/axles all were moving. To me that made me think even parts in the transfer case were turning over. I had it pointed out to me that only the spider gears on the end of the axles in the diff were the only things turning over. Not even the ring/pinion were moving or if so, very slightly. Supposedly the ring/pinion preload was enough resistance to keep them from revolving. With the axle disconnect, it allows the spiders to rotate w/o affecting the ring/pinion, thereby not rotating near as much mass (parts) as I had originally thought. In that case the mileage/wear issues are really of no importance. This is for the ones with the disconnects, the newer ones without will have it all turning. I would think locking hubs would be beneficial.

 

[steved]

Agreed... the newer rams will benefit the most from the dynatrac kit.



The spiders,gears, and bearings in the front of my dad's 99 still look like new (had them out about two weeks ago for seal replacement), even with 220k on them.



I should have been more specific when I stated "newer ram"... I should have said 2001+ 2500s and 2003+ 3500 SRWs (there is no dually kit as of yet).



I am waiting for the next "group buy" on the hub kit myself... so I'll be watching this thread.



steved

 

[SRehberg]

I know what you mean, it gets pretty pricey otherwise. Thanks for the great information.

 

[Kwoolley]

Enlighten a new member on the "group buy" concept and what I should be looking for. I really want lockouts and 35 spline axles, but don't want to flatten out my wallet that thin. 1/2 of what they are asking seems about right to me. Gotta pay for R & D I suppose.

 

[steved]

Enlighten a new member on the "group buy" concept and what I should be looking for. I really want lockouts and 35 spline axles, but don't want to flatten out my wallet that thin. 1/2 of what they are asking seems about right to me. Gotta pay for R & D I suppose.

If we get a bunch of members together for a purchase, the dealer will usually cut a deal for volume buying... the last dynatrac group buy was $1560... down slightly from $1795.



steved

 

[pwerwagn]

that price was not with the 35spline inner shafts..... just the stubs and the bearing assy.

 

[steved]

that price was not with the 35spline inner shafts..... just the stubs and the bearing assy.

Again, I am referring to the 3rd gens, there are no 35 spline inner upgrades available. That price did include 35 spline outers for the 3rd gens (that is the only kit they offer at this time).



steved

 

[RAndrae]

Mpg

well I have been watching my mileage for a few weeks now, I am getting a good solid 2. 5- 3 MPG increase with the Dyna trac hub kit I installed. I have a 02 with no axel dissconnect. Just for info

 

[steved]

That has to be pretty awesome of an increase, especially with fuel prices today.



I can't complain too much... 19. 5mpg with light towing...



steved

 

[cap-n-cray]

RAndrae,



What did the set up cost you? Did you install them yourself and how much work was it?



Cary

 

[RAndrae]

I posted on the other forum regarding the time it took me and now I cant remember, seems to me it was about a half day including a trip to the parts house getting the correct socket and lunch/ beer break. Easy install for me, If you can get the axels out and change U joints its a easy install. c$st was the group buy of about 17 to my door... .

 

[cromptrj]

Yes, I know of several people who have done this... I'm not 100% sure of the particulars (exact years, makes, models, or the conversion)... but IIRC, early/mid 90s F350s with the D60F balljoint front axle (SRW) are the parts source (the later models have unit bearings, so make sure of what you are getting)... then everything from the knuckle out is swapped including the stub shaft... keep in mind that if you have four wheel ABS, there is no provision for the front ABS sensors.



I believe you can find everything you need to know at PavementSucks.com ... just search that site a little bit.



steved

Thanks guys but before i get too excited I have a 1997 2500 4x4 ctd . . A mid 90s ford F350 D60 will work on my truck that is all the rolling parts and axle shafts ?? Sorry i just want to know all the stuff before i go digging for a ford front axle ?///

 

[JHerrlich]

that price was not with the 35spline inner shafts..... just the stubs and the bearing assy.

The kit with the axle shafts adds about $1000. Once you're there, you might as well spend the extra $300 and get the 35 spline outer shafts and the 35 spline Warn locking hubs...



I broke something in my front axle and am probably going to try and save up for this kit to repair/upgrade it. Maybe I won't break it then...

 

[steved]

But that kit isn't available for the 3rd gen 9. 25s... you can only get 35-spline stubs for the 9. 25AAM.



steved

 

[JGheen]

Steve, do you know if anything in the carrier needs to be changed to run the 35 spline inners? I am just going to go ahead and get the stage 2 kit that adds the inner shafts to the main kit when we do our group buy, but I read somewhere that the spline pitch is 1. 5" so that tells me that the 35 spline inners should just slide right in so I can junk the CAD axles.



Joe

 

[steved]

If you are speaking of the Dana 60, then you would need to change the carrier side gears (easy), and the axleshaft seals (for the bigger diameter axles... a little tougher).



You will be upgrading from something like 1. 33" to 1. 5"... not too shabby. And just FYI, this is only for the D60s... there is no inner upgrade for the 9. 25AAMs.



steved

 

[pwerwagn]

To elaborate on what steve has said, here is a little more info.

I helped a guy convert his 02 front axle to 35 spline inners (the axle wasnt in a 2nd gen anymore, he had it in a 68 dodge... . he thought it was a REAL D-60 ).

Basically, I took the side gears out of a D-60 open carrier I had lying in the shop. He had purchased the seals from dynatrac.

For some reason, the seals were alittle tricky to install in the housing. the seal physically looked perfect, but it was a bear to get in. Well,,,,,after further investigation, the inside of his housing had been painted for some reason. after I took some scotchbrite and cleaned the paint off, it went in as any other seal does.

Personally, while you have the diff out and you're converting to 35spline stuff anyway, you might as well put a TAD in there. At least a Power lock or something (power locks are strong... they have the 4 spider design with 2 cross shafts... ).

--Jeff

 

[JHansen]

Happened to come across this thread using the search function tonight-Jeff, I have a question for you. Were the 35 spline inners you installed from a Dynatrac kit or sourced out the old-fashioned way with a tape measure and lots of searching? Would like to upgrade my truck to use a 35 spline Power-Lok I have sitting around and get rid of the CAD at the same time.



Thanks

Jason