Vacuum Kit for Front Axle

[MAleshire]

In doing a search in the archives I noticed that a TDR member produces a kit that allows the use of low range without locking in the front hubs on a 4x4. I'd like to do this to be able to back up a heavy RV without toasting up the transmission fluid temperature. I'm also wondering if some sort of valve, controlled from the cab, could be inserted in the vacuum lines between the front axle and the transfer case. The valve would disrupt the vacuum and would prevent 4x4 lockup. Could this cause any damage? Any info about the kit, how to contact the TDR member, and how to make a homemade setup would be helpful.



Thanks, Skip

 

[Bill Stockard]

The kit is available from Geno's Garage.



BD 2-LOW KIT (94-01) DODGE-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage



Bill

 

[BDaugherty]

The TDR member you speak of recently told me that he wasn't making the kits anymore.



Pacbrake makes a kit that is cheaper than the BD kit, but does the same thing.



http://www.pacbrake.com/uploads/Vehicle Accessories 2009_rev5_2009.pdf

OR

C18056 PacBrake 4WD 2 Wheel Low Kit Dodge Cummins | OCDiesel.com

 

[MAleshire]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to look into both the BD and the PacBrake kits. They both look like they have essentially the same parts. I need to figure out if someone like me, with mediocre mechanical ability, can easily install these kits. Looks like maybe I can.



Skip

 

[EricBu12]

This is the old kit that is not made anymore. .

The kit is easy to do, just snip and reroute some vacuum lines and mount to your stick.

#ad


#ad


here is the plug with the vacuum hoses on the transfer case. . just get the right hoses on the right part of the valve and it works like a charm

#ad

 

[Dan_69GTX]

You can also easily make your own kit by using a vacuum valve from any older honda or toyota car/truck. Get the valve from a yard for 5 buck, switch and fuse for about 5 bucks, about 2 bucks for vacuum line, a few bucks for wire (or use some from the car you took the valve from) and your done. All you have to do is interrupt the vacuum from getting to the valve to change the position of the vacuum motor. It's not hard to do.

 

[Allnew2Me]

I have BobV's kit and it is made up of parts from Minimatic, including a 4-way valve, a vacuum switch and the tubing and fittings. If he no longer has these available you might ask him for a parts list so that you can make your own to his design.

The one thing you should be aware of in making your own is that it is not enough just to interupt the vacuum to the disconnect. You don't want to leave the CAD disconnected without vacuum on the other side to hold it there or it could slip back on while driving. That is the nice thing about BobV's kit, it applies vacuum to the off side so that you don't have to worry about that happening. I would hope the other kits do this also.

 

[MAleshire]

What you are mentioning about not leaving the CAD disconnected without vacuum is exactly what my concern is about making a homemade kit without knowing what the results might. Interrupting the vacuum is not a problem, the problems that it might create I don't have a clue about. Thanks all for your input.



Skip