How much of a MPG penalty is their on he Gen3 trucks because of their inability to unlock the front axles? What is the MPG differance between 4X4 & 4X2 ?

I read somewhere on this forum that it costs $3000 to convert to locking hubs. Why so much? Would'nt it be as simple as getting a new spindle assemly?

No one probably knows the exact amount, from truck to truck there seems to more variance than what is likely to be cause by the additional drag. Myself, I would question the logic of paying $2K - $3K and going the aggrevation of installation to add two new weak points in the drivetrain that might offer 0.5 mpg improvement. I will gladly sacrifice that for an always ready, always lubed, bulletproof proven design.

Why would a conversion be so much? Simple, no one makes the necessary parts to do it yet and getting them to develop and produce the kits in such small numbers means eating the development and small run production cost across very few sales. :D

Originally posted by Berak
Myself, I would question the logic of paying $2K - $3K and going the aggrevation of installation to add two new weak points in the drivetrain

Why would a conversion be so much? Simple, no one makes the necessary parts to do it yet and getting them to develop and produce the kits in such small numbers means eating the development and small run production cost across very few sales. :D

I'm talking about a conversion to manual hubs - well proven, and do not introduce 'weak points'.

As far as 'development' - it cannot be that extensve of a job. Even if the replacement spindle has to be reverse engineered, it cannot take more than a couple of days of effort. Not many units would have to sell to amortise that. The only other part is the fron drive axle itself - it probably is not machined to accept a bearing - may require a new axle.

A couple of days!! LOL. I don't think so. Give Dynatrac a call and see where they are in the effort, they are the ones who were proposing to do it. Make sure to mention to them it should only be a few days effort. [laugh] [laugh]

Oh, and as far as manual hubs go, they are replaced all the time as they often grenade when pushed hard, therefore they are certainly weak points.