Are the factory manual hubs on the front axle adequate or do you guys recomend upgrading to after-market. ie Warn. ?

 

I will say that the factory manual lockouts, on the son's truck, are sure different than anything I had ever messed with before.

To my way of thinking, it would be pretty easy for the front axles to dis-engage themselves, if the going got a little rough.

Their function is completely opposite to the tried and true Spicer hubs on my half-a-million-mile 1978 K-20 Chevy.

With the Spicers, actuating the hub-handle UN-locks the axle from the hub; remove the locker and the hub locks itself.

On the Dodge, actuating the hub-handle LOCKs the axle to the hub; without the locker, the hub just free-wheels.

It may be bull-stout; but, it is sort of a flimsy looking set-up, to me.

 

remember that you are dealing with a Dana 60.

 

I am pretty sure the factory hubs are made by Warn. I just put a new set of Warns on my truck for cosmetic reasons and they are identical to the factory ones I took off. If I were to do it all over again I would have bought the Warn premium hubs instead.

 

i've beaten my driver's side hub when I replaced the u-joint... Still works great for me. I even have holes in it for the H2O to go in

 

Mine has a warn on one side & a MOPAR on the other . . look same to me.
Spare warn is on the shelf as a spare part. ;-)

 

So, there are no problems with OE units? They don't disengage in reverse, or break when you're wheeling (within reason), Is there a better upgrade? If so, where do I go? Are the factory's water tight?

 

Just saw this thread. My truck has aquired many off road miles in all conditions. No issues with the hubs.

 

That's good to hear . . mine is pretty much an "Asphalt Queen"

 

I go out wheeling alot and no matter how strong or water proof you should remove and inspect and lube anyway after wheeling. Last time out i lost my brakes. I had to flatten my left rear brake line to gain brake to make it home. Preventitive maintanence is key!!!

 

you cant compare them to a dodge bearkiller