Please forgive my lack of mechanical intelligence but ive got a 2004.5 Ram 2500CTD and it has a live front axle. It also has the 48re auto tranny. My question is do they make a conversion kit to change to manual hubs and if so what are some good ones and how difficult of a mod is it to do? Ive also got a small fluid leak around the chunk where the drive shaft enters. If anyone has any experience with this good or bad please let me know. And again forgive my lack of mechanical knowledge im still learning these dodge trucks!
Thanks in advance for any info!

 

http://www.dynatrac.com/

http://www.emsoffroad.com/EMS_New/home.htm

http://www.solidaxle.com/


took me and a buddy about 8 hours to install-but we also replaced my whole entire front end at the same time.

 

Have you run with the hubs long enough to tell what kind of mileage improvement you're getting? Is that manual locking only or is there an automatic/locking option?

 

I'm getting about a 1.6mpg gain with the free spin kit

 

I'm running the EMS kit. These kits are not something I would recommend the new mechanic tackle on his own. I had to use a 20 ton press to get the wheel studs in, you have to press in the bearing races too. You also might have difficulty with the removal of the original bearings. I had to modify my stub axles in order to fit them through the steering knuckle. Because mine was so much work, I would suggest you go with one of the other kits that have a lot of the work done for you. The Solid Axle kit is the best in my opinion. They assemble most of it for you. It will set you back almost $2 G's, but worth it.

 

locking hubs have been on for 8 months. gained 1.5mpg

 

the dynatrac kit came mostly assembled. the bearings were already in and the tone ring was already pressed on. I did have to drive the studs in. PS save yourself some headache and dont bother taking the big nut and spindle off just remove the whole thing as a unit, axle and all.

 

Thanks so much guys. Been a member a few weeks now and this is my first post! A great site with a wealth of pro help and endless info!!!
Thanks,
Greene 728

 

BTW, "live axle" has nothing to do with the presence or absence of locking hubs. It just means that the differential and axles are all mounted together in one rigid assembly that moves as a unit.

The opposite is independent front or rear suspension, where the differential is fixed to the chassis, and each axle connects to the wheel hub through some form of universal joint(s).

 

So am I correct in assuming there are no Automatic locking hub options out there to use with the axle kits? Manual locking only?