Has anyone found a mfg that makes lockout hubs for the 9.25" fron axles on our trucks?

Warn and Superwinch does not, I haven't been able to check with other mfgs. The dealer just scratches their heads.... DC doesn't put them on any trucks.

 

This would be a pretty extensive conversion since the hubs are permanently locked on the 3rd gen trucks. They are connected directly to the axle via u-joints. There would be quite a few parts that would have to be replaced to make this conversion possible. Not to mention, the front driveshaft is permanently locked too. There is no vacuum disconnect like the 2nd gens.

 

Did they really downgrade the axle to a 9.25" ring gear on the 3RD gen. trucks??

 

The 4x4 3rd gens have a 9.25" unit manufactured by American Axle up front. The rear axle is a 10.5" or 11.5" depending on the configuration.

 

I was under the front of mine poking around and it looked like a dana 60 style setup. I haven't pulled the hub cap off yet, so I assumed it was a standard stub shaft axle with a locking ring circlipped on. Man that sucks.... I'm going to have to look at it now just to satisfy my curiosity. I build axles for wheeling, so I'm pretty familiar with the NORMAL stuff Why do mfgs have to do dumb stuff like this?
So, if the front driveline is locked in, then why do they bother putting the 2wd marks on the shifter? I suspect a lot of the 70 mph vibrations are coming from this little stunt.
arrrrggghhhh.

 

I was surprised at first too when I yanked the front wheels off. I guess DC wanted to make a more robust design that wouldn't fail under the 7/70 powertrain warranty. Although there are less parts to fail, there is the side effect of the constantly spinning drivetrain and most likely some vibration.

On the other hand I like being able to pop it into 4wd and have instant engagement. What these trucks really need are a nice center locking diff.

 

Dodge just came out with a 2500 Off Road truck with I believe electric locking diff's both front and rear! It's on the Dodge web site. One drawback-only one engine choice, the Hemi.

 

I've heard that Dynatrac is working on a part-time 4WD kit for these trucks. They made one for the 2nd Gens.

 

That would be great.
They need them. I can't believe how much wear this is causing for no good reason. Is is something to do with the ABS systems I wonder?

Hummm, I wonder if ARB will come out with a locker for these.......

On that note, my rear diff is open. I want a limited slip back there, does anyone make a drop in? I assume it's a split carrier. But then my assumptions have been wronge in the past. I wish they would have just stuck a Dana 60 up front and a 70 in rear and forgot it......
Oh well, still like the truck.

 

I read a post on another site (TDR?) that talked about someone developing lock-outs for the front of the 3rd Gen Ram. Try a search there.

Good luck,

Bud

 

I guess I'm pretty confused by this discussion.......

First off, AWD vehicles have the front axle spin all the time, and every truck on the road has the rear axle spin all the time, so who cares abotu a the fornt sinnign unloaded? Its not goign to wear out quicker then the rear.

Second:
It is in 2wd when the shifter is in 2wd. There is 0 power being transferred to the front axle, the front axle is spinnign the drivehsaft, nto the t'case.

Third:
The 9.25" is high pinion set-up compared to the 9.75" low pinion used in 2nd gen. In front axle config, a high pinion is 10-20% stronger, makign up for the difference in size.

Fourth -- unless you are running a front autolocker, why would you want manual hubs? You will never recoup the $1500 to $3500 that the Dynatrac kit will cost. (Thats how much the 2nd gen kits cost depending on options) (btw, the ends of the axles have a large retaining nut simialr to '94-'01 Dodges and Chevy IFS)

fifth -- ARB should alreayd have a locker available for these, its very similar to their 9.25" IFS locker which fits GM 3/4 and 1 tons and H2s.

Sixth: Power wagon is interesting but 33" tires? the Nissans come with 33"s, I would have expected at least 35"s like the H2.

 

What makes the high pinion stronger? The height of where the pinion intesects with the ring gear? I don't know but I doubt it very much, the strength comes from the size of the gears.

 

I can help clarify some things.

The front axle may not have "power" to it till the shifter hits 4x mode, BUT there is constant drag and the movement causes wear on the components. You take an axle that should otherwise have very little wear on it and begin wearing it out for no good reason. The loss of drag will also help gas milage as well. In the case of the Gen 3s that have 70 mph vibes, it may remove the problem. Look at all of the guys that have pulled their front drive lines and alleviated the problem.

As far as the High Pinion being stronger. That depends on how you look at it. The high pinion axles typically have a reverse cut gear setup. If it's not reverse cut, then you are allpying all of the pressure to the back side of the gears and that is very bad, talk about weak. The hp setup means they actually can be damaged by low gear oil situations. They rely on the ring gear to throw more oil up to the pinion. The 1/2" smaller diamiter on the ring gear means less strength too. The advantage to the HP setup is that they offer more ground clearance and lower the drive shaft angle. This really just helps if you drive over stuff and lessens the wear on the U-joints. We use the HP setups in the hard core wheeling world because of the extra ground clearance they offer. You can use a hp Dana 60 and have as much room as a smaller axle would for clearance.

In the case of the Dynatrack prices, it's not really worth doing the conversion.

Ummm, what's with the power wagon thing and 33" tires?????? You shouldn't watch TV and type at the same time.......

Greg

 

I'm all for manual hubs too. esp. since at 68,000 miles the only original u-joints in the truck are in the front driveshaft. both front axle joints are getting replaced wed.
The service manager almost laughed at me when I said they needed to offer manual hubs again.

Things to change on the HD

greasable u-joints
greasable ball joints
DANA AXLES
manual hubs
offer front and rear electric lockers like the Rubi

 

Bob_obx,

Look at the 2005 "OFF ROAD" model, electric locking diff's both front and rear!! One little problem---only with the Hemi!