Well I jumped into it a couple of weeks ago and put an EMS hub conversion on the truck Wasn't as easy to install as they let on but not terrible either. Did the hubs, a double deep tranny pan plus amsoil in both diffs at the same time so will see how things go from here on. Not a massive difference with the hubs. Maybe a little on the handling and a tad on the mpg's, some where around 1 to 1.5 mpg added so far but no a lot of miles to rely on.

Anyway, just letting the masses know! Have a great New Year!

 

dwiningernm where you located?

 

I have been wanting to do that, is it worth it

 

a guy here in Albuquerque with an 06 mega (on 37's and did a long bed conversion) is claiming nearly 3mpg gain. I am interested as well.

 

I installed my EMS kit about two weeks ago. I haven't seen a huge difference in mileage but I have not drove that much either. I already get 21 MPG on the interstate. My truck does drive noticeably better. I didn't realize how much I was feeling from axles and driveshaft in the steering until I put the hubs in. That alone was worth the cost. EMS was awesome to deal with. The install was s not too bad. The hardest part is getting the old hubs out. Snap On makes a tool that makes it a lot easier. You also must press in the new wheel studs.

 

I know of a few guys the have done it and say it is worth it, I will try to get it done some time in the future. It just makes sence

 

Solid Axle is another choice for the hubs.. I went with them as they come completely assembled. No pressing studs or bearings for the 1st go around.

I had a local shop install mine as I tried to remove the stock hubs and was afraid of damaging something..

Zach.. I agree with you that the feel in the steering is so different. Smooth compared to before doing the hubs. It has to help on the steering parts over time also.

 

so how much is this dang thing????
mopar makes it
cummins shakes it

 

I purchased the heavy duty kit from EMS Offroad. It was $1610 shipped.

 

$1600 seems to be the standard price for them all, you just have to shop different vendors

 

I purchased the Solid Axle ones several months ago. It looks like a great kit, but I'm not gonna be able to put it on until mid-March. Can't wait though.

 

It might be worth the extra money to get the kit already assembled but EMS is really great to work with. The ABS brake attachment had to be modified as well but it didn't turn out to be a major ordeal. I did ball joints and u-joints at the same time and the upper ball joints were already a little loose. Sure wasn't impressed by that. I will say this, those hubs sure stick out a long way!

I keep pretty good records on everything done to the truck so will be able to have a good idea on mpg's shortly. I figure it's a pretty good chunk of money to do this but I have the intention of keeping this truck until it's time to push it into a ditch and leave it so might as well do what I can to keep it up and going as well as possible.

This also will let me go bigger on tires so anybody got any suggestions as to a pretty good 35? I'm running the Toyo AT's right now but would really like more of an offroad tire although most of my driving is not offroad. Just like the looks and the potential they offer.

I'm in Albuquerque right now but am from the southern part of NM originally. Country boy stuck in the city just doesn't work all the time!

 

While you are in there you might as well do the axle shaft U joints too. And, of course the ball joints. Oh, and the '08 steering linkage, and the track bar bushings if you really want to be thorough, but those can be done at a different time.

I saw no increase in mileage with mine. In theory there should be some, but it's not an abvious amount and that is definately not the reason to do the conversion. Do it for reliability and serviceability. My U joints and ball joints were shot.

No way will you see 3 MPG

 

i remove the front driveshaft every summer,mostly to use low range for backing up the 5er,i dont notice any mpgs but it does seems smoother,i think i have a ujoint isue in the double joint thingy,i replaced the torx bolts with a good grade hex bolt so thier easier to remove,i do like it without the shaft on,seems quiter too

 

I saw "about" 10% coming back from the southern part of the state pulling my utility trailer and with a lot of head wind. So far just in town, not anything to report on but haven't gotten through a full tank yet. I would agree with those who say it's worth the peace of mind and the reliability increase. I believe the mpg's will be a little but they really are the icing on the cake. All it takes is being let down one time with the factory sealed unit and these will have paid for themselves. Besides, I feel a lot more comfortable about going to larger tires if I want to now.

My entire unit with ball joints and u joints was about 1900 shipped. Install was a little less than 500 and after listening to the guys who put it in I wouldn't have wanted to try it up on jack stands in somebody's garage one weekend. Course I'm not the mechanic guru that some of you guys are and don't have a full garage of tools either.

I will say this, Tom at EMS is a really good guy to do business with and I would suggest talking with him if you have any questions. He claims 2-4 mpg's from their customers who have installed the kit and haven't done a bunch of mods that impact the mpg's. Be ready to wait for it for a while so if you really want one, get on his list ASAP. They had a vendor issue and it took a few months for mine to come in.