Hey guys,

I finally finished my EMS hub conversion and passenger CAD elimination about two months ago - so far quite happy! The kit is well put together, and replaces many wear parts, or parts that aren't designed by Dodge so well. I probably didn't need to go to the extreme duty kit... but whatever. Some minor grinding was required on the outer stub shafts to get them to fit and turn at full lock without binding. This is apparently not required on the normal duty kit.

I decided to go to the kit after yet-another-u-joint-failure in the front axle, which destroyed the DS stub shaft. Especially when the Dodge dealer wanted $400 or so for a new stub, and whenever those joints fail they always rip the zerk out of the upper ball joint.. which gets kind of annoying. Everything else was in serviceable condition when removed (rotors, both unit bearings - I think one had about 60k on it, the other at least 130, 140), pass stub shaft, pass intermediate shafts, shift collar, and motor. Does anyone need any of that stuff?

I'll try to get some pics up... though since it has taken me about two months since I finished it to get to this post... we'll see how that happens.

 

Did you notice any mileage gains with it at all? I'm thinking about getting the EMS kit so I can get rid of the unit bearings, but also looking for a mileage increase. Wouldn't think there would be much with a CAD front end, but I have heard otherwise.

 

There is definitely reduced drag on the front end.

Unfortunately, I moved out of downtown at the beginning of August to the 'burbs, and with the changes in diesel fuel mixes during different seasons, I don't have enough data to conclusively say...


However, I was able to get 9.43 L /100 km over 1400 km on a camping trip through the rockies, the best fuel economy I've ever had in the truck. I drove mostly around/a bit below the speed limit. This was after the conversion - the only other thing that would affect fuel on my truck is the 4" exhaust I think.

I'm looking forward to the increased reliability, serviceability, and fuel economy. I just got tired of having a surprise to take care of right away when a u-joint fails. Those steering knuckle u-joints, in the stock set up, seem to fail all the time - and if you don't notice it AND take the time to replace it right away (very little ability to plan to do it at your leisure), you lose the stub or axle shaft, which happened last time to me.