Is there a source for manual locking hubs for the 03 4x4? I understand that the front diff is always turning whether or not you are in 4 wheel drive, is this correct?

 

Yes. Your front axle is always turning. It does not however always spin your front driveshaft. You can switch to manual hubs to stop this but manual hubs are not as strong as the slip-colar set up on your truck. No one has ever had any problems with their Dodge truck and the front axle always spinning that I know of. I see where concern would be but it's nothing in my opinion. I like the slip-colar design a lot better than manuals. I just don't like the vacuum motors that operate them. That's why I'd switch it to a cable operated slip-colar. Up to you really.

 

The 03's (and late '02's) do not have a slip collar - everything is solid and always turning (including the driveshaft). Engaging 4x4 just connects the front driveshaft to power. <br><br>Making hubs will be difficult due to the unitized bearing setup on the dodges. Hubs are the one thing I would like to have off of a Ford . <br><br>Mathew

 

[quote author=Mathew link=board=7;threadid=15183;start=0#142625 date=1054065445]<br>The 03's (and late '02's) do not have a slip collar - everything is solid and always turning (including the driveshaft). Engaging 4x4 just connects the front driveshaft to power. <br><br>Making hubs will be difficult due to the unitized bearing setup on the dodges. Hubs are the one thing I would like to have off of a Ford . <br><br>Mathew <br>[/quote]<br><br>Right.<br>Late 02's and current '03's do not have the CAD (central axle disconnect) found in earlier Dodge 4x4's.<br><br>Apparantly it's not as simple as putting locking hubs on.<br><br>Here's a link to a company that makes a system for the Dana axles, not sure if they make one for the American axled '03's yet.<br> http://www.rightgear.com/welcome.htm<br><br>Kit is $1250.00 <br>They don't have a lot of info on the site, but another member called and talked to them. Takes about 4 hours to install by a driveline/axle shop. It also messes up the ABS system. ???<br><br><br>phox<br>

 

My bad. I don't know anything about the newest Dodges... just the ones with the right number of valves... *cough*12*cough*

 

[quote author=Superduty12v link=board=7;threadid=15183;start=0#143018 date=1054135732]<br>My bad. I don't know anything about the newest Dodges... just the ones with the right number of valves... *cough*12*cough*<br>[/quote]<br> ;D<br>DM01

 

I've seen the kits for newer Jeeps, and they include new hubs and outer shafts to get rid of the unitized bearing, making the setup like the old style with two regular bearings. I can't remeber the price, but it was pretty high, and that was parts for a dana 30. I'm sure the price would be double for replacing the parts for a dana 60. Never seen a kit for the dana 60 though.