hey guys is it possible or has anyone tried to change the front hubs to manual to get rid of the vaccum assembly we have? if so what all is involved?
thanks, gunnie

 

Sorry I am not answering your ? but would like to know why you'd want to do that in the first place? Is there a problem with the axle disconnect?
-P

 

There are some members that do this to remove one more component in the loop. So that there is a less likely hood for this to fail. As a matter of fact, I brought my 01 into shop for this particular vacuum hose "disconnecting" somehow. It was never explained to me thoroughly by service writer. He sorta just glazed over it...didn't want to get into too much detail.

 

no problem with the vacuum system right now but i always thought this was a place for improvement, i don't mind manual locking hubs. is there a tech article or anyone have suggestions?
thanks

 

i recenlty read a thread regarding this(within a couple of days ago). I think I saw it on the 1st gen. heading.

 

Check out Dynatrac.

 

Dynatrac and EMS Offroad both offer kits for this. I believe the EMS kit is cheaper. A few years ago, some guys were using front axles from Super Duty Fords(whatever years still had manual hubs). I don't know what all is involved for a swap like that though. One of the above mentioned kits would be the way to go, IMO. Although I believe I'd wait until my unit-bearings wore out before I would do it. That'd be the only way I could justify the cost. HTH

 

i have seen it done and they say it is alot smoother ride

 

http://www.emsoffroad.com/index1.htm here's the link to the site take a look, on top of a better ride. you will get better fuel milage, because there is less mass spining. also it adds servicable bearing to the unit. I like the fact they use simple bearings that have been tryed and proven for years. backed up by a set of warn manual hubs. I will be adding them when my bearings go out, they also make it easyer to Run a Locker up front..

 

After pricing all the brake parts for the front end through the dealership and NAPA there is no good reason not to do the manual hubs (through EMS, Dynatrac is much more). I do enjoy just pulling the transfer case shifter and driving away but at something like $250+ a side for the unit bearings I'll get out and lock the hubs.

For another $265 you can get a 1 piece inner axle kit and delete the CAD system.

 

the only problem I see with this over a whole axel swap besides price and amount of extra work involved is your still using a lesser splined axel, the cad housing is still in the axel makeing it weaker and the breaks still stink. Also do either of these units take an off the shelf break rotor? wish I never put my air locker in or id swap front ends. at this point though that ems kit looks nice.

 

All the brake parts and everything stay the same right? Or is there a change?

 

On the extreme 4x4 surbian gorilla they took a 2000 or 99 3/4 ton dana 60 had the passenger side axel tube replaced with a solid unit, replaced the unibearings with the old style tapered ones that has one on the outside and one in the middle and put manual locking hubs on it. They didnt say what it cost though.

 

something I might look into there. But it sounds allready like it will cost more then getting a good used ford axel from some place and having the spring cups and all welded on.

 

That hub swab sounds like what the 3rd genners should be looking at. Every thing turning all the time !