Ok so since I am always having trouble with the vacuum on my 4wd i have decided to go to a manual lock and do away with the ****ty vacuum system. That said i was thinking about going with part #1100 in the link below. With this, my understanding is that to go from 2wd to 4hi or 4low all i have to do is lock it in the transfer case in the floor board right? Someone correct me if i am wrong? Thanks!

http://www.4x4posi-lok.com/app_dodge.html

 

that is correct.
that part replaces the vacuum cad, and holds the collar in the "axle locked" position which means its "ready" for the t-case to select 2wd or 4wd.

the only downside is that a few more parts in the front end are turning while you are in 2wd. this might cost you a smidgen of lower mpg. i don't think its any big deal.

edit - what's the price on that thing? you can get the posilok manual cable for $163
http://www.amazon.com/4x4-Posi-Lok-P...3018527&sr=1-1

 

It notes off road and vehicles not used on the street. My understanding is that both front wheels will be locked and not turn independently from each other. Will cause alot of wheel hop and breaking of wheel joints or other parts when turning.

 

Our front axles are open diffs so they won't be actually locked. Nothing wrong with your idea.

 

Why then does it state for vehicles that NEVER see the road? Also, why will the front end hop when in 4wd, even with an open diff.? 4wd has to do with the transfer case, not the front end. When the CAD locks the left axle in it'll bind. How is this any different? Not saying your wrong. It just doesnt make sense to me. What am i misunderstanding?

 

Why then does it state for vehicles that NEVER see the road?
to avoid liability problems when people combine this with an LSD or Locker and end up in the ditch.

Also, why will the front end hop when in 4wd, even with an open diff.?
front end hops because of the driveline bind between the front axle and the rear axle. not due to the right front vs left front. front diff spider gears in the differential smooth out the rotations between RF and LF.

4wd has to do with the transfer case, not the front end. When the CAD locks the left axle in it'll bind. How is this any different? Not saying your wrong. It just doesnt make sense to me. What am i misunderstanding?
you're missing the cause of the driveline bind, which is the lack of a center differential, which is the key component of an all-wheel-drive AWD (full time) like a newer Jeep or Subaru vs a part time 4wd that's in our trucks.

 

here's some info from subaru on AWD.

http://hyperlogos.org/Automotive-Tec...ive/Subaru-AWD

 

Ok. I was thinking the binding was the left and right. Not front and rear. My bad. Guess there would be no problem with it then. You may proceed . It was my screw up.

 

lol..

 

if your truck is your dd then dont get that part. i had my vac lines rot out and the cad unit got stuck in the locked position which caused my front driveshaft to fail, see pics here. you dont want it to happen, its a horrible sound, and it will cause your whole truck to shake uncontrollably until the shaft fails.

get the part that dhvaughan linked to. its 40ish bucks cheaper and includes free shipping.