I was wondering if anyone had purchased and installed the Yukon Spin Free Locking Hub Conversion Kit for Dana 44 in their Ram 1500 truck? If so, what was you gain, if any, in fuel economy? What do you feel the pros and cons are to this kit? (Other than it costing $1,300) Thanks for your input.

 

There is one person that comes on here once in awhile that has a free-spin kit. There are some advantages to the kit as it makes the wheel bearings serviceable, old style hubs can support a bigger tire better than the hub bearing, low range in 2wd, some mpg improvement will be had how much is hard to say. There are cheaper kits out there or you can break down one of the kits parts list and try building it yourself. You could also look at Reid racing Dana 44 jeep conversion knuckles. Disadvantages are you have to get out and lock the hubs and not forget to lock the hubs before you get stuck.

http://www.emsoffroad.com/store/inde...roducts_id=262

 

Given how little of the front end parts turn in two wheel drive, I don't think you will see any improvement in mileage at all. The other advantages that Merc points out though, those ARE nice to have. 1300 dollars nice? Not for me......

 

I would agree on the not gaining too much in mpg but I do think some will be had, three shafts and the spider/side gears are being turned while driving causing drag, how much is hard to say. I would look at this as more of a get rid of the junk unit bearings, it would not take too many replacement unit bearings to add up to the cost of the kit. You can do this yourself with old school Dana 44 parts but there is drilling involved, and the kit I linked to does just that. Find the right old Dana 44, get the drill out and this can be done cheap.

 

I have a dynatrac kit. Only reason I did it was for strength in pulling. MPG gains are not much at all. In the winter I leave them locked in anyway. It will help you out on wheel bearing replacements and going to the long shaft there is no question if it will lock into 4wd or not. That's about it. Mine is also a dana 60 but its the same fundamentals.

 

Definitely don't do it for mileage. You won't see any.

I did it on my Jeep, but only because it's an offroad rig. I;ve broken a shaft, turned that hub out, got out of the rock garden, and actually drove 30 miles home. It also makes it so I don't have to worry about balancing the front shaft, and so I can make them myself.

On a street rig, even one that pokes around on the trails sometimes, not worth the cost, unless you make MUCH more money than I do.

 

Thanks for all of the input from everyone.
I guess I will stick with the factory setup for now since this is my daily driver and is about 90% street and about 10% on ranch roads in the fall and spring in pursuit of deer, feral hogs & turkeys.
Maybe I will revisit this down the road when I have a economical daily driver and the Ram can be set up for a more focused purpose.