2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

4X4 actuator cable

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 10-02-2013, 09:54 AM
gertie240's Avatar
gertie240
gertie240 is offline
Captain
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio,Texas
Posts: 556
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default 4X4 actuator cable

Does someone know the name of the company or maybe have a link ,that sells a kit to change the OEM actuator from vacuum to a cable?
Thanks
 
  #2  
Old 10-02-2013, 10:22 AM
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
HeyYou is offline
Administrator
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton MI
Posts: 82,549
Likes: 0
Received 3,393 Likes on 3,133 Posts
Default

Posi-Lok. Sold on many sites. Jegs, Summit, etc. There are others out there that make them as well, some cheaper.....
 
  #3  
Old 10-02-2013, 12:06 PM
gertie240's Avatar
gertie240
gertie240 is offline
Captain
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio,Texas
Posts: 556
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by HeyYou
Posi-Lok. Sold on many sites. Jegs, Summit, etc. There are others out there that make them as well, some cheaper.....
Thanks Heyyou, cheaper in my opinion is not ever better. Have you put one on?
 
  #4  
Old 10-02-2013, 01:40 PM
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
HeyYou is offline
Administrator
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton MI
Posts: 82,549
Likes: 0
Received 3,393 Likes on 3,133 Posts
Default

My vacuum system works fine, so, I haven't worried about it as yet. I see something along these lines in the future though. I have other issues that take priority though.
 
  #5  
Old 10-02-2013, 08:57 PM
dhvaughan's Avatar
dhvaughan
dhvaughan is offline
Hall Of Fame
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Gainesville, Ga.
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

there are 2 brands. the original Posilok and the Alloy version. The Posilok has gotten pretty expensive and the Alloy looks exactly like it for a good bit less. shop around, Amazon had the Posilok cheap about a year ago and you might turn up a good deal on either one.


amazon posilok PSL400 for $126 with no tax and free shipping. you won't beat that.
Posi-Lok PSL400 4x4 Posi-Lok : Amazon.com : Automotive Posi-Lok PSL400 4x4 Posi-Lok : Amazon.com : Automotive

Alloy USA 450400 Differential Cable Lock Disconnect Kit
google it.
 
  #6  
Old 10-03-2013, 01:23 PM
gertie240's Avatar
gertie240
gertie240 is offline
Captain
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio,Texas
Posts: 556
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

That is a pretty good price. How is yours handling? Things you would do different. I saw one on ebay that didn't have the cable.
 
  #7  
Old 10-03-2013, 09:33 PM
dhvaughan's Avatar
dhvaughan
dhvaughan is offline
Hall Of Fame
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Gainesville, Ga.
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

i've got the Posilok brand because that was what was available at the time. I paid about $130-150 or so. I love it for the ability to use 2wd low range and have good steering instead of fighting the 4wd.

and when i do want 4wd, I really like the feel of pulling on the cable and knowing that it locks the axle instead of wondering if the vacuum cad is going to work or not. mine didn't want to work about half the time because of rough burrs at the axle ends causing too tight of a fit at the collar. I didn't find that until later.

use plenty of big cable ties to tie it off. i screwed up and let mine fall down onto the exhaust manifold and had to remove it to fix the melted plastic that seized up the cable.

the one w/o the cable is a full time axle lock. that'll cost you another 1-2 mpg and our trucks have none to give away.
 

Last edited by dhvaughan; 10-03-2013 at 09:35 PM.
  #8  
Old 10-03-2013, 10:08 PM
Thornloe Pride's Avatar
Thornloe Pride
Thornloe Pride is offline
Captain
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northern Ontario
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I bought my posi lok actuator cable through summit racing. One of the best mods I've done. Definitely worth the money.
 
  #9  
Old 10-04-2013, 10:26 AM
gertie240's Avatar
gertie240
gertie240 is offline
Captain
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio,Texas
Posts: 556
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

the one w/o the cable is a full time axle lock. that'll cost you another 1-2 mpg and our trucks have none to give away.
__________________

That is soo true, Thanks for the responses. Learning from other peoples' mistakes is cheaper than learning from my own.
 
  #10  
Old 10-04-2013, 01:17 PM
armynurse's Avatar
armynurse
armynurse is offline
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Longview, WA
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Jeep YJs had the two-piece axles up front (just like our Ram trucks - I've got a 96 1500). In 97 with the introduction of the Jeep TJ they went to a one piece axle. You'd think with all the emphasis on MPG if the two piece axle made a difference they would have carried it over.

I've got the posi-lock fixed model sitting at home waiting to be installed. I don't want to have to think about cables or vacuum lines when I need the front axle engaged.
 


Quick Reply: 4X4 actuator cable



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:45 PM.