I own 5 jeeps and have owned all types of trucks and have always had solid front axles. This is my first with a actuator on the front axle. What I am trying to figure out is why I cant simply make a solid one piece axle shaft to bypass this. Why is it required? Its not like the transfer case will be engaged in 4x4. So why do we not want these two shafts locked together? Im rather confused why its there in the first place. The only thing it controls is the front power wheel. Help me understand this and what would be the cons of removing this system. Thank You.

 

To me, there is no reason other than less wear on the diff and maybe slightly better mpg. Maybe even a convenience thing, not having to get out and lock your hubs. Idk. I guess you'd have to ask either an automotive engineer or one of their bean counters.

 

In short? Gas mileage. With the current system, not much is turning when you are moving down the road in 2wd. With a solid axle on the passenger side, everything would be turning.... which probably drops your gas mileage by .5 mpg, or less..... Plus the additional wear on the various bearings and such. (once again, not really that much of an issue.)

You can buy solid inner axles to dispose of the cad system altogether already. There are also things like posi-lok, or kits to just leave it permanently engaged, etc.

Welcome to DF!

 

Thanks guys. I think im going to just do away with the cad and lock the shafts together. One less thing to go wrong. Lets face it my transmission will go bad again before anything else lol.

 

Careful with the cover bolts. They like to break.

 

I put the Posi-Lock kit on mine and it installed fairly easy. I installed Yukon lock-out hubs on mine as well, so the front axle doesn't spin anyway. This cleaned up all of that vacuum garbage and now I know FOR SURE I'm in 4x4 when I engage the hubs and shift the transfer case

 

That's what I like about it. I didn't use lock out hubs because 3rd gen Rams are live axles

 

Where is the reverse light switch located at? Is it on the NV4500 or is it on the NP 241? Pictures would be great.

Thanks!

Getting closer to finishing this thing!

 

Should be on the trans.

 

All,

I was pretty proud of myself for thinking I had solved a problem with the 4X4 light switch, but it appears that the one I purchased does not reach down far enough to sit on top of the selector enough to turn it off. The vacuum switch I took out sits deeper into the transfer case about a 1/4" more than this one. Anyone have another option I might try? Eating crow sucks on forums....