Hello everyone. I was On here a few years ago and i unfortunatly had to abdruptly got off. I still Have my 1999 ram 1500 4x4. Anyhow im tired of the CAD and not having a reliable 4wd when i need It. Has anyone installed a Yukon hub conversion on their rig? I’m also going to do the delete kit and throw away the CAD. EMS Offroad sells the axle and cover plate and was also wondering if anyone has used this setup before?

 

Heard about a lot of conversions in the HD realm but not 1500s.

Why do you say it's unreliable? Mines worked flawlessly for 20 years and 252k.

 

I’m also half inclined to delete the CAD.

It was once that 4x4’s had the 1pc front axles and that was it... everything just kept rolling over.
Then the idea of free wheeling hub was an aftermarket thing, with the big sales pitch of saving fuel and component wear.
The CAD was just another way of disconnecting things and reducing the rotating mass.

I’ve owned 4x4’s with no free wheeling hubs, and later fitted free wheeling hubs... I honestly didn’t notice any improvement in MPG.

So back to our heavy bricks... any difference in rolling resistance in our trucks would be such a small percentage of the overall, I can’t see it being noticeable.
And unlike free wheeling hubs, CAD doesn’t stop the guts from rotating, only the big heavy bits... infact the spider gears that normally only rotate a small amount slowly are now spinning up a storm.

I don’t see a big downside to deleting the CAD and do nothing else, whether by just permanently engaging it or putting in a 1pc axle.

The manual cable engage conversion is another option if you want to keep the functionality without spending bigger dollars of a hub conversion.

 

If it's unreliable there is a problem somewhere. I only use mine during the winter months in bad weather. I had issues with it and the problem was the metal vac lines along the frame got rusted up(inside) blocking vac to the cad. Replaced the lines and never had a problem since.

 

I did the EMS CAD delete and recommend it. Threw hubs not so much. They aren't as reliable as everyone thinks. Ford still uses hubs today and has an enormous amount of problems. I installed hubs on customers vehicles and they regretted it.

 

here is my reasoning,
I bought this truck new in 10/98 it now has 486k on truck. I use My 4wd on a weekly basis. The strongest weakness is the front diff and components. What makes me want to do this is the Locking hubs take the complete front diff train and it no longer spins while in 2wd. I’m tired of replacing the crappy front hubs and replacing u joints on the front. Also I’ve replaced the vacuum with a posilock. I have A Yukon Limited front diff as the open diff just sucked and being i was Already having to replace the bearings, seals and u joints i went With it. That was 130k ago and it’s doing just as good as it did when new. The Cad delete will get rid of the two piece and make it one axle. Less to go wrong. Yukon gives a lifetime warranty so I ordered it today and will put the kit on once i receive Everything.
I also Have a true lock in the rear of the truck. I now have all of the confidence to go anywhere with the truck. The posilock cable is ok if you have a open diff but since i dont I keep Breaking either the cable or the E clips that holds the fork in place. My truck is stock suspension with 16” bfgs mud terrain.
I work The truck and in the oil business its fun to pull out everyone and give the good ole rooster tail to quiet the critics! There are so many upgrades that I’ve done over the years. Just my two cents and was looking for someone who has done this conversation

 

CAD delete is a breeze. You will still need to replace the ujoints just as much and some of my customers reported more failures (hub) with the hub conversion. Just giving you the info

 

Works in the oil industry......

Yeah, I bet you go places on daily basis that most trucks only see a couple times a year. Durability is where its at. At least with the hub conversion, the bearings are easier to deal with. I would be tempted to skip the locking hubs though. That is going to become the new weak link in your setup.

 

I found a guy that has the same exact setup already installed. I have The Eaton Truetrac locker in the rear diff and the Yukon LSD in the front diff. He removed the CAD and went with Yukon hub conversation. I’m convinced now that I’m making the right decision and have started the install. The number one problem on the front hubs is to be sure everything is set up correctly on clearances. I have Just removed my front diff and the Yukon isn’t showing any type of wear on the clutches. Will keep you updated on progress.

 

CAD delete or manual lock. It would take years for payback. Less moving parts too. You won't have to go out in the mud/snow to lock them in. You could use the lock out hubs as the weak point, easier to change a hub out than an axle.