i have a 1995 ram 1500 4x4, and im getting one hell of a clack from my front right wheel. i thought it was time for hub service, and i was going to go for some nice warn manual lockers, but in reading some tech data i found out that my truck has some form of dana 44 front end with what they called a CAD system. i didnt fully understand it, but this is what i got from it, please correct me if you know for certain i am wrong, or have a different take on the CAD front end.

CAD stands for Central Axle Disconnect. this system engages/disengages from the center section rather than pushing a spline shaft into a hub that can then be locked in place. in essence, i dont have hubs on my truck, but actually just wheel bearings like in a 2wd model. this means that if i wanted to put on lockers, id need to do an axle swap from a 1993 or older ram, or a newer model chevy or ford.

all of this leads me to believe that the clacking is not a worn out hub as i had suspected, but rather a bad wheel bearing that needs replacement.

any insight is good, i need to do something about the noise if i want to sell this truck.

 

You have hubs- they are unit hubs. Newer Chevys are IFS and 1993 and older Dodges have the differential and transfer case output on the passenger side.

 

How many miles do you have? Good chance its the bearing. To replace the bearing you have to replace the whole hub though, usually right around $200 for the part.

 

i have a locker in my truck. it only means that the front driveshaft will spin. unless your putting in an auto which is a very bad idea for i street driven truck.

 

ALL 2nd gen 4x4 Rams, with the exception of the 2002.5 3/4ton and 1ton models, have CAD.

You can convert it to lockout hubs...but only on a Dana 60 which is found in a 3/4-ton or 1-ton.... http://www.dynatrac.com/site/dodge-hub.htm

Personally, for the cost, you're better off just fixing the problem

Your truck does have hubs though...they're just a unit hub, as stated already. The noise is most likely a worn hub (bearing). Again, as stated, you need to replace the whole hub unit. The ony other posibility would be one of the axle U-joints.

 

almost postive but ford and chevy late modelsboth have IFS..unless you get into the 3/4 and full 1ton trucks...they might have straight axles... itd be a PITA to do a make model axle swap... ROM said it best... just fix the prob .... unless your doing some NASTY offroading and not a daily driver..then id see you put in some 1ton or military axles and make it a rock crawler...

 

All current Chevrolet's are IFS, ever since the body change in 88...Except Blazer/Jimmy and Suburban which were straight axle until 92
Ford F-150's are IFS since 97, F-250/350 are still straight axle - current models have Dana 50's and 60's under them. The Ford steering linkage is actually a good swap for a Dodge 3/4 or 1 ton because it has better geometry. However, the F-250/350 are leaf sprung and Dodges are coil sprung.
You could, I would assume, swap the Dana 60 from a big Dodge under your truck. It would be work...but I think it would be worth it. I hope it's worth it anyway, because I have a Dana 60 and Ford steering linkage waiting for my truck.

 

yea alot of guys swap danas from the HD rams quite often.. the guys at pavementsucks.com in the Dodge4X4 thread have a WEALTH of knowledge when it comes to axles and suspension.. theres a guy on there the did a 5.9 to a CTD swap in the 1500.... im sure they can answer more in depth on axle swaps...

Laguna....whens that gear goin in the ram? anytime soon? love to see some pics and maybe a write up for the DIY thread

 

I'm gonna try to get started when I get back home. I was transferred with my company for a job...so I won't be back for another month or so. Anyway, I have a pretty good friend who did the Ford steering linkage swap on his 3/4 ton...so I'm definately going to enlist his help.