I am the proud owner of a lightly used (33,000 mi)2002 Ram 1500 4X4 regular cab-short bed.I did NOT realise you couldn't unlock the hubs in the front till WAY after the purchase.Has anybody here heard of a conversion to install locking hubs on these trucks?I've only seen them for 2500-3500 with front driveshafts.Maybe some kind of Jeep spindle switchout?I'm not afraid of difficult jobs-plenty of those under my belt.

 

A 2002 1500 4wd right? Sounds like your talking about a solid axle application, just CV axle 1/2 shafts on a 1500 light duty truck.

 

That is correct-CV halfshafts.1500 half-ton 4WD.Does the fact these are CV joints as opposed to driveshafts mean this can't be done?Woudn't the application be the same?Disconnect the hub from the wheel.

 

There is actually a sleeve in the axle tube that disconnects the passenger side. When you have the truck in 2wd only the spider gears are being driven, the diff and drive shaft are stationary. This is a benefit compared to lockout hubs because If you do get stuck you don't have to get out of the truck to lock in the hubs before the four wheel drive will engage.

 

the only issue with the spider gears still being driven is it will still activate a locker if you put one in the front, that is the benefit of being able to unlock your hubs so its not turning the front gears

 

I lifted the truck by the plow frame and turned the D.S.wheel-the CV axle and the driveshaft to the transfer case turned.This indicates to me all the components are turning all the time.Just like 1967-so my question remains.Is there a spindle in the Mopar family,or any,that will allow the front wheels to be disconnected from the driveline while in 2WD.This truck has a 4.7 and should be getting good mileage.It runs smoothly and all gears are shifting properly.I should mention that I only use the 4WD in the winter to plow-which IS important in Massachusetts.

 

There are no hub conversion kits out there for the 1/2 rams. The 02 to 05s are a straight hub to spindle set up with the CV shafts mated right to the diff (obviously you know that lol) You may be able to swap a 06+ front diff in there but the actuator in those only disengages one side.
IMO leave it the way it is, its simple, its reliable. If you're seeing bad mileage in a reg cab then you should look over the rest of the powertrain first.

Not trying to rip on ya but why would you buy a 1500 for plowing? Unless its a perfectly smooth driveway or somethin you'll beat the front end out of it in no time.

 

My situation is I work for a local housing authority.It is important that I am able to get to work ASAP during snow emergencies.I only plow my own driveway-the 1/2 ton does the trick.So,after my drive is clear,off to work I go...But-I don't get how,with the probably hundreds of thousands of these trucks out there,I'm the only one who's wondering why there are no hub locks.Gas is close to $3 a gallon,which means a $60 fill-up.This is an obvious oversight to me.Lets go,aftermarket guys and retro-mechanics!