Dodge Ram 2500HD Pickup
Dynatrac Front Axle Swap

 

Visit Geno's Garage for Truck accessories.

July 28, 1998 - Axle ordered.  The specs go to the engineering staff who design the axle and specify the parts required. The axle is expected to be completed in four weeks.

August 24, 1998 - Some Dana parts on back order, construction delayed.  Parts expected to arrive by September 1.

September 11, 1998 - Dana parts for ABS sensor mount still on BO. Other parts ready for assembly.

September 23, 1998 - All parts arrived, construction estimated to take two weeks.

October 9, 1998 - Axle shipped from California by truck.

October 16, 1998 - Axle arrives in a big crate. Fit and finish appear flawless.

October 20, 1998 - hub flange does  not fit wheel, hub disassembled for machining.
The hubs were removed,  and then were machined by a friend of mine who gave up his lunch hour to do the work (Thanks Randy!).

    

October 25 & 26, 1998 - Saturday: Original axle removed - 4hrs with setup time for jacks, cribbing, rigging, and tools.  Dynatrac axle bolted into place - 4 hours with tool pickup time.  1 additional hour was used for a couple of trips out to get minor parts and a few tools.

Sunday's activities were abbreviated due to church activities in the morning and a church potluck dinner in the evening.  In between, all bolts were checked for proper torque, the ABS wires were spliced and the brackets were bolted into place (final run to connectors under hood is incomplete). Wheels were re-installed and the  truck was set back on ground.  The original calipers were still connected to brake lines and hanging to the side because Dodge hose bolt has different threads than the Ford bolt has.

October 28, 1998 - Install shocks and calipers, check steering from lock to lock.  Tie up 4X4 light wiring, cap CAD vacuum lines, connect air plumbing for ARB, secure long axle vent hose. Adjust drag link and tie rod to get wheels pointing (more or less) straight. Bleed brakes and test drive - brakes good, steering wheel off center, but driveable.  Drive truck to alignment shop:

• Caster dead on for both wheels ( I had reset the Caster Cams to their original positions).
• Camber  0.1 degree more on passenger side - tech says it's OK but he prefers 0.1 degree more on driver side. He will put in a slug if it moves.
• Toe - looking out  1/8" and off center - adjusted easily.