CAD Axle Questions

[98rumblebee]

Hey guys, just got a couple questions about the 4x4 engagement system on these trucks. I understand the basic operation of it, I'm more interested in gettting rid of it. I believe the passenger side inner shaft is permanently connected to the diff, how about the driver side? When you're in 4x4 is it really all 4 or just the passenger front and not the driver? Not an expert on axles/differentials per se. I'd like to put manual hubs on it, if I did that with a one-piece passenger shaft that would give me power to both wheels when I locked it in? My front d44 is completely ripped up inside, I want to do a 60/70 swap one of these days anyway. The rear ain't in great shape either. Won't be back to the truck or able to drive it until beginning of April anyway but figured I'd get the info... Appreciate any help.

 

[MoparMagic'00]

i think its both front when locked in don't quote me..conversion kits are available to do lock outs but pricey and there are companies that make a one piece passenger axle shaft. with a CAD set up like these have the drivers side is always connected to diff and a primary shaft on passenger is connected.. then when engaged the shift fork moves the collar and connects the stub shaft on passenger wheel. with any solid axle that i am aware of you will have a cad set up. really only way i know to do away with a CAD is to one piece axle shaft but then you will have binding steering unless convert to lockouts then you still have to get out and engage them.

 

[Merc225hp]

Oh what to say, your 44 & 9.25 are junk or going to be soon your words. So instead of fixing them just find the 60-80 diff's and be done with it. As posted there are part time hub kits out there for the 44 and the 60 $$$$. Installing those does not make it a true 4wd truck neither does the one peice axle shaft, only one wheel will drive unless you install a LSD or Detroit locker. The CAD system only came into play in the 93? trucks and up, all early solid front diff's before that used part time/full time hubs.

 

[98rumblebee]

My bad Merc, my wording was a little unclear. The 44 is most definitely junk and the 9.25 is probably gonna follow it one of these days, plus who wants to have an 8lug front and 5 rear? I'm planning on swapping in the 60/70 once I move and get settled in, with any luck maybe I can find a 2500 with an nv4500 to steal too. I have no interest in fixing the 44 (wasn't even happy about having to replace a hub when I was home around Christmas). I want to eliminate the CAD on the d60 though, I don't particularly like the system. Ideally I'll install manual hubs, one piece shaft and a locker or LSD depending on how much I have laying around I can spend. The 70 would probably get one too. I've heard that there is a way to use OBS Ford knuckles and hubs, not sure how much fabrication that entails... Either way it would be nice to have 4x4, I've owned the truck for almost 2 years and never had it working. 2lo is fun though... And thanks for the clarification, I thought it was an open diff that only drove the passenger side but wasn't sure.

 

[Merc225hp]

Ok so front 60 needs to be 98 and under, this will let you use the Ford knuckles and part time hubs. No fab work is needed just lots of hand work. There is a full write up about this on another forum, mass amount of pages and lots of mixed info there. No I will not link you to that forum you will have to hunt it up.

It must just be me but I have never had a problem with my CAD system works great everytime I use it. I will keep the CAD in play when I do the part time hub conversion.

Btw I have changed over to Dana 60's, nv241dld xcase and installed a xcase indexing ring so I know this work well.

 

[98rumblebee]

Thanks for the info. I'll keep that in mind about the axles being different after 98. Ford parts seems like it'll be a lot more... cost effective than buying brand new stuff - believe it or not Uncle Sam don't pay that much. I'm sure I'll be able to find whatever info I need when the time comes.

On a side note, my 4x4 never worked since I bought the truck. Was told it was a broken vacuum line, and they were indeed so I took it at face value. I was 16 and paid 1300 cash for it so I wasn't too worried. That didn't fix it so I swapped a good vacuum pump onto the axle, but when I pulled the old one I saw the actual disconnect was jacked up. The two shafts were a lot more disconnected than they should be, if you know what I mean. Also the gear oil in there was a solid goop, what hadn't leaked out that is. Probably explained it. Never had the money or inclination to mess with it, especially seeing as I can drive in close to a foot of snow in 2wd.

 

[rowdyram]

I may be wrong but I think 98 and later 60 axles are "live" and do not use a cad. Why not just swap one of those and call it a day?

 

[BBartow]

2002.5 are cad free

 

[Merc225hp]

98+ also use a very inferior bj style like the pos Dana 44, this style will not let you use the Ford knuckles or the part time hubs. You would have to buy the kit and thats just under $2000 not worth it at all in my op.

Ideal is to use a Ford hp kp 60, lots of fab work to get that to fit right using all the stock Dodge mounting hardware.

Btw using the Ford stuff will change the wms distance to a wider one than the Dodge has.

 

[MoparMagic'00]

wms? and the older dodges had the cad too.. same basic set up on my 85 Ramcharger I had with auto lock hubs til i changed them out for warns..

 

[BBartow]

wheel mount surface

 

[Merc225hp]

WMS= wheel mounting surface. Dodge used the CAD back then eh, learn something new everyday. 81-93 I have no use for those years, just me thats all.

 

[BBartow]

Only the 1/2 tons starting in '85.

 

[98rumblebee]

To be honest, I have a fair amount of experience but not extending to welding/fabrication (although I want to learn) so using axles from a Ram is much better suited to my needs and skill level I think. Plus it'll be easier to find a whole parts truck because I need a body panels as well, and I'm hoping to find an nv4500 to put in too, ideally before the 46re kicks the bucket. Would 2002.5 be a 3rd gen, or late 2nd?

 

[Merc225hp]

2002.5 would be the last of the 2nd gen 2500 model line. Would be the last diff I would ever want under my truck thats for sure.