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jefe_4x4's avatar
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014

Outfitting up the Dodge TC hauler

I've been recovering from the flu and have spent way too many bleary-eyed hours surfing the web. Why? It's time to throw some more cash at La Cabeza.
A few things caught my eye. I would like to hear from anyone who has delved into any of these.
1. Top Gun Customz 5-leaf mini spring pack that replaces the useless thick lower overload spring. Very thin leaves: that's good for travel. http://www.ebay.com/itm/TGC-2-94-02-Dodge-Ram-2500-3500-Rear-5-Leaf-Progressive-Spring-Pack-Set-/350969563092
I have sent the mfgr. an email to find out if there is any interference with double upper secondaries or Stable Loads on the rr D-80 axle on my p.u.
Anyone done this to their rig? It looks interesting. They claim more flexibility of the susp. without sacrificing load carrying capacity. What caught my eye was the 2" susp. lift you get out of the pkg. That's what I need to level the rig with the loaded camper on.

2. Spyntec's fixed spindle unit bearing replacement package. They have done their homework. You get 35 spline outers, and a set of free wheeling interior hubs which stop all those driveparts from turning while your tooling down the highway. The stock RG&P spline count on the '01 Dodge is 32, so that may snap before the outer stub axles do. Oh, and big servicable bearings and u-joints. The maching looks very clean. They also do this for Ford. Anyone done this? This site had the best pic:
http://spyntec.com/00-13_dodge_spyntec_overview/

3. Ox Locker, cable operated, front Dana 60 true selectable locker, not an LSD. It's the manual transmission of lockers:
http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-130996-dana-60-locker-ox-locker-oxd60c354h-35.html
I've had about every type of locker on off-road rigs and there is always some woe with air-operated, clutch type, or automatic lockers.
Anyone spent time with the OX? I've heard there have been legal troubles with the Co. so who knows where they're at currently. And, that's hearsay. I always believe hearsay.
jefe
Truck Campers
  • jefe_4x4's avatar
    jefe_4x4
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2014
    Update:
    I have been chatting with Top Gun Customz in Tenn. about two of their items:
    1. 5-leaf spring pack that replaces the thick lower overload spring. I'm waiting to hear from their engineer about the actual lift involved considering the addition of a 2600 pound dead weight white box on the rear axle. They claim 2", which would be fine as I really only need a 2-3" lift, not more load capacity.
    2. The TGC upper and lower front control arms. I already have a 3" 'puck' lift on the front springs and longer shocks, so now have decided to fix the entire front end. Here's what we know: When you lift the front end 3", the track bar becomes too short and locates the axle to the driver's side by about an inch. Not much, but noticeable. There can also be some clearance and binding issues.
    The way to fix that is to get a track bar relocation bracket which lowers the mount and relocates the axle, side to side, back to center (at least that's the idea). They have a GEN4 track bar upgrade which dumps the bad aspects of the GEN2 track bar. The next thing is getting the right control arms. With the 3" lift, as the control arms drop down they also move the axle rearward about 1/4" per inch of lift. This is one reason my 33x13.50R16 tires rub. And only on one side. (Track bar woe.) The axle has moved rearward. I hogged out the front part of the fender, but you can see that moving the axle back forward would give me more clearance:

    To fix that, I'm getting longer control arms, actually for a 6" lift (1-1/2" longer to make up for the rearward travel of the axle). Hey, i'm only lifted 3". I'm over compensating to get the axle farther forward yet so my tires will have lots of room to roam. The tech guy says it's done all the time. I'll let you know how all this works when i get the goods installed.
    regards, as always, jefe
  • rooney77's avatar
    rooney77
    Explorer
    Jan 13, 2014
    I've never run across anyone with an ox that regretted it. A buddy had one on his ultra 4 race buggy and in 5 years his cable stretched maybe an inch. That's locking and unlocking a butt load of times during a race and 6-10 races a year.

    Now I have read on pirate about some horror stories but you get similar stories about ARB as well. If ox made a locker for the 9" I'd have one on my crawler.
  • GpnAZ's avatar
    GpnAZ
    Explorer
    Jan 13, 2014
    jefe - I can't give you any input on those products but sure sounds like an interesting project. Good luck and keep us updated as you go.
  • jefe_4x4's avatar
    jefe_4x4
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    Gregg,
    Any spring set that has a 3300 # rating is too stiff for me, unless they graduate the rate with secondaries. I'm just sniffing around for he ultimate suspension for a Dodge and a Truck camper.
    I remember looking WWII Dodge trucks and they had a high rating but very, very stiff. Not for me.
    It's such a fine balancing act between
    1. flexibiliy. not too flexy, and not too stiff.
    2. load carrying capacity, by degrees. Graduated works well here.
    3. ride. Since we go in loaded/unloaded modes the requirements are completely different. Therein lies the problem.

    Dadwolf:
    I checked out Dynatrac, and they are the oldest mfgr. of the bearing replacement, but @ $1K more than the Spyntec's? Mark got his before Spyntec came on the scene. The Dynatrac hub sticks out too far for clearance on rocks for me.
    Bertalotto, I checked your website and thanks for the installation piece. I learned a lot.

    Truth is most of us don't need a front locker but do need some suspension help. Looks like i'll be the guinea pig on these upgrades.
    jefe
  • jefe_4x4's avatar
    jefe_4x4
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    Here is the post that got me going on Spyntec:
    notice how the hubs don't stick out as far (one reason they call them 'shortys')

    http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/120846-spyntec-shorty?p=1499271#post1499271
  • dadwolf2's avatar
    dadwolf2
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    Rbertalotto wrote:
    I did the front hubs on my 2006 diesel. Highly recommended to stop wear and tear on the frontend. But more importantly it get rid of those horrible unitbearings And replaces them with standard easily available bearings. I did a whole wright up on my website. You'll have to look around to find it.

    www.rvbprecision.com

    I believe it is under the "Diesel" heading


    Must be doing something wrong. I got to the article and it was blank?
  • Rbertalotto's avatar
    Rbertalotto
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    I did the front hubs on my 2006 diesel. Highly recommended to stop wear and tear on the frontend. But more importantly it get rid of those horrible unitbearings And replaces them with standard easily available bearings. I did a whole wright up on my website. You'll have to look around to find it.

    www.rvbprecision.com

    I believe it is under the "Diesel" heading
  • dadwolf2's avatar
    dadwolf2
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    Jefe,

    Have you compared Spyntec to Dynatrac? Is there a reason you prefer one over the other? Besides $ ? I know Msiminoff installed the Dynatrac hubs on his Dodge and might be a good source of info.

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