So I was watching extreme 4x4 on tv and they were talking about a unit bearing elimination. They did it on an old dodge ram. It gave them 2.5 more per gallon. Also it is rebuildable. Any done this or know where you can buy a kit to do the conversion?

 

The only current kit is from Spyntec. It's a fairly expensive project and requires you to change your wheels to a 5 on 5.5" bolt pattern. For the back you would have your axles redrilled, buy a new dual drilled set or get wheel adapters.

 

Dynatrac are you planning on coming out with some?

 

Thanks for the good information; and on a Saturday when we all should be out wheeling instead of working There must be other "advantages" to the Spyntec kit as well, but saving 2.5 MPG alone probably wouldn't justify the modification from just a financial perspective.

This would be way down near the bottom of my JK mod wish list as I really like the wheel choices with the stock bolt pattern, which is the main reason I will be upgrading my front axle assembly to a 44 and not a 60, but to each his or her own.

-meljr

 

People who have done this on their JK have reported little or no increase in mpg.

Trying to get better mpg's is not a reason to do this on a JK.

Other advantages:

Gives you the opportunity to have 2lo on the trail.
You can easily disengage the hubs and get home if you break something in the front end.
Front wheel bearings will be serviceable, and cheaper to replace when needed.

 

We've discussed it at length but I don't think it will happen. Our kit would be bit more expensive as it would all be U.S. made and the kit now isn't selling in big numbers. The benefits that Ron cites are real but most users have a better use for that kind of cash. I feel that mod is much better suited to the Jeep TJ user as the factory JK system is far superior the factory TJ system. Personally? I'd put that money into a front end or an Atlas.

 

Saving your front DS from self destruction after lift with bad pinion angle (optimized for caster).
Saving your TC from destruction because of front DS vibration/balance problem.

 

all good reasons to do the conversion in theory, so i thought. But at the end of the day they are high maintenance and costly, i know i've had them on for years now and so sick of maintaining with new bearings annually because waters n muds gotten in, seals wearing bearings rusting failing etc.

They cost a lot to convert and now im paying again for new Wheels and parts to Convert back to 5x5 Unit Bearing.
I have spent a lot of time with them and been very patient but they are just not reliable.
So much easier to change a Unit bearing (and how ofter do they really go?) for $120 with new wheel sensor, shit I spend probably $250+ PA on bearings and seals plus two full days work fully rebuilding them! If your going on a long trip Just carry tools and a spare Unit Hub.
It's not easy repairing or working on these off road, dirt will get to the grease in no time, it would be a messy job to replace a bearing in the bush, you need a clean w/shop. At least a unit hub is sealed and clean for roadside replacement. BTW i have been stranded with these hubs once and it wasn't repairable! needed a tow truck and order complete new spindle and internals.

I know this is an old thread but if anyones thinking of going down this path don't, save your money and future heartache and spend your hard erred on something else. When you add up Solid Hubs, Axels, Ball Joints, Gussets Labor etc a Dynatrac 44 Front End would be cheaper than doing up a Dana and 10x better, Kicking myself i didnt go that way in the first place! The Solid Hub Conversion is just not economically viable unfortunately. (forget fuel saving too, there is no notable difference locked or un locked ive tired on two separate full fuel tanks)

cheers