My truck is an early 1999 Ford F-250 7.3L. Overall the kit was pretty easy to install. Everything is high quality and quite precision. I was very surprised. A few tips to anybody contemplating this swap: 1-Dont even think about re-using the Unit bearing mounting studs (4 per hub) they are loctited on there and are almost impossible to remove (took 1 hour for one stud) the studs cost $5 ea from the Ford dealer and are worth every penny. 2-Might as well do ball joints at the same time (I did Moog ball joints) Rent a press for that. 3-Just doing the hub conversion should take a weekend if you take it slow and steady. If anybody has any questions about this kit feel free to contact me. I have pictures during the install as well as the experience of doing one fresh in my mind.

 

When I replaced my hub bearings, I removed the studs in about a half hour. All it takes is a small torch ( "heat" ) and some WD-40, let soak over night. At $5 a piece that's $40 to help pay for ball joints. Vise grips or channel locks remove them well. I had to re-use all 8 of them in new bearing hubs. Wish I would have know about upgrade at that point. Helps to put hub bearing in a vise.

 

Here is a link to the kit, if anyone is interested.

http://www.dynatrac.com/products_freespin_ford.html

Earlier this year they stated they were working on a kit for 2005+ trucks. I haven't seen that available yet.

 

Does any one know the best price for the kit ?

 

I bought mine from 4 Wheel Parts (http://www.4wheelparts.com/ADT3.aspx) for $1,700. Pricey, definately, but that is about what the dealer would charge for installation of new factory bearings.

rugermack - I am glad that you had better luck removing your studs. I think the red loctite mixed with the midwest rust made it a little to difficult. I had the torch on the housing for a few minutes and I was barely able to turn it. I tried every penetrating oil/spray I had and none of it worked. I was applying roughly 150 lb/ft of reverse torque on that darn stud and it barely moved.

 

Looks like the price doesn't go down at all. I know its worth it, just wish we could find a good e-bay deal on it.

 

I would just buy the studs from www.powerstrokeshop.com you can get the studs alot cheaper from them then the dealer. If you don't have a torch or a vice... then it is a PITA to change them. The new ones take max about one minute to install.. saves alot of time

 

Always someone that doesn't agree with not wasting money.

 

I would have ordered them if a) I would have known one of the sponsors supplied them, and b) I could have gotten them Monday morning after I figured out I needed them Sunday night at 7 PM.

 

there is nothing wrong with saving some money. My first wheel bearing I reused the studs... but I spent more time screwing around with them then the rest of the install. I didn't know about getting new studs either.... second wheel bearing just came with them... it was quite a treat!!

But I didn't have a vice or a torch to help me out... just the double nut fun method...

 

Not sure why, lacking an cartrige failure, you would go through the trouble on 05-07 trucks. You already have 35-spline 1/2 shafts.

I assume those axles still have cartrige bearings, but it seems unlikely that those are failing (yet) - so it seems unreasonable to buy a kit containing many parts your truck already has.

-Mike

 

By the way- I think the same company has a lock-out kit for Dodge trucks. Expensive, but it does away with the central-axle disconnect. Pretty sweet.

-Mike

 

A few things on various posts:


05-07 Ford Kits aren't available, and aren't in production yet. Test kits are out, no further word on it though.


$1700 is a deal for the Free Spin Kit, Dynatrac just had a price increase....so either 4wp had some kits on hand from the old price or are going be in for a surprise when they run the numbers



And yes, Dynatrac does make Dodge Free Spin kits as well.

 

Actually 4WP charged me $1,700 (Free Shipping of 110 lbs), but Dynatrac only charged 4WP $1,450 for the kit. 4WP does not stock any of these kits. Dynatrac is actually backordered for them. I was quoted 3 weeks to get mine, but I received it in about a week and a half. If you plan on replacing your unit/hub assembly more than once in the life of your truck this kit is really worth it. It uses Timken bearings that you can get almost anywhere for $40 instead of a few hundred per side.

 

Yep, they must have got the order in prior to the price increase.


And Dynatrac is pretty much always on backorder on the kits, Ford and Dodge. A few weeks ago their Ford batch was done and getting shipped out.


FYI, you can also get replacement bearings and seals directly from Dynatrac for a good price.