SELECTABLE HUBSUpdated a month ago

The Basics: Selectable Locking vs Non-Selectable Hubs

From our perspective:

• Non-Selectable Hubs (like those found on factory Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 front axles with a unit bearing): These hubs are permanently engaged. That means your front axle shafts, differential, and even parts of your transfer case are always turning whenever the front wheels are moving—even in 2WD. It's simple and maintenance-free, but it has real drawbacks.
• Selectable Locking Hubs (like what we implement in our Free-Spin kits): These allow you to manually engage or disengage the hub at each wheel. When unlocked, the wheel turns independently of the axle shafts, so the axle doesn’t spin at all in 2WD. When locked, you're fully engaged for 4WD.

The Problem with Factory Dodge Trucks

The factory Dodge Ram front end uses unit bearings and permanently engaged hubs, meaning there’s no way to disconnect the axle from the wheels. That results in:

• More wear on your axle shafts, U-joints, and differential
• Reduced fuel economy due to parasitic drag
• No way to isolate front-end vibrations
• And if a unit bearing fails, you’re often stuck on the side of the road

Where Our Free-Spin Kit Comes In

That’s where our Dynatrac Free-Spin™ Hub Conversion Kit changes the game.

What we do is replace the factory unit bearings with serviceable, heavy-duty spindle assemblies and traditional wheel bearings—a proven design used in solid axles for decades. We then incorporate manual locking hubs, just like you'd find in older trucks and off-road builds.

With our kit, your Dodge now has:

• True selectable hubs—unlock them and eliminate front axle drag in 2WD
• Serviceable components—no more expensive unit-bearing failures
• Longer life and better MPG
• Reduced steering and driveline wear
• Stronger hub and bearing assemblies, ideal for heavy-duty use, oversized tires, and towing

It’s a full conversion that brings durability, control, and performance back to the front end of your truck.

At Dynatrac, we’ve engineered our Free-Spin™ Hub Conversion Kits to not only solve issues with non-selectable front hubs like those found on Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks—but to do it with the best hardware available. That includes the manual locking hubs we supply in our kits. You have two top-tier options: the Dynatrac 35-spline Locking Hubs and the WARN Premium Locking Hubs.

Dynatrac Locking Hubs – Built for Abuse

We designed the Dynatrac locking hubs because we weren't satisfied with what was available on the market for serious off-road and heavy-duty use. Our hubs are:

• CNC-machined from heat-treated chromoly steel, not cast zinc like many OEM-style hubs.
• Designed to handle the torque and shock loads from 35-spline stub shafts and big tires.
• All-steel internals – no plastic, no pot metal, no excuses.
• Features a positive 90° turn-to-lock mechanism with large engagement teeth and tactile detents – so you know when it’s locked in.
• Sealed with heavy-duty O-rings and equipped with corrosion-resistant hardware for long life in mud, salt, and snow.

We built our hubs for longevity and strength, period. They're made to match the rest of our Free-Spin system: bulletproof.

WARN Premium Locking Hubs – Proven and Trusted

We also offer the WARN Premium Locking Hubs as an option in our Free-Spin kits. These are:

• Built with all-metal construction and a reputation for dependability.
• Feature a dial design with spring-loaded engagement.
• Include stainless steel components and a heat-treated internal cam.
• Made in the USA and backed by decades of proven performance.

WARN’s hubs are excellent for general use, and they offer great value. For most users who aren’t rock crawling or pushing extreme torque loads, they’re a solid, reliable option.

How They Compare to OEM Lockouts (Ford Super Duty Example)

Now, let’s talk about what we’re not impressed with: factory/OEM lockout hubs, like those used on some Ford Super Duty trucks.

Ford’s OEM locking hubs are:

• Plastic-bodied, prone to cracking and warping with age or heat.
• Often vacuum-operated, which means failure-prone systems and inconsistent engagement.
• Known to seize or leak, especially when exposed to water, salt, or mud.
• Built to a price point, not for longevity or abuse.

Whether you’re using our Dynatrac hubs or WARN Premiums, both are a massive upgrade over OEM lockouts, especially when paired with our Free-Spin spindle assemblies and serviceable bearings.

Why We Stand Behind Dynatrac Hubs

If you're looking for the ultimate solution, our Dynatrac locking hubs are the top choice. They’re not just stronger—they're engineered to match the quality of the rest of our kit. They handle:

• Big power
• Heavy towing
• Off-road shock loads
• Oversized tires
• And they just keep working—year after year.

They’re made here in the USA, held to the highest quality standards, and backed by our commitment to durability and performance. When you build a truck to last, the weakest link becomes your biggest liability. With Dynatrac locking hubs, you eliminate that weak point entirely.