Front Axle Shifting

Hi Scott,

Great mod for the Dana 30 with disconnect. Make your own. I installed a homemade one that was built with an old Chelsea power take-off cable that was given to me. Uses the existing shift fork and cover. Easy to do. Total cost $0.

When my vac shifter first failed, I simply blocked the fork with a bolt and a hose clamp. That kept me engaged, but I noticed more highway noise and reduced gas mileage. Much better now and the 2-low option is nice on the trail.

Steve

Foot Loose wrote:

I've been badly wanting to do this... How does the cable move the shifter fork? Nick

Hi Nick,

The fork is clipped to a shaft the protrudes from the right side of the cover. Weld a bolt onto the fork shaft, perpendicular to it. Drill a hole across the bolt, parallel with the shaft. The cable (thick wire really) runs through the hole and is held firmly in place by a nut above and a nut below.

The cable housing is braced above the cover by a hose clamp held between two nuts welded to an arched brace plate that is attached by two of the cover bolts.

I used a scrounged bracket to bolt the knob-end of the cable to the metal strip that runs along the underside of the dash. This works okay but it has some flex so I'll probably cross brace it to the fire wall.

Push the knob home to push the shaft, which in turn pulls the fork and collar off of the inner axle splines. Pull the cable to engage. Pretty simple.

One word of advice: the original shift fork is aluminum. It may be worn and have too much play on the shaft to be 100% effective. I used a spare from a parts truck that fit tighter than my original. I've heard that there is a steel Mopar replacement fork available.

Steve

Nick N wrote:

You might also try the junk yard - my 88 MJ shift fork is one piece steel. Might be a replacement for all I know, but what's in there is all steel.