Hi guys!

First off, is there anyone that can tell me what model to put into sites when searching for parts for a 1978 Dodge Powerwagon? None of them list Powerwagon and we're not sure if it's a D100 or D150 or some other designation. I even called the local Dodge dealer's service department and they couldn't tell me.

Second, we're looking into getting front lockout hubs so it's not constantly in 4x4 mode (to save gas) but are not sure what all will be involved in it. So any help with that would be greatly appreciated.

Pics of our baby are attached.

 

Dodge 4x4 pickups are "W" series, the 2x4 pickups are "D" series, 1/2T is 100, 3/4T is 200.

You cannot "just install" locking hubs on a full time 4x4. The transfer cases work completely different from a "normal" old school transfer case such as the 74's which DID have locking front hubs.

1---Ma redesigned the front hub/ wheel bearing into an inCREDibly stupid design. These are more like many of the front drive cars, IE the front hub/ bearing is a matched pair of very expensive Timken bearings which is only sold in a matched set, with a special spacer ring in between. I've "been told" (if you can find them) that you could conceivably convert the outer parts of the hubs to older Dodge or Ford in order to install hubs

2--But that would not solve the transfer case dilemma. Older "conventional" 4x4 cases were built to "solidly" drive both front and rear shafts. That is, example, if you broke something, you could pull the rear driveshaft and drive the thing home with front wheel drive.

You cannot DO that with a "full time" transfer, unless it's been modified. These have what amounts to a limited slip differential inside, so that the front/ rear shafts can actually slip at different speeds, IE if you get the rear stuck but not the front, etc.

Now the AFTERmarket industry does have mod kits for these transfer cases, so that they "become" more like a conventional case.

This:

http://ramchargercentral.com/index.p...iew;article=67

is about Ramchargers, should be the same as a 1/2T, shows what you are up against for wheel bearings

 

I had a 74 Ramcharger for over 20 years, it was factory full time 4wheel drive. You could pull either the front shaft out or the rear shaft out and still drive it. The trick was the 4wheel drive shifter needed to be put into 4wheel drive or it would not move.

 

Do a google search for Mile Marker 203 part time kit. They make a great kit that’ll let the thing run around in two wheel drive but in the end, it really doesn’t save that much fuel.

Your transfer case is an NP203. Here’s an article I wrote that explains the basics of it.

http://voices.yahoo.com/the-process-203-transfer-case-12045754.html?cat=27

 

You could always swap the t-case for a np208. Has to have the right bolt pattern and input spline count though.

I've heard the same about swapping dodge knuckles with f*rd knuckles but that was only for the D60 ball joint front axles, not sure about the D44 axles. I could see that working too but you'll need the knuckles, caliper bracket, calipers, rotor, hub and stub shaft.

As far as the look up goes, Power Wagon was nothing more than the HD version of the trucks back then. If you have 5 lugs on your axles, then look up a W150 for that year. If you have 8 lugs and a D44 front, look up a W250. If you have 8 lugs and a D60 front axle, look up a W350.