I have a 1968 Dodge crew cab that I am planning to convert to a 1 ton Cummins powered camper hauler/race trailer tow rig.
I was planning to go two wheel drive, but I just picked up a 1998 Ram 3500 four-wheel drive diesel donor truck. I see that the front axle is suspended via some type of 4-link suspension. Are these much good? Do they drive true and straight down the road and ride okay? Are they reliable? My other question is how do the front hubs operate? There is a shifter on the floor for the transfer case but I don't see any means of locking or unlocking the front hubs. Any information or advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Joel

There is no unlocking mechanism for the front hubs from the factory. The axles turn all the time. There are aftermarket kits to convert them. I did one of my trucks but for the $2K price I would say it wasn't worth it.

The coil spring suspension rides better than the old leaf spring design. Ball joints are weak links though.

The track bar needs to be upgraded as well. The front hubs are sealed units you can convert them to free spin as well but it is pricey.

I'm not sure there has ever been a 3500 4x4 that tracks/drives true down the road.

Save yourself alot of grief and find a 2wd.

I have several 2nd Gens 4x4's and while that front-end rides nice, steers excellent, handles well and looks great, something will always go wrong, from most frequent:

1. Outer axle u-joints.
2. Axle seals.
3. Hub bearings
4. Ball joints

And pulling all this stuff apart isn't easy, especially the axle seals and hub bearings.

If you want to stick with what you have, there is a way around most of it, and I'm thinking seriously about this on my next project: Pull the outer drive axles, inside axles, the crown and pinion, and front drive shaft. Weld a cap on the ends of the axle tubes, and run it as a 2wd.

4wd is for People who don't know how to drive.

Thanks for all the advise. I think I'll just stick with the I-beam 2 wheel drive front axle and parallel Leafs. I want to keep it simple.

My son has an 02 with the part time hub conversion, it is basically just Ford stuff that makes up the kit. It doesn't gain you any MPG with a diesel it just helps keep a few parts from wearing out.

find a first gen cummins and grab the front dama 60 and the rear dana 70---might be easier to use a 89-91 non intercooled motor from the same unit----no room for an intercooler on your truck and not much space for the fan clutch either....

This is what I would do as well.
Once you go through the king pins, bushings, shocks, and brakes, you will be $ ahead.
Those old trucks handle just fine.
It will last for many miles and years.