How does Jeep vacuum disconnect work???

Dana 30 front axle. What actually engages and disengages this axle? I
took the vacuum actuator off, and there is a shift fork that rides on
some type of devise that slides back and forth on the axleshaft. I am
planning on putting this axle under an S-10, and need to know how to
make it function correctly. I heard that it would cost big money to
convert to manual hubs. Any information and how this system works
would be appreciated.

Joe Peters wrote:
>
> Dana 30 front axle. What actually engages and disengages this axle? I
> took the vacuum actuator off, and there is a shift fork that rides on
> some type of devise that slides back and forth on the axleshaft. I am
> planning on putting this axle under an S-10, and need to know how to
> make it function correctly. I heard that it would cost big money to
> convert to manual hubs. Any information and how this system works
> would be appreciated.

A 2 second web search will give you a boat load of info:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Dana+30+Front+Axle+Vacuum+Disconnect

You could consider replacing the vacuum actuator with a cable-operated version:
http://www.drivetrain.com/4x4PosiLock.html

--
Roger