2500 vs Dually axles: Expert knowledge needed...

[MillerR]

I hope I don't come across too abrubt, but I'm not looking for "I think" or "someone once told me" on this question. I have plenty of that already. I would really like to hear from someone who knows for a fact, the answer to the following question... Can you swap a 2500 axle with a dually axle without any other modifications? More specifically... Brake size and line hook-ups, Shock mounts, U-joint compatibility, Spring to axle mounts and Wheel lug size. If these are not directly swappable, what needs to be addressed? I am looking to swap axles with smokejunkie. I want to convert my 2500 to a dually and he wants to convert his dually to a SRW with a narrower rear track. If you "KNOW" the answers to these items, please feel free to share your knowledge. If you don't, please feel free to throw out suggestions, but please keep it to a minimum... Thanks, Trey Miller

 

[HOBrian]

The dually axle is wider by a small amount, everything else is the same between the two.

 

[RNewberry]

Axle Swap

The dually axle is wider by a small amount, everything else is the same between the two.

I THINK that 2500's came with a 10. 5 rear and 3500's have the 11. 5 rear.

I KNOW that some have 3. 5" axle tubes and some have 4"

Better do your homework before commiting to this swap.

Just my $0. 02 - Good luck!

 

[opjohnny]

in the third gens 2500 you could find 10. 5 or 11. 5 under it on the early builds. A S. O. 47re truck might have a 10. 5 but an H. O. with a 5600 would get a 11. 5.

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

I was going to post a short reply, but it has to be at least 10 charecters, and I thought that might be too much:-laf

 

[MillerR]

Just for reference, this potential swap would be axles only. Springs, Shocks, Drivelines, Brake lines, etc. would be staying on the original trucks. Some of the little things I was wondering about are... 1) I was once told that Duallys have a larger diameter lug on the hubs. Is this true? 2) I thought Duallys had larger brakes. If so, would this interfere with the ABS? 3) I have seen some posts stating the driveline is larger on a Dually. Is this true? 4) Are the shock mounts located in the same spot? Anybody know for certain??? Thanks, Trey

 

[dcherill]

Just for reference, this potential swap would be axles only. Springs, Shocks, Drivelines, Brake lines, etc. would be staying on the original trucks. Some of the little things I was wondering about are... 1) I was once told that Duallys have a larger diameter lug on the hubs. Is this true? 2) I thought Duallys had larger brakes. If so, would this interfere with the ABS? 3) I have seen some posts stating the driveline is larger on a Dually. Is this true? 4) Are the shock mounts located in the same spot? Anybody know for certain??? Thanks, Trey

abs should work on wheel speed, so I don't think you will have a problem with ABS

 

[BMH95]

You have a 2003 HO, which is an 11. 5 aam. The axles should be exaclty the same. The only difference might be that if the trucks are not both long beds or 6 speeds than you will have different ujoints. Switcht the beds and the wheels? Why would you swap axles?

 

[MillerR]

You have a 2003 HO, which is an 11. 5 aam. The axles should be exaclty the same. The only difference might be that if the trucks are not both long beds or 6 speeds than you will have different ujoints. Switcht the beds and the wheels? Why would you swap axles?

The dually axle doner (smokejunkie) has an '03 dually, so it is a long bed. He did his change to SRW a while ago and is wanting a SRW axle for his tread width. I am wanting the dually axle to have more stability hauling a 5th wheel Travel Trailer and gooseneck Horse Trailer. (Blow one tire and you have 3 more to get you safely to the side of the road). He has already done the bed swap and no longer has the dually wheels. I have modified my bed (lowered side rails) and like it the way it is. I will only need fender extentions and wheels. I have the six speed, I'll have to check with smokejunkie about his transmission. Thanks for everyone's inputs. Any more expert opinions out there??? -Trey