1st Gen Dually wheel spacers

[Andy314]

So I am getting ready to do my rear brakes, and I will be replacing the drums. So I figure now is the time to replace the wheel studs for longer ones, if I chose to put wider wheels on the rear.. Anyone's thoughts on 1" spacers?? I am running stock 16" steel coined wheels. Where is the best place to get the spacers, and wheel studs??

 

[Simplysmn]

Have a good friend that didn't like spacer's so he had the center of the out side wheel Moved in and that way he could run bigger tires with stock wheel's .

 

[mysteryman]

You need to read my old posts on hub and drum assembly's and wheel spacers. Wheel spacers should be illegal ! All of you 1st gen guys should read every post I have written on the trucks before you pick up the first wrench ! If you did you could save yourselves a lot of misery and expense ! I know most out there think that we engineers that designed the trucks are stupid. But we really did know how it was done. We created them ! I am one of the few left living from the early days. I am not doing well . It won't be long till I am gone. Then your all on your own ! good luck ! Just try not to kill too many innocent people with lift kits, wheel spacers and other down right stupid accessories you can come up with !

 

[ENoli]

Mysteryman... I agree with you 100%. I cringe whenever I see one of those half breeds on the same road as me. And it applies to all vehicles, not just our beloved 1st Gen trucks.

 

[ofelas]

LOL. Happy New Year Terry. I'm about to have a bacon croissandwich, and thought of you.

 

[Wayne M.]

My ‘81 D350 had the Budd coined wheels with 5/8 studs and the special nuts. When I got the truck, the duals were put on wrong and caused all kinds of issues. I was still a young mechanic learning the trade, and this was a huge experience, because everyone assumes the simple things like throwing wheels on a vehicle don’t require any consideration.

Mysteryman, I hope you’re well, and would like to hear more from you, and a Happy Birthday!

 

[HHhuntitall]

Terry makes a good point.... That's just extra leverage to pry upwards.... I think you can do it, but not safely if you're not using quality components. The only wheel spacers I'll even consider are made of high quality STEEL! Aside from custom made, Arrowcraft spacers (https://arrowcraftproducts.com/dually-adapters-8-lug/), are very well made. The cheap aluminum ones (even those claiming 6061 heat treated aluminum) are junk, and as stated, perhaps a public hazard..... I've had them come apart when I unbolted a wheel. I won't use them on highway vehicles, and have broken more than several, myself. There's even a set sitting in my shop window right now, with 14mm chevy studs that I took off and replaced because I wouldn't work on the truck. Customer had no clue, "I just had a shop do it... I figured they knew what they were doing." Well, that's what brought you here, isn't it?

 

[mysteryman]

So I am getting ready to do my rear brakes, and I will be replacing the drums. So I figure now is the time to replace the wheel studs for longer ones, if I chose to put wider wheels on the rear.. Anyone's thoughts on 1" spacers?? I am running stock 16" steel coined wheels. Where is the best place to get the spacers, and wheel studs??

NO NO and hell NO , LEAVE IT ALONE ! You have no idea what you are messing with !

 

[NIsaacs]

My ‘81 D350 had the Budd coined wheels with 5/8 studs and the special nuts.

NO NO and hell NO , LEAVE IT ALONE ! You have no idea what you are messing with !

Old thread that the OP never reposted on. However, Wayne, mysteryman or anyone else, please explain the "special nuts" I am curious about your take on this.

 

[Wayne M.]

Old thread that the OP never reposted on. However, Wayne, mysteryman or anyone else, please explain the "special nuts" I am curious about your take on this.

Nick, the wheels were the same front/ rear, but they have alternating “dishes” bumped in/out around the wheel sud opening, so they stack and seat together. The hub has recesses to accommodate the in facing dishes, and the wheel nuts have a flange/ cup to accommodate the out facing dishes. I believe the hex was 1 1/8. High torque spec due to the flat flange seat.

 

[NIsaacs]

Good job, you explained that well, better than I could. I agree and is how I understand the system.

Now, what is your personal opinion about the system? I have my own opinion and it is not very considerate to Dodge, IHC or Dexter axles and might offend mysteryman

 

[mysteryman]

NIsaacs is 100% correct !!!!!! Everyone should take heed to this ! You are taking your life in your hands changing wheels and tires and not understanding how they were designed . The best plan is to leave the vehicle STOCK. They will last a lot longer and be a lot less expensive to maintain if left alone !

 

[EDankievitch]

I have to agree with mystery man. I did use a set of Arrowcraft duelly spacers on my 89. They worked giving me the extra stability I wanted when towing. But we’re a nightmare when it came time to service the rear brakes. Arrowcraft used a special jamb/ locking nut that was tough to get off after they were locked down. If I was to do it again I’d get a duelly rear axel and swap the whole thing out.