2003 3500 DRW to SRW conversion Step 1

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I have been trying to sell my 03 dually for about 6 months to get a SRW truck. I didn't need the dually anymore for hauling and my wife has a dually too. I decided to make a SRW truck out of my Dually. It went pretty well except for a 14 inch chunk of fender [/IMG]#ad




I have a friend who does body work and he will fix it for free$$$.



I will post more pics later and I can tell you it went really well. The front and rear axles are the same on both 3500 SRW and 3500 DRW trucks. The only difference is a spacer on the front to accomidate the dually wheel [/IMG]#ad




More to come. . :-laf

 

[CIverson]

Sometimes I wish I had a dually, but the flares look too big to fit a Short bed.



It's interesting to know that the axles are the same width though in the back.

 

[klenger]

So, I wonder what your GVWR is now? According to the weight police on the forum, all that matters is the sticker on the door. Mods have no effect on your LEGAL GVWR, so I guess you're OK to load it up.

 

[Fireman]

Maybe you can find some big fender flairs to hide the cut outs. Wish you didn't live so far away, I'd like to have those dually fenders. Never hurts to have a spare when you have a Great Big Fanny.



Fireman

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I checked on flares, I might still get them but I want to try and fix the wheel wells first. I might end up needing them anyway.



As for the dually fenders, I might get rid of the whole package but not sure yet. Once I fix the fenders, I will never put them back on. Plus there is a couple of holes on each fender 28 on each side [/IMG]#ad

 

[DanDee]

Greg,



Interesting project, please keep us posted!

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Here is a finished picture of the conversion. Notice the 315/70/17 bfg at's. I found them on Ebay for $489 for all 4.



[/IMG]#ad

 

[willyslover]

Greg. . let us know what you do with the wheels and tires as well as the left over parts. . or link us to a Ad



BTW. . nice job !

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Willys,

No add yet but I could receive some PM's if people were interested. I just still am a little overwhelmed about ripping apart a $40,000 truck. But the parts will be listed as a complete package for sale.

 

[Peter Campbell]

There are companies that put on "western" beds. If there are recent take offs that are new you could score one of those. Might be worth a few phone calls and internet searching. You may even come up with the correct color.

 

[FDavid]

So how does the truck drive now? Does it handle better/worse? Is it faster, funner to drive etc etc etc blah blah blah??? Inquiring minds wanna know especially since I wanna do the same thing and I almost did back in september. Here is the thread



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=82745



Like you, I no longer need a dually and the truck is my daily driver. I didnt wanna be the first to do it but it looks like now I will be the second.

 

[bmoeller]

Do they make Cut-Out fender flares for the new Dodges?

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by Greg Boardman

the parts will be listed as a complete package for sale.

You might also consider splitting them up because I could see many dually owners that might like an extra set of wheels for snow mounted rubber and the rest of the stuff would be a nice kit for a QC SRW owner that wanted to convert and add Alcoa 19. 5's



A SRW owner may need longer wheel studs in the rear.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Originally posted by FDavid

So how does the truck drive now? Does it handle better/worse? Is it faster, funner to drive etc etc etc blah blah blah??? Inquiring minds wanna know especially since I wanna do the same thing and I almost did back in september. Here is the thread



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=82745



Like you, I no longer need a dually and the truck is my daily driver. I didnt wanna be the first to do it but it looks like now I will be the second.

If ya snooze ya loose!!!!! Just kidding.



I like the way it drives. The 315's give a much better ride. Smoother. It seemed quicker but the 315's also handled that too. I really like it better as a SRW. I missed my bombed 01 pretty bad. Don't get me wrong, the dually was super cool but I wanted my old truck back. I was real tired of trying to find tires for the duals. Not happening in CA. Goodyear SRA's are the worst and GSA's aren't available for 8 weeks. So Instead of taking a 7500 dollar hit on a new truck, I made mine new again. Much better. Now all I need is a 6 speed for a conversion and I'll be happy. Thanks for all of your interest.



As for the parts list,

My buddy has spoken for the rims. The rest is up for grabs... .

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Yes, Bushwacker.com

Originally posted by bmoeller

Do they make Cut-Out fender flares for the new Dodges?

 

[FDavid]

Hey Greg,

Did you have to use new lug nuts for the new rims? How long did it take you and did the dirt underneath clean right up? Sorry for all the questions but I am doing mine this week



Dave

 

[gsbrockman]

I hope I don't whiz anyone off here, but it's completely mind-boggling that you guys would butcher a $40k+ dollar truck in this manner. I'd driven longer, built more equity, or whatever before I'd hacked my truck to bits.

 

[jimnance]

Too bad Greg.



I got a bigger fifth wheel and am looking for someone with a 2003 dually that would prefer a 2003 2500 SRW. Mine is in mint condition with 20K miles, but the new fifth wheel has me at 4800 lbs on the front, but 6,400 on the rear. I need the dually.



Jim

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

It must be nice to have enough testicular fortitude to try somthing no one else will do? You bet buddy. I own two dually's and only need one. Why trade in a truck that makes 400+ HP for a truck that makes 300? Just make what you want out of what you have. Isn't that what bombing is all about. My truck is way better now than a dually. Why? Because I like it now... . !

 

[MMeier]

Hmmm... . a SRW 5500 Dodge Ram, that ought to strike up some interesting conversations now, huh Greg?