2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2500 to 3500 conversion

[AHire]

What would be involved in converting my 2500 to a 3500. Ive got rear disc brakes.



TIA

 

[Mundgyver]

Are you driving a 6 speed, 5 speed or an automatic. If you have a 6 speed HO then you have a Dana 80, If you have an automatic then it will be a Dana 70. 5 speed I'm not sure. The Dana 80 is rated for 11,500 lbs, but your weak link will be the tires. With the Dana 80, you basically have a 1 ton. Dana 70 will be a 3/4 ton.

 

[AHire]

Are you driving a 6 speed, 5 speed or an automatic. If you have a 6 speed HO then you have a Dana 80, If you have an automatic then it will be a Dana 70. 5 speed I'm not sure. The Dana 80 is rated for 11,500 lbs, but your weak link will be the tires. With the Dana 80, you basically have a 1 ton. Dana 70 will be a 3/4 ton.

I ve got the dana 80. Im wanting to convert to a dually for stability reasons. I was told all i needed was longer studs in rear, and dually bed w/fenders. Just trying to see if that was correct.

 

[Boondocker]

it's not that easy

I was told all i needed was longer studs in rear, and dually bed w/fenders. Just trying to see if that was correct.

I'm afraid that's not good advice. While the axle housing and carrier are indeed Dana 80, the axle end bearing assemblies are quite different between SRW and DRW. Longer studs alone won't get it. With studs and spacers, you can bolt duallies on, but you will ruin the hub bearings. A proper conversion requires an axle from a DRW truck.



The conversion is doable, not cheap. You'll gain stability and load capacity but you will not increase your legal Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Your VIN says it's a 3/4 ton, and that's all it will ever be in the eyes of the law.



Why do you need more stability and is that what you really need? There are other ways to gain stability that may well be cost-effective compared to a proper axle swap, 6 new tires and wheels, and fenders. Consider suspension changes such as shocks, air bags, and anti-sway bars. Consider truly heavy duty wheels and tires, like Rickson 19. 5" and load range F tires.



Depending how attached you are to your truck, (judging by your sig, I'm guessing you are) you might want to consider a trade to a real 3500. Do some searching on the conversion subject. There has been plenty of discussion.



Regards,

Neil

 

[JRichard]

Ive been wanting to go the other way -- to convert my dually to a SRW lol



I go lots of places where my damned dually just WILL NOT FIT, no matter what i do ... it can be very irritating sometimes ...



Ive been lookin around to find someone else with a poppy red 2500 that wants to convert the other way LOL



Jake