Axle difference in 3500 SRW vs DRW

[WOT]

What's the difference in the axle in a 3500 dually (6 spd) and a 3500 SRW 6 spd? I know the 2nd gens had a dana 80 hybrid on the 2500 6-spd and a full dana 80 on the 3500 dually, but I'm not familiar with the 3rd gen setup.

 

[Rosco]

The axle is identical. The only difference is in the springs and the drw may have bigger pistons in the rear calipers.

 

[macdaddy]

The axle is identical. The only difference is in the springs and the drw may have bigger pistons in the rear calipers.

Rosco

They are actually not identical. The Pistons are indeed larger along with the axel shafts are longer. Check out Readers rigs members name Greg Boardman in Twentynine palms Ca who did a DRW to SRW conversion on a 03 the photos clearly show it. No flame intended!!!

Mac

 

[XJSuperman]

And the springs are not different. The extra weight rating of the dually is because it;s a dually. Plus with the calipers (brakes) there is not that big of a difference but the dually calipers are bigger.

 

[BRuppel]

the hubs on a DRW axle stick out further than those on a SRW axle.

 

[Sled Dog]

Same springs, same axle.

 

[JohnnyH]

The springs ARE different. A SRW has the identical springs as a 2500, but with the addition of overloads. I believe the SRW and 2500 have 4 Main springs with 2 overloads on the 3500. The DRW has only 3 Main springs with 2 overloads. I'm sure someone on here can go out and verify this or post some photos.

 

[Rosco]

Rosco

They are actually not identical. The Pistons are indeed larger along with the axel shafts are longer. Check out Readers rigs members name Greg Boardman in Twentynine palms Ca who did a DRW to SRW conversion on a 03 the photos clearly show it. No flame intended!!!

Mac

I wasn't aware the dually axle was wider. Oh well, two out of three ain't bad.

 

[XJSuperman]

The springs ARE different. A SRW has the identical springs as a 2500, but with the addition of overloads. I believe the SRW and 2500 have 4 Main springs with 2 overloads on the 3500. The DRW has only 3 Main springs with 2 overloads. I'm sure someone on here can go out and verify this or post some photos.

No they ARE not



I was under 2 duallies today... EXACT same spring pack as my SRW 3500. 3 long leaves with a short leaf on the bottom and the 2 overloads on top. 6 total leaves NOTc ounting the factory lift blocks (which were the same also) Which means NO difference between SRW and DRW other than dual rear wheels... and the ONLY other difference with the 2500 is there are no overloads.



Same axle, same springs, and some folks think the frames are different... UH-UH (i've had people try and tell me this). The dually gets it's extra towing and hauling capacity from being a DUALLY. Nothing else.

 

[JohnnyH]

No they ARE not



I was under 2 duallies today... EXACT same spring pack as my SRW 3500. 3 long leaves with a short leaf on the bottom and the 2 overloads on top. 6 total leaves NOTc ounting the factory lift blocks (which were the same also) Which means NO difference between SRW and DRW other than dual rear wheels... and the ONLY other difference with the 2500 is there are no overloads.



Same axle, same springs, and some folks think the frames are different... UH-UH (i've had people try and tell me this). The dually gets it's extra towing and hauling capacity from being a DUALLY. Nothing else.

Well, I dont know what to tell you. My 3500 SRW has 4 long leaves, the short leaf you refer to and 2 overloads, for a total of 7. If I can get my hands on a digital camera today I'll post a picture. All of the duallies I've seen have the spring package you described.

 

[JohnnyH]

Actually, if you go to Kens website at klenger.net and look under the Lowering a 3rd gen truck link, you will see what I'm talking about. He has pictures of both a 2500 and 3500 SRW truck leaf package.

 

[klenger]

Here is the link that JohnnyH was referring to: http://www.klenger.net/dodge/lowering-rear-end/slide01.html

 

[XJSuperman]

Ok... we have a discrepancy then. My 2004 (not '04. 5) 3500 SRW has 6 total leaves. 4 in the main pack and 2 overloads. There are 3 spacers... 2 between the axle and the main pack and one between the main pack and the overloads. This is EXACTLY as the 2 duallies I looked under today. (I have no way of knowing what years they were but they were 3rd gens)



ALSO... my 2004 2500 had the EXACT pack as my 3500 only minus the overloads.

(and minus the top spacer since there's no overloads)



Sounds like different years may have different a spring pack ( OR they use what's laying around. ) I guess it doesn;t matter as the spring rates should be ... BETTER be the same.

 

[macdaddy]

Gentlemen

I got with my spring guy here in so Ca (Bette Spring Inc) and it looks as though you can have two identical leaf springs (in appearance) sitting next to each other and and still have to complete different spring rates achieved through forging. So unless they have the same part# they are in fact different.



Mac