Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) convert from3500 to 2500???

[Smokin Joes 2500]

All right tell me Im crazy!!! Dont know if this belongs in this forum but you guys are the smartest I want to take the training wheels off my 02'!!! How hard (crazy) is this??? Im mechanically inclined got tools installed lifts in Dodges before just wandering about bed sides. I realize on the front Ill have to remove the wheel spacers that push the dually wheel out, rear should just remove all dually wheels and install normal wheel ???Right???Wrong??? more worried about bed than anything if I take the big fenders off whats under neath??? Do I need to get a new bed or can I have the holes filled and repaint the bed??? Am i dumb for wanting to do this??? I dont haul often enought to justify the dual wheels but love the truck and dont want to get rid of it. Has anyone on here ever done this??? Any help will be appreciated, Please dont think Im an idiot. Want easier manuverability and less weight. thanks again Smokin' Joe

 

[RWhites]

Hey Joe;

Maybe a better idea would be to find someone with the need for a duelly and swap?

Rich

 

[RustyJC]

more worried about bed than anything if I take the big fenders off whats under neath???

Cutouts that look like they were done with a reciprocating saw with a dull blade! If you do this (and I don't know why you would), figure on a new 1500 or 2500 bed.



Rusty

 

[btanner]

the studs for the dually axle will be too long and might need to be replaced. The axle also might be a different width than a normal srw so your single tires will actually be tucked under the bed like they are now you would probably need a spacer set for it to look right. The dually arches are going to be cut through on the bed and you won't have the trim to make it look right. You have to purchase that. It might be easier to switch beds to a srw. I don't know if it'll really be worth it in the end at least to make it look correct. I guess with time and tools though it wouldn't be overly hard just probably cost some money to do right.



-ben

 

[RHARVEY]

Smokin Joes 400,



Here is a link to a thread over on the DTR that should give you some answers. I was ask to post this link over to his thread...



http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47703&highlight=dually+conversion



Rick

 

[JHawk]

I can provide some help

I have down the 2500 to 3500 and can help with what I found. The front axle is the same if you remove the axle extenders for the offset dually wheels. The rearend is 4" wider than the 2500 single wheel rearend. You will need to locate a new bed. The fuel tank is not an issue. The drivetrain is not an issue if you leave it a long bed. I hope this will help some.

 

[mjoppie]

i tried the exact same thing you are trying and got steered away becayse you would have to get a new axle and a new box because like everyone says the openings in the top of the wheel wells and the fuel tank door is also a issue if memory serves me, but sometimes i wish i would have, it can be a pain to drive sometimes but i guess you just live with it