2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Convert to dually?

[PatrickCampbell]

Anyone know anything about ArrowCraft dually adapters?



What exactly does a stock dually have that a SRW doesn't, axle wise?



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[Hoefler]

For one, it relocates the load on the axle. It will ride where it is not intended. It will cause premature bearing failure, bent axle housing, among other things. The one ton dually rear end is bigger, bigger brakes, designed to run duals. Not to mention has springs, frame, and drive line to match the load. If this adapter allows you to run off set wheels like a dually, you will have to carry to spares. The front will not allow you to run the same wheel with out changing the spindle, rotor, hub, caliper, and possibly the master cylinder and booster. When all done and said, if you increase the load you carry, you will be above the GVWR and the GCVW. There is a thread going right now about running over weight, you might look into.



Bottom line, if you want to load like a one ton, you should by a one ton. You will be safer and it will cost a whole lot less than the conversion in the long run.

 

[JL penner]

Hoefler is partially right. Do a search on this subject. I've been looking into this for quite some time now. All you need for the front is the adapter (that's all the dually gets from the factory). The rear axle is different tho. It's a true dana 80.



From what I've found out, all you have to do is swap rear axle, add springs, and put the front adapters on. Then you get a dually!



JL





on edit: Just to clarify, the axle you have is a hybrid Dana 80. The 1 tons have a true Dana 80. This is what I've learned from reading post on the good ole TDR.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Hoefler, the frame, brakes and suspension are the same on a 2nd gen 2500 as a 2nd gen 3500 (or 3rd gen 3500 SRW and 3rd gen 3500 dually), so none of that is an issue.

 

[Boondocker]

6 wheels does not a one-ton make. The dually conversion idea has been discussed in other threads, usually having to do weight capacity. You have a sticker on the door stating the vehicle's GVWR, probably 8800 lbs. Even if you did a pristine dually conversion, your legal GVWR is still 8800, only now the dually parts have used up even more of your available capacity (weight rating). So you have to ask yourself why you want 6 wheels. If you need a 1-ton, buy one. In the long run, I think you'll be happier, safer, and rest easier knowing you have what you need.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Don't care about the stated GVW much. The truck would be losing the bed anyway so I am not worried about the GVW of the truck without a trailer. Where I will be working my GCWR is calculated by GVW of truck plus GVW of trailer. Trailer is actually downrated from 21000# to 17200# to equal 26000# even when added to my truck.

 

[jabird]

Patrick, you need to do alot of reading before you jump into this. I did it..... its not as simple as just bolting on the parts. In my case the front hub adapters from a 3500 WILL NOT just bolt right on to 2500 hubs, they had to be machined. The drive shaft needs to be shortned. You may end up with ABS issues dependant on what year parts you use. And a ton of little things. But those are the big ones.

 

[truckstom]

I'll trade you mine... I want a 2500... thought about doing the conversion to a single wheel... decided to buy one. Mine's in the classifieds now.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Ah sounds nice but it is auto!

 

[jbrowne]

Did the dually trick on my 96 and am quite happy with it. I didn't bother with the front end. I just left it stock 2500. I also took out the automatic and installed a NV4500. (5 speed) Had to remove the shift leaver from the steering colume, real easy. Hung the new brake and clutch bracket. No problem there either. Had to make up a little jumper wire for the back up lights and remove some wiring that pertained to the automatic. Kind of confused the computer for a while but all is well now. Put 2002 springs and a six leaf overload spring. Oh, almost forgot, had to lenghthen the rear shaft 1 1/8" and shorten the front the dame. Holes in the cross member are elongated so that fit right up. No problem with the ABS system as it is RWAL and it is the same as the Dana 70. The advantage of wider brake shoes is a plus. I also installed Chevy wheel cylinders as they are 1/8" larger in diameter therefore giving the rear wheels more authority. Had to trim the piston stops a little to allow for the rubber seal on the Chevy cylinders. The only help that i needed was getting the input shaft aligned. Have had a lot of comments about my RAM 2500 dually. I have not seen another yet and have had it five years. Good luck on your.

jbrowne

96 RAM 2500 Dually CUTE!