Convertering my 2500 to a 3500 SRW

[Mikie12]

I’m looking into converting my 2500 to a 3500 SRW. It currently has the 11. 5 axle w/ the 373 ratio. The truck has just over 15,000 miles on it, so I want to reuse as many parts as I can.

I know that I’ll have to replace the rear spring packs, and front coils, as well as shocks all the way around, but will I also need to replace the rear axles, axle bearings, hubs, and rear disks???

Are there any other parts that will need to be replaced that I’m not thinking of?

I guess I’ll need to know precisely what the differences are between the 3/4, and 1 ton (other than the badging) are before I begin. Your advise would be appreciated.

Thanks, M.

 

[JTH]

The leaf springs, u-bolts, and coils are actually identical, you won't have to touch them. Here are the differences besides the bed: The rear axle assembly is wider, you have two options 1. You could buy a rear end out of an 03-Up Dually and bolt it right in, this would be the stronget way especially if you plan on towing. 2. You could buy a set of dually adaptors to put on the back, this would work fine, it just wouldn't be nearly as strong as swapping the axle would be. For the front they just have factory adaptors that extend the wheel mounting surface out so that you can use the dually wheels up front. The drivelines, shocks, and everything else is the same. Feel free to ask any other questions if this doesn't help you. If I were you, I would probably just buy the adaptors, this would save you from having to buy a rear end. There are many places that make adaptors to do this, here is one: WheelAdapter.com - Wheel Spacers, Wheel Adapters.

 

[JVolpe]

If you are talking about 2500 to 3500 SRW, then just add the overload spring and change the badges.

 

[JTH]

Oops sorry... for some reason I misread your question and thought you wanted to convert from a 3500 SRW to a 3500 dually. JVolpe is right, the only difference on the SRW's between 2500 and 3500 is the leaf springs and coils if you already have the 11 1/2 rear axle, the brakes are the same on the 3/4 and 1 ton Dodge SRW's.

 

[67guzzler]

If you are talking about 2500 to 3500 SRW, then just add the overload spring and change the badges.

Yep -- AND if it's important, add the roof marker lights that are standard on the 3500...

 

[MA2LA]

my 3500 doesn't have roof marker lights. its standard if you have a dualy

 

[betterthanstock]

And the door GVW and GCVW label, so the cops don't ticket you for overloading.

 

[CDonaldson]

To increase your 2500 to 3500, keeping it an SRW all you need to do is install the overload springs, and add the cab marker lamps.



My 3500 SRW came stock with cab markers, it is required according to the law for 1-tons. In 2006 there were many Dodge 3500 SRW's that actually got recalled so the lights could be installed per the law.



If you get stopped in a DOT road check with 3500 badging and you registration has been paid for the 1-ton rating, the DOT guys will not look at your door stickers, they will look at your tires/weight rating, set you on a scale, that's it.



ALL states allow you to raise your trucks liscense fees to the next level class rating.



CD

 

[MA2LA]

there was a thread awhile ago about lights and such and the reason for the marker lights is a DOT law that anything over a specific width requires them along with the 3 lights in the middle on the rear. I never recived a recall for mine not having the cab lights

 

[Bob V]

The lights where std on ALL 3500 till 2006, then only std on the DRW 3500. The bigest problem will be that the overload spirng stops are welded to the frame, they can't really be added on. I would go with air bags and if you need it, change the badging. That is what I did.

 

[67guzzler]

my 3500 doesn't have roof marker lights. its standard if you have a dualy

OOPS!!! My bad. I just assumed the 3500's did.

In 2005 (my model year) I believe the roof marker lights were standard on all 3500's as mentioned above...

I like the look so I check off that option on all my trucks.