DRW to SRW conversion possible?

[biggy238]

My boss has a 2004 4X4 dually 4dr that was hit at the rear door and destroyed the bed and sheared the rear axle loose. Appears to be no frame damage.



IF... and thats a big IF... IF it is totalled, and I were to purchase it, can the front axle be converted to the SRW style pattern? Do they just use spacers with the same Hubs as a single wheel style truck? I know i've looked at some where it looked as though the stud could be replaced with regular wheel studs.



I'm interested in the conversion because I know where the components are at a local parts yard and the truck could be fixed for low $$$





Let me know if it can be done.

 

[Bertram65]

Pretty sure the only differnces between a DRW and a SRW are the wheels, spacers in front on the DRW, the bed, and the rear axle on the DRW is about 2" to 3" wider. Others have done the conversion with a new bed, in the end you just end up with the rear track being slightly wider, other than that you cannot tell it was at one time a DRW.

 

[GWBourne]

the front is bolt on spacers from the factory.



the rear is a wider axle.



ya find a guy like me in your area who wants a DRW and swap the rear if you have the same ratios... .



thats the easy way, except for the fact a guy like me has a short box and will be purchasing mega cab dually bed flairs...

GRant

 

[Prairie Dog]

There was a fellow who did just the opposite here a few years ago. He just removed spacers, wheel wells and did some bodywork to fix the bed. After installing a set of eBay wheels and tires it looked like it came that way. The rear axle was the same as a SRW.



Scotty

 

[Bertram65]

There was a fellow who did just the opposite here a few years ago. He just removed spacers, wheel wells and did some bodywork to fix the bed. After installing a set of eBay wheels and tires it looked like it came that way. The rear axle was the same as a SRW.



Scotty

The rear axle on the 3rd gen trucks has a wider track on the DRW trucks, it is not the same as the SRW.

 

[biggy238]

I'm counting on the original DRW axle being bent in the accident and finding the narrower SRW axle. I just hope the cab isn't damaged too much.

 

[JohnCooper]

I'm counting on the original DRW axle being bent in the accident and finding the narrower SRW axle. I just hope the cab isn't damaged too much.

If the frame isn't bent and the "cab ins't damaged too much", I wouldn't count on the insurance company totalling it!

 

[grfraz]

Something you may not have thought of... ... If the insurance company totals out the truck, then it can not be registered as a drivable truck again. You can part it out, but you can not repair and drive that one... . unless you swap VIN plates with a truck that has a clear registration... . Very Very Very illegal.



Here in Georgia if a vehicle is totaled it can only be sold with a salvage title and it can never be registered again.



As mentioned above, if it is repairable the insurance company will not total it. The wife wrecked her 3 day old Jeep Grand Cherokee, $21,500 in body work, and the insurance company paid it. I told the guy at the body shop that he should have just made a deal with the dealer for a new one and saved himself a lot of time. 3 months to repair.

 

[gsbrockman]

Let me know if it can be done.

Everyone here has posted some correct information regarding your questions... ... keep us posted how it goes, Kyle.



And grfraz..... there must be quite a difference in laws between GA and KY regarding salvage / re-built / totalled vehicles. As long as it has a legal VIN and title with any brand but "parts only" it can be used on the roads. This 2004 Dodge Neon SXT I purchased in NH had a salvage title and it only required a headlight, L/F fender, hood, radiator & A/C condensor. The bags were good. It was hit high and drives down the road straight as an arrow. It has power windows, locks, trunk release, tilt & cruise, intermittent wipers, sunroof, am/fm/cd, automatic transmission, OEM chrome wheels, keyless entry, theft alarm, and 20,824 miles. It was ready to go, and has been a great little daily driver... ... for $5,900 . :-laf I've been driving it since June 2nd and it now has 32k miles on it.



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Greg

 

[grfraz]

grfraz..... there must be quite a difference in laws between GA and KY regarding salvage / re-built / totalled vehicles.

must is...



cause, must ain't just don't sound right... :-laf

 

[biggy238]

Lurker..... LOL







The truck appraised at $14,500 in damage, which wasn't the required %75 in total book value.



And much like Greg said, Almost anything can be driven in Ky so long as it is inspected and licensed. Much like legalizing a "Kit Car"