DRW to SRW

[Dieselholic]

I know this has probably been beaten into the ground and I even searched the archives but could find the exact answer, so here goes. What is involved? Does it take a new axle or is there just a spacer? Also, can the fenders just be taken off or are they connected to the bed forever? Could you just cut them out and weld a new panel in?? I found a 1st gen truck but its a dually and I cant hack a dually beings Im a young driver. Thanks

 

[bmoeller]

Is licensing and insurance the issue? Width-wise the fenders aren't really any wider than the mirrors.



I think the axle is a bit different width-wise. Looks like it would be a fairly simple conversion, particularly compared to the 2nd gen and later trucks. There should just be a spacer to remove up front. Obviously, will need new rims.



Only 2 problems for me having a dually, is reaching stuff inside the box from the side.

The other, is backing 4-wheel wagons. Can't hardly see the front wheels on them to know when to make a correction. The Bestop mirrors helped alot, but still not as easy as using a single-wheeled truck.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Well

They aren't training wheels so no matter how young or old you are, the duals will work out fine. Drive it a few days before dumping them. The body would have to be changed as well since the side panels are not the same as the srw.



Check around on some prices and decide which way to go. You can definitely change the thing over but it involves several things other than just the wheels. No it isn't just spacers.



I have been driving a dual wheel truck for the last 34 years. They grow on you.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[Philip]

The fender extensions are made of fiberglass on a dually. They are bolted on. So removing them isn't a problem. Just unbolt them. But the wheel opening is different than a SRW bedside is. You would need to change the bedsides to get the correct look or replace with a flat bed.



The dually axle is wider than the SRW axle is. So you would never get the tires in the correct position under the bed without changing the axle out. The only other option is a flat bed.



The other item you haven't thought about is the front end. It takes a dually wheel on the front. If you try to install a SRW wheel on the front. It will not clear the wheel well lip ( I think). The dually front hub sticks out about 6" farther than the SRW hub assy.



If your wanting a SRW find one and save yourself some problems/headaches.



"I cant hack a dually beings Im a young driver".



What does age have to do with the configuration of the truck?

 

[bgilbert]

DRW probly will have a higher resale value in the end. If DRW is not for you, keep looking, sounds like a expensive headache to me.