2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dual wheel conversion questions

[Kirwin]

I have a friend who is considering putting dual rear wheels on his 2500. I am not familiar with the differences in the axles but assume that the axle width is different for the dually set up. He has found an outfit that sells spacers to move the rear axle flange face out to provide the correct spacing. Are there other things that he needs to consider? Can you run the 2500 stock wheels on the front and put some kind of spacer on the rear axle that will allow the correct dually spacing? His truck is a 1999, 2wd, V-10 so I assume he has a Dana 70 rear axle. The purpose of the modification is to provide additional stability while pulling his 5th wheel trailer. He is not overloaded now on the rear axle but is considering doing this to give him more margin on the rear axle. Thanks for your help. Ken Irwin

 

[Animal]

Yes you can run dually rims on the back (with conversion kit) and stock on the front, but he will have to have two spares one dually one stock.

 

[78repowerwagon]

With the spacers it centers the load over the outer bearing, so consider the rear weightrating lower than stock. If he is not overloaded and just wants it for stability it should be ok.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

78's point is critical. You end up with less weight capacity than you had as a single wheel truck. There is tremendous leverage on the wheel bearings when you move the centerline of the wheel(s) in or out from stock very much. This situation is detrimental to wear and capacity. The axlre housing is no stronger and it will bend if overloaded much and you get into bouncing, etc. situations.



When Olds designed the Toronado they had to do a lot of parts beefing because the wheels have a lot of offset (inwards in that case).