front wheels on 3500

[Patriot Diesel]

Forever I have been looking at the front wheels on a duelly and never knew why they look the way they do, I guess I'm just stupid, better yet uninformed. Does the 3500 have a wider axle width, and the inset of the wheels keeps the tires inside the fenderwells, or am I way off base ?



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2000 2500HD QUADCAB CUMMINS, AUTO WITH 3. 54'S,LB,4x4,ALL OPTIONS MINUS LEATHER,UWS DP TOOL BOX,SPORTMASTER CUSTOM MADE SOFT TONNEAU,CARR STEP, VENTVISOR, 305/70/16 PRO COMP'S, RANCHO RS9000, RS5000 STABILIZER, AMSOIL 15W-40, PATRIOT BLUE/DRIFTWOOD

 

[Pete Peterson]

Jeff, go out and take the front tire off, then look at the adapter on the front. It allows the front and back to set with the same offset. If you take that adapter off you would have the same axle width as a 2500 truck... ... ... Pete

 

[Bad340fish]

I believe the offset of the wheel and the hub adapter eases the load on the ball joint. I can't really explain it lol, So I am not much of a help. Some people think it is done that way to allow you to rotate your tires. But I doubt thats it. IMO it helps increase the load carrying ability of the front axle
Clark

 

[dmurdock]

It's so that all the wheels are interchangeable. Been that way forever.

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'01 Eth 3500 4x4, Amsoil air filter, AutoMeter boost & egt on pillar mount, Pacbrake used to stop a '00 Prowler 27' 5'er super slide every chance I get! See My Truck and also be sure to read What tools & methods to use for an easy 1st oil change!!!
"Be happy you don't get all the government you pay for. " -W. C. Fields

 

[Extreme1]

Yup, what they said.
Actually, it isn't the ball joints, it's the wheel bearings.

Remember when cars had engines in the front that drove the rear wheels? The front wheel bearings supported that weight. The inner (larger) bearing carried the weight while the outer (smaller) bearing countered the moment. The optimal set up is to have the wheel bearing loaded evenly. When you see the cars with the wheels that look like they were stolen from something else, (another hip trend) that is putting an incredible moment on the wheel bearings. Note that most front drive cars have a pair of ball bearings side by side (instead of the tapered rollers from the old days) and you are looking at a disaster waiting to happen.

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'94 3500 4x4, 212,000 miles, Goerend Brothers Torque Convertor + VB Mods, TST #5 plate, 215's, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9k's w/remote, Isspro Gauges & Amsoil everything.
Punchlist: 14 cm Turbo Housing.
NRA member.
Blue Ribbon Coalition member.
"I am my own performance station"

 

[Mr. C]

Here's my two cents

I don't think anyone here is gonna think you are stupid when you are expanding your knowlage,that's why this site is here. #ad


I don't know about you but if some one told me that the new truck I was buying needed 2 different size spare wheels because the ball joints were too wimpy on the front axle,I'd be lookin' elsewere for sure!

Jeff, It's definately that style so you only need 1 spare for all positions. The hub adapter is there so the front wheel wont rub the suspension while turning,tire rotations are enabled, and the manufacturer can use the same axle for 2 different applications by just adding an inexpensive spacer.

I used to sell wheels and tires and the ball joint and wheel bearing load concerns started when the aftermarket started making extreme negative offset wheels and the wheel bearings on some cars couldn't take the extra forces. I'm sure the 3500 bearings can take the stress and then some!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Correct on the only reason the front wheels are the way they are is so they are interchangeable with the rear wheels. Or else you would need 2 spares. It has nothing to do with bearings or anything else. As mentioned, it has always been like that.