Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) My Rims Won't Fit?

[RSchwarzli]

I have a early (3. 54) 98 3500 Dana 80 rear axle from a 4wd, and I purchased a set of rims off of a 94-98 3500. The problem is when I went to install them, the rims are scrapping the drums? Is there something that I am missing? Where the rim sizes differant between 94-98? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks,



Robert

 

[zstroken]

You sure that the rims your installing are from a 94-98. I tried to install my 2001 rims on my 97 and they would rub the drum also. It looks like they took a little material off of the drums on the newer trucks

 

[CumminsPower98]

You sure that the rims your installing are from a 94-98. I tried to install my 2001 rims on my 97 and they would rub the drum also. It looks like they took a little material off of the drums on the newer trucks

I don't know about the first post but I have '01 alloy wheels on my '98. They went to disk brakes, that's why the wheels won't fit over the drums on older trucks. All you have to do is have the rim of the drum turned down a little on a lathe. Some trucks also need a small amount of grinding on the steering arms but mine didn't.

 

[RSchwarzli]

That pretty much expains the issue. The salvadge yard said that they were from a 94-98, but I seem to think differentally.



Thank you so much for responding.

Robert

 

[Red Stroke]

I have read of guys putting the truck in gear with the tires off and the truck on jackstands, and using a grinder to knock off the edge on the drum, essentially a poor mans lathe. With no ill effects to the drums.

 

[Matthug]

I have read of guys putting the truck in gear with the tires off and the truck on jackstands, and using a grinder to knock off the edge on the drum, essentially a poor mans lathe. With no ill effects to the drums.

Yeah since I don't have access to a lathe thats the way I did it. It's not near as good, you can't get it 100% even because there's hard spots and softer spots in the metal of the drums. But I have no balance issues, no vibration anyway. Takes a long time too, those drums are HARD!

 

[CumminsPower98]

I took mine to an off road shop in town that has a lathe and they charged me $47 and change.