So I have been thinking since my dually rim deal fell through that I might convert the truck to single rear wheels. This would allow me a lot more choices in rims and tires as the direction the truck is going is away from towing and more toward multiuse, hauling firewood, sand dune trips etc. Now that the 12 valve is putting out some power I thinking wider tires are in order.

The easy swap would be for me to find some one looking for a dually rear and the front spacers and swap. My rear has new bearings & seals, new drums, brake lines. My factory dually rims while rusty have good tires on them.

What are the pit falls of this conversion?

Thanks

 

This is kinda funnny...
I was thinking this weekend it would be nice to find someone that wanted a SRW to swap with me since I am leaning more toward towing etc. and would like to have a dually. Swap out both axles and everything should be fine. Not sure about the spring locations on the rear axle but the front should be the same. Also not sure about spring rates are they different between a 250 and 350? Also the fiberglass fender flares is another thing I was worried about. Are they east to take off and install? I know they are getting hard to find I have heard.

 

The wheel openings on a dually bed are larger.

 

Springs are really not an issue with me as I am planning on installing a skyjacker spring kit in the truck to remove the factory blocks. I am still thinking on the rear end swap. Waiting to see if the idiots that sold me the wrong dully rims step up and exchange them. Also you could have my old dually box as I have another which I would remove the fender flares from to give clearance for rear end travel. What part of the country are you in?

 

Move it over to PM, guys. Use this thread only to discuss the mechanics of this sort of conversion.

 

i could be mistaken, but i think DRW 4x4 first gens are worth the most of all first gens. i've seen some for $ 15k!!

it would suck to lower the value of your truck, if that matters to you. but then again, at that rate, you could sell yours w350 and get a SRW w250 and have some cash to spare. not to mention the PITA of all that work. swapping beds doesnt sound fun.

 

I've thought about going to singles on my dually a few times, but then a few months ago i was hauling a 3500 pound Howard Rotavator in the bed, to Long Island NY..

A friend had sold it to a guy there, and i was on the NY thru-way when a
rear tire blew out... It sure was nice to slow down and drive on the other one untill i could get off the thru-way...

I guess i'll stay with my duals...

Robert