Just wondering what (if any) the axle width diffence was in a 1 ton with dual vs. single rear wheels? If you were to change a drw to srw (and srw bed), would the stock wheels work, or different backspacing be needed?

 

Well for one, a dually rim would probably look sort of strange by itself on a rear axle. As far as I know, a Dana 80 is a Dana 80 regardless if it's in a 3500 or a HO 2500.

 

The rears are the same width. The difference is the way the rims are made, and one that's turned in. If you ever really look at it closely, you will see the centerline between the 2 dually tires is the same as the centerline of the SRW tire.

Chris

 

A rear axle on a DRW is wider than on the SRW, I do believe. The backspacing is very different between the wheels on a SRW and the inside of a DRW. On the DRW the inside tire sits in just about the same spot as the tire on an SRW. That is why them tires stick outs so dang far on a dually.

 

Perk, I think Scrambler is concerned with the actual width of the axle. Im with Stamey,,,, a dana80=dana80. If they were diff. lengths, they would have diff. names.

I think you would be ok on the rear. Find some 2500 rims, and go for it. Only thing is, the front hubs are different. you will have to rob some off a 2500, or buy them somewhere.

 

That is what I was trying to explain, They ARE different lengths. The tube lengths are different Dana 80 refers to pumpkin size. A Dana 60 front axle for a Dodge is very different than a Dana 60 for a Ford. As far as the width of the axle or length of the tubes, on a DRW vs SRW, I believe that they are different, but I am not positive, ie I don't own both, and haven't measured for myself. This is only what I have heard.

 

Just a note. When I bought my truck I traded a identically equipped 2000 gas job in. I just put brand new BFG tires on my trade and could not order the new ride with BFG tires..so along with my Ranch-hand front bumper we swapped wheels and tires too. When we tried putting the new diesel wheels on the gas job they would not slide all the way in on the front hubs. The back spacing was different. The service manager concluded that they install the same rear and front axle in the dually as the SRW diesels (wider) and then just add the gassers front hubs to make the brakes work. Therefore if the service managers theory is right the Dana 80 is the same width in both DRW and SRW and the Dana 60 front is built in different widths.
BTW: I am looking for a set of chrome factory wheels from a gasser for my truck for the different back spacing. I think that this will fix my rubbing problem with my 315-75-16's

 

In my first post, by stock wheels, I meant stock SRW wheels (2500), guess I didn't make that clear. I rotated my tires last night for the first time since buying it used. In the rear, after the rotor, there is a chunk of steel, maybe 3-4 inches long, that the studs mount to. Just looking at it, the space after the rotor looks way too long for the srw wheels to fit under a srw bed. On the front axle, the wheel studs look to be mounted on an extension from another set of wheel studs. From what I remember (wasn't paying attention), the extension may be the hub housing. Does this sound right?

 

You asked if stock 2500 wheels would work to convert to SRW.
What I found was there are two different stock wheels for the 2500.
One for gas trucks.
One for diesel trucks.
which do you have?
The difference is backspacing. About 1 1/2"
The gas wheels widen the track of the truck.
But..I looked at my brothers DRW rear and compared it to my SRW rear and see no difference as far as spacers go. But it seems that the front hub on his truck has some sort of a additional spacer.
Hope this helps.

 

The front has to have a spacer to take out all the offset that the rims have. The rear axles should be the same, but the studs may be different. The 3500's have lug nuts with a flat collar on them, and the 2500's are normal. I don't know if the size is the same or not.