Worth the effort?

[jerryleejr]

I’ve stumbled across what I believe is a decent deal on a 3500 CC. The catch is its SRW. I’ve never done a conversion to DRW nor 19.5” wheels. However using OEM parts will increase payload 2K for this model year and put me more comfortably where I need to be at a significant savings over a new truck. Just making sure the initial savings is worth it and not cause headaches down the road...

JJ

[Cummins12V98]

rjstractor wrote:
I think the OP might have been contemplating a switch to DRW or 19.5s, not both.

Got it!

[jerryleejr]

carringb wrote:

bucky wrote:
Don't forget the front spacers, new front wheels, and a bed. Might be cheaper to keep looking for a real dually.

Front end doesn’t need to change. I originally swapped my front end over to dually rotors and wheels, but the 235 tires were too skinny for my liking for some of the places I go. I switched to 265 tires but they’re a little too wide for 6.5” dually wheels, and I didn’t like the sidewall flex while cornering hard. So ended up going back to SRW rotors so I could run 8” wheels. Hard cornering was much better after that. I carry an adapter to use the dually spare up front.

The rear fenders probably will cost more than axle swap or adapter kit, but dually beds are easier to find used because so many duallies get flat-bed conversions. And there’s options for bolt-on fenders too.

It’s a chassis cab truck...

[carringb]

bucky wrote:
Don't forget the front spacers, new front wheels, and a bed. Might be cheaper to keep looking for a real dually.

Front end doesn’t need to change. I originally swapped my front end over to dually rotors and wheels, but the 235 tires were too skinny for my liking for some of the places I go. I switched to 265 tires but they’re a little too wide for 6.5” dually wheels, and I didn’t like the sidewall flex while cornering hard. So ended up going back to SRW rotors so I could run 8” wheels. Hard cornering was much better after that. I carry an adapter to use the dually spare up front.

The rear fenders probably will cost more than axle swap or adapter kit, but dually beds are easier to find used because so many duallies get flat-bed conversions. And there’s options for bolt-on fenders too.

[Grit_dog]

jerryleejr wrote:

C Schomer wrote:
That sounds fun but I would check the axle weight capacity to be sure it’s worth continuing. Craig

The conversion would include the upgraded axle....

JJ

Aside from width there is generally no “upgrade” between srw and drw rear axles.

[Grit_dog]

Generally a conversion is not the most outright economical choice.
It certainly is not with your lack of mechanical knowledge.
19.5s are easy.
But there’s more to consider, as in what payload you’ll be carrying, mostly.
All that aside, any “deal” on a good 3500 anything (save for 6.0/6.4 Powerstroke) is worth buying. If for no more than making a buck on. Truck prices are high right now.

[jerryleejr]

rjstractor wrote:
I think the OP might have been contemplating a switch to DRW or 19.5s, not both.

That is correct sorry for the confusion...

JJ

[rjstractor]

I think the OP might have been contemplating a switch to DRW or 19.5s, not both.

[Cummins12V98]

jerryleejr wrote:

MFL wrote:
A bit more info would help. What 3500 truck, brand/year, and what do you plan to tow with it?

Had a camp neighbor next to me with a converted 350 van, towing a little mini trailer.



Jerry

It’s a 4th Gen Ram 3500 CC and would be hauling 5-5500 in the bed and towing a small utility trailer. Most do the same with the 3500 DRW’s which why I’m looking at the conversion...

Please tell why you would need 19.5's? My 15 RAM DRW has factory 17's ands a LOT of tire capacity with having full RAWR of 9,750# on the rear tires with a 6k pin weight.

[bucky]

Don't forget the front spacers, new front wheels, and a bed. Might be cheaper to keep looking for a real dually.

[jerryleejr]

carringb wrote:
There’s 2 ways to covert. Buy the Arrowcraft kit and use the existing axle, but it might not have much reserve capacity left. It’s nearly as easy to just swap in a dually axle.

FWIW - I originally converted my can with the Arrowcraft kit. No issues with that kit, but my axle was a Dana 70 and was was still pushing a it 7,800# rating. One trip i spilt my diff carrier in half once when I jumped the van going a wee bit too fast, with a trailer in tow on a hitch extension. Then another trip I sheared the pinion gear, sending my driveline across the highway, when I did a 3rd to 1st WOT downshift with torque management turned off, when I went to pass a Honda Civic on a steep uphill while towing the travel trailer.

So now I have a dually Dana 80 axle. If I break this one, I’ll try the Dana S110 next, since my rear axle weight does top 13,000 pounds at times

My understanding the current axle has a 11k rating...

JJ

[carringb]

There’s 2 ways to covert. Buy the Arrowcraft kit and use the existing axle, but it might not have much reserve capacity left. It’s nearly as easy to just swap in a dually axle.

FWIW - I originally converted my can with the Arrowcraft kit. No issues with that kit, but my axle was a Dana 70 and was was still pushing a it 7,800# rating. One trip i spilt my diff carrier in half once when I jumped the van going a wee bit too fast, with a trailer in tow on a hitch extension. Then another trip I sheared the pinion gear, sending my driveline across the highway, when I did a 3rd to 1st WOT downshift with torque management turned off, when I went to pass a Honda Civic on a steep uphill while towing the travel trailer.

So now I have a dually Dana 80 axle. If I break this one, I’ll try the Dana S110 next, since my rear axle weight does top 13,000 pounds at times

[MFL]

It sounds like a worthwhile upgrade, on a later model truck. The guy with the van in pic told me the cost of kit (I don't remember), and not a big deal to convert. I think cost was less than I expected, but you have likely checked on that.

Jerry

[jerryleejr]

C Schomer wrote:
That sounds fun but I would check the axle weight capacity to be sure it’s worth continuing. Craig

The conversion would include the upgraded axle....

JJ

[C_Schomer]

That sounds fun but I would check the axle weight capacity to be sure it’s worth continuing. Craig