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 > Changing DRW to SRWs

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SoCalDesertRider

SanDiego, CA, USA

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Posted: 06/12/08 08:40am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

hopak wrote:

The present (drw) rims are interchangeable front and rear and the inner tire tracks the front. I wonder what would happen if I just bolted the rear rim facing outwards give me a nice wide track for stability but would that over torque the axle and bearings?
This subject has been covered pretty well in another recent topic about changing dual rears to singles for increased fuel mileage. Some interesting results. I will find the topic and add a link to it here later.

link to topic

* This post was edited 06/12/08 08:52am by SoCalDesertRider *


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BoilerEE

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Posted: 06/12/08 09:42am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

hopak wrote:

I wonder what would happen if I just bolted the rear rim facing outwards give me a nice wide track for stability but would that over torque the axle and bearings?


Yes, I think it would put a big moment on the bearings and probably not do you any good. The rear axle on a dually "sees" the dual tires as a single tire with zero offset, so you'd essentially be replacing that single zero-offset wheel with a 5"+ offset. If you're going to do it, I'd say you should just go with the 19.5" idea and lose the front hub spacers. I'd be interested to see what the actual width difference is between the SRW and DRW axles measured flange to flange. Have you considered calling Rickson and seeing if they have any experience with the conversion?
BTW, I think you wouldn't have to replace your bed on your Dodge - I had an '01 and as I recall those wheel flares are just slapped on the side of a SRW bed, so you should be able to just un-bolt 'em and do a little bodywork to fill the holes.


'07.5 GMC 3500 / '04 S&S 11DB


btggraphix

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Posted: 06/12/08 10:08am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Thanks for the link SoCalDR...I somehow missed that thread! Now if I could just find a set of 2 19.5" rims with the right offset, and some studded 19.5" snow tires I'd be in business..... Except in my case I just don't take the camper off much anyway and one set of rears wouldn't carry enough weight to have the camper on.

It does seem like a great idea for those who do drive their trucks fairly often unloaded (I think I would get the two extra rims with the right offset or spacers though, to keep things in line with the bearings correctly.)

Good threads. I've seen a lot of links to the wide tires, and a lot of pictures of super single trucks, but I haven't seen much as far as the super single WHEELS (19.5 and greater) or the complete picture of "wheel x, with tire Y, on truck Z all worked perfectly" but I do think most of them would be on wheels of 20", 22.5" or 24/24.5" sizes....not 16/16.5" or 19.5". Of course, I suppose this stuff mostly needs to be found on truck forums, not here.

jefe 4x4

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Posted: 06/12/08 10:50am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hopak,
I have 12" wide rear wheels with a 4.5" off set. (see my thread on "Redneck Duallies" or "super singles"). The load rating is 3600 lbs. each. 7200 lbs. on the rear axle is plenty enough capacity for me. They do move the load bearing center outward putting a lever action on the bearings. Unlike others here, I don't think it's going to be a problem. So far, so good. Those Dana 80 axles are full-floating with very large bearings, made for a big 'ol load. If it becomes a problem, I'll post it here.
Another option for you (since you live in No. Ca.) is Stockton Wheel. They've been around 125 years and have so many options for custom wheels. Get on their website and select heavy duty truck wheels. They make them up to 14" wide. It's the offset you want to get right if you actually go to SRW.
regards, as always, jefe


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hopak

Point Reyes Station, Ca. / Crestone Co.

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Posted: 06/14/08 08:58am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Great posts, lots to consider thanks!!


2002 Dodge,diesel, 3500,4x4,auto/od,ex,cab, 01 Bigfoot 25c 10.5

mrblaine

SoCal

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Posted: 06/14/08 01:58pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

BoilerEE wrote:

hopak wrote:

I wonder what would happen if I just bolted the rear rim facing outwards give me a nice wide track for stability but would that over torque the axle and bearings?


Yes, I think it would put a big moment on the bearings and probably not do you any good. The rear axle on a dually "sees" the dual tires as a single tire with zero offset, so you'd essentially be replacing that single zero-offset wheel with a 5"+ offset.


How does that differ from what the front unit bearings see as far as moments go?


05 Dodge 3500 4x4 DRW Long Bed 4dr
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hopak

Point Reyes Station, Ca. / Crestone Co.

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Posted: 06/14/08 02:22pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

On my dodge the front and back rims are interchangeable. The inner rim tracks the fronts and a stock 2500 SRW I believe uses the same rims as a DRW. So it seems like the torque on the bearings should be the same as a stock 2500 (using only 1 wheel on the rear of my DRW).
But I like the idea of mounting the wheel with the flair outwards for better stability with a camper. That should just reverse the torque,or will it somehow increase the torque?

SoCalDesertRider

SanDiego, CA, USA

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Posted: 06/14/08 03:11pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

hopak wrote:

...a stock 2500 SRW I believe uses the same rims as a DRW. So it seems like the torque on the bearings should be the same as a stock 2500 (using only 1 wheel on the rear of my DRW).
A 2500 (or 3500 srw) does NOT use the same wheels as a dually, not even close.

SoCalDesertRider

SanDiego, CA, USA

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Posted: 06/14/08 03:20pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

jefe 4x4 wrote:

Hopak,
I have 12" wide rear wheels with a 4.5" off set. (see my thread on "Redneck Duallies" or "super singles"). The load rating is 3600 lbs. each. 7200 lbs. on the rear axle is plenty enough capacity for me. They do move the load bearing center outward putting a lever action on the bearings. Unlike others here, I don't think it's going to be a problem. So far, so good. Those Dana 80 axles are full-floating with very large bearings, made for a big 'ol load. If it becomes a problem, I'll post it here.
Another option for you (since you live in No. Ca.) is Stockton Wheel. They've been around 125 years and have so many options for custom wheels. Get on their website and select heavy duty truck wheels. They make them up to 14" wide. It's the offset you want to get right if you actually go to SRW.
regards, as always, jefe
Jefe, I did something similar to what you did with your truck, using Stockton Wheels but I stayed with the 16" wheel diameter and 285 tire width. My BFG's are rated 3750 lbs each and the wheels are rated 4000 each. My Stocktons have similar offset as the stock wheels so no change in stress on the hub bearings. Very happy with both the Stocktons and the BFG's. This allows me just enough load rating to carry the utility body and tow the trailer loaded at the same time. I am overweight on the axle itself though.

SoCalDesertRider

SanDiego, CA, USA

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Posted: 06/14/08 03:26pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

BoilerEE wrote:

I'd be interested to see what the actual width difference is between the SRW and DRW axles measured flange to flange.
Can't speak for all trucks, but for my year range of truck ('86-'97 F350), using the Visteon 10.25" rear axle, the hub to hub width difference between the DRW and SRW versions of that axle is 4 inches total. The load rating difference is 2000 lbs (6250 srw vs 8250 drw).

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