I need some input on a dilemma. I have two trucks: 1) a very solid 78 F250 4x4 with a fresh 400\4 speed, and 2) a '62 one ton flatbed Chevy. I use both for general hauling but my problem is that neither truck really suits my needs. What I really want is a 4x4 flatbed with a hoist dually. The F250 bed is in really good shape which I would sell. And I'd also sell the Chevy to help fund the project.

Is converting the F250 into a dually feasible? I'm not sure if there are any frame\suspension differences between an F250 and an F350 that would make this not work. Let me hear your thoughts, pro or con.

 

I've owned rearends off both (dana 70's) dually chassis cabs and regular 2wd F350's. All the rears are the same width. Since the duallies were all chassis cabs, apparently they didn't change the width, or at least didn't always change the width. I've also measured one other chassis cab that was also the same width as mine. So all you really need to do is get the dually wheels. I think the brake setups were different on the duallies too, possibly on account of needing to clear the dually wheel setup.

The F250's usually had dana 60 rears and I think the hub to hub is a bit different, but they used the same bed as the F350's so it can't be that different. So if you wanted to you could probably put duals on your 60 if they would clear the brakes. If you want the added weight capacity of the 70 you will need to swap it under there. All my 70's were off narrow frame trucks, not sure if they came under the wider frame as the F250 will have likely had. The chassis cabs and the 2wd F350's had narrower frames for some reason. They are the same width as the highboy frames.

If yours is a 78 I think its probably a loboy so you will have the wider frame.

That would mean to swap in the 70 you will need to cut off the spring pads and weld on new ones at the proper width. Not too bad.

 

Commonly available 10 PR tires can handle 3000+ lbs each, 6000 for the axle. That's what the 245/75/16's are I run are rated. That should handle anything a D60 can handle. Dualies are not so good light in bad weather. Not sure I see the benefit in dualies?

 

i owned a 78 dually that was a propane companys truck as a parts truck, the rear axle was the same, so you can just throw some dually wheels on the back i believe any old ford or dodge will work, and you can run the front wheels like normal or put in wheel spacers to run the dually wheels up front too(easiest) you could find spacers in salvage i imagine or can be bought new but will be pretty pricey. if you go to the parts store and have them pull up pictures of brake rotors they will show a dually rotor with the "spacer" on them. (i know they do for 2wd but i havent looked on 4x4). i think a guy would just have to swap rotors but might have to change spindles(or hubs for 4x4) i havent had a 4x4 yet so im not sure exactly on that part.

 

duallies can save your *** if you have a blowout when hauling a big load

 

good luck w/ putting the duallies on a 78 f250...inner tires IS going to hit outboard edge of leaf spring,this is why FORD makes a cab/chassis as a narrow frame and utilizes a 2-1/4" wide leaf spring...clearance!..it can be done, but you need a set of dual wheel spacers...which I have available in NJ, you can either buy mine or look for another set but you will need a set...ask me how I know this???,... I just dismantled a 78 f250 4wd crew that had a dual wheel set up w/ the 3" spacers....as well as a 77 f250 duallie crew w/ the narrow frame and no spacers...

 

i was goin to put 1ton wheel studs in, they are a bit longer and 9/16 instead of 1/2" . doin this would give more room for shim-type spacers and probably fit the wheels better too.

 

shim type spacers are the suck. They get off center too easily which can cause vibrations and they can make your lugs work themselves loose. I don't think i'd want to use them on a truck you planned on using for heavy enough stuff to want a dually for. But thats just my opinion.

 

X2...better have a lot of faith and good luck too...placing a lot of trust in the longer wheel stud

 

I just got a 1986 F250 6.9 diesel work truck... like with built in side boxes. Main reason I got it was to tow a "rather large" boat. I don't need to go screaming down any freeway as the launching ramp is about 5-8 miles away using back roads. I am worried about getting the boat up and out of the water when the tide is low and the ramp is slippery. We are talking ocean here and seaweed/green slime is very slippery! I am thinking duallys would give me more traction in those situations. Any ideas or places for parts or advice one of you might have? I am not familiar with Ford trucks so start from the beginning! -Dennis in California

 

this is the 70's forum, so any advice you get for your 86 will be accidental or coincidental. lol. If you want a dually you have the easy option, just grab a rear axle off a dually, seeing as how they made duallies in '86. Gonna look weird on a utility bed designed for a SRW though.

As for the boat ramp, dual rear wheels are not going to help at all in that situation. your best bet is to get a 4wd truck if you are that worried about getting stuck. I know lots of people that use 2wd's to tow their boats, though, and they make out alright. If your truck has an open rear diff (which I doubt it did from the factory with the diesel) then adding a limited slip or locker would be a better step than switching to duals.