Hey Folks,

Well as many of you know that have read my threads in the 6.0 or 6.4 section I have been thinking of getting a dually. My problem is I don't want to buy a brand new truck...I would love to have one and could afford one, but being self employed I need to look at the big picture and say I don't need a 8-900 monthly payment to effect my bottom line.

So from there I was looking used, found a couple of nice used 6.4 trucks, they were all 08's except 1 or 2 09's. Again my issue is at 39-45k I may as well bite the bullet and go new. I figured with a 6.4 I would have to do some bullet proofing to get it they way I would want it.

My 06 has been rock solid, it only has 70k on the clock and I know it inside and out, and with all the stuff I have done to it I feel its extremely reliable...I know I don't have studs but its on the list to do.

So my question is I'm really thinking of converting my current truck to a dually so I have a few different ways to go. I can get a dually rear end from a local recycler here cost just for the rear is 2100.00 keep in mind that's just for the part, I will do all the labor myself.

My next thought was to go with a conversion kit from Arrowcraft.com, that kit comes with the adapters, 6 polished aluminum wheels, all the necessary hardware, and dually fenders for right around 2500.00, so the only other expense for me with this kit is tires and paint for the fenders, also I would have to fab up the fuel filler neck cause I have a short bed truck.

Has anyone used this kit from Arrowcraft, are the adapters just a bad idea, am I all f'd up thinking of doing this. Keep in mind I'm not looking for increased capacity, I'm just looking for stability while towing my 5er.

So shoot me some ideas, lets keep it positive, and if I'm crazy feel free to tell me that too.

Sarge

 

I would love to do that to mine and have been kicking the idea around for awhile as well. I think I would go with the factory axle. You may have to fab up a few things, but in the long run I think it would be worthwhile. This is the route that I am going to go whenever I eventually get around to doing it.

 

I think I may go with the Arrow Craft Kit. It looks like Ford uses adapters for the front, and the axle assembly is almost as much as the kit from Arrrowcraft. I have been reading some of the reviews on the kit and people say its well put together and seems as though it works well.

Guess my next question is what is the largest tire you dually guys are running on your rigs. I know I wont be able to get anywhere near what I have now but I was hoping I could go a little larger than stock so the wheel wells don't look empty.

Sarge

 

Quick Bump...Still haven't found anyone who has used this kit that I could actually talk to.

 

Anything over 285mm wide on the dually rims is inviting rubbing without rear spacers. Up front you can run whatever you can clear (dually wheels and spacers or not), but on the rear you're stuck with 6" wheels limiting you to about 11" wide tires, meaning in a practical sense 285mm wide or less. At a 75 aspect ratio, you're limited to 33s or less unless you run spacers.

A kicker is you can't change the 6100# RAGWR on your sticker, so if you get nailed by a DOT cop some where pulling anything that looks commercial you might be in for a long conversation on the side of the road. I know you said you aren't looking for increased capacity, but appearances can cause issues no matter what your intent. If it's just a 5ver RV you're probably fine, and you'd really gain from a 4.10 or 4.30 rear end with a sway bar, but if it looks commercial or smells commercial, that's a convo I would gladly trade up to a 2013 6.2L with 4.30s to avoid. Not a 6.7L unless you're running into the 22k+GCWVR range just because you'll spend 5 years (and most of the warranty) eating up the $8k up front difference in price. If you were looking at F250s on the lot I'd say go with the 6.7L and stick a dealer with a leftover, but all the DRWs I see are tricked out diesel Lariat or KRs so pickings might be slim on getting a good deal.

If you can find an 04-07 rollover DRW it's probably bolt in, maybe the last drive shaft joint will need some work, or just lift the two piece shaft out of the rollover and get the franken-stick balanced at a shop.

You did 155s without studs? Do you have a special seat in the middle to carry around the boys so you can look at them and be amazed with how huge and brassy they are? I'm having nightmares over running an Atlas 40 and SCT towing tune, adding parts list costs up in my head and wondering if the trans will hold up to a mild 65HP tune over the Atlas. You're an inspiration

 

Thanks Tex,

Yeah I am only looking for extra stability while towing the 5er. I do tow my Mustang once and a while but usually its local.

To be honest I've been running the 155's, PM, etc. for almost a year know with a tune from Gear Head with no issues... knock on wood. Keep in mind though I don't beat the wee out of this truck, I use it to pull trailers and that's about it. I do take it out unloaded on occasion, but usually it does have a trailer or something in it or behind it. I am prepared to spend the money when the time comes to install the studs. I'm kind of toying with just doing a EGR cooler delete and see how much farther I can go... not that I'm hoping I break it, but like I said this is why this conversion kind of came up...its that hard for me to walk away from this thing. I treat it well and it returns the favor.

So If I stick with a 285/65/17 I should be good without rubbing. That makes me feel better as I have a leveling kit installed in my truck and I didn't want some dinky tires on it.

Tex I have had my eyes peeled for a wrecked 05-07 Dually short bed but they are hard to find, even a high mileage duallys are still pulling a good buck, and I figured if I get into something like that I would rebuild the rear anyway, and if I find a rear with a 4.10 or 4.30 I will need to regear the front which is going to add to the cost. This is why Im really thinking the Arrowcraft kit is good for me. Either way after my trip to Cape May I will be installing a Helwig Sway Bar in the rear.

Would anyone with a SHORT BED dually be willing to let me use your vin# so I can see if the dually fenders are available through FORD?

And can someone more tech savy than me post a pic or 2 of a short bed dually for me...preferably a side shot so I can see the bed side on the driver side.

Thanks,

Sarge

 

Figured I would give this a bump to the top. Looks like I am going to go with the Arrow Craft Kit, seems to be the biggest bang for the buck.

Can anyone get me the FORD part numbers for the short bed dually fenders?

That would be awesome, or anyone know of someone that may have a short bed dually take off bed?

Seems like these parts are real hard to find up here, I know FORD made them through 08 I think.

Sarge

 

Sarge, that is way to much for the rear end.

Go to car-parts.com and do a search for the rear end. I bet you can find a front and rear dually axle with 4.30's and have them shipped in for $2,000.

Also check craigslist. The last conversion I did, I found a rear axle for $600.

If you are going to do this, take the time and search to find the deal. I found fenders, front knuckles out, and the rear axle for about $1500. $250 for painting the fenders, and about $200 in blocks and u-bolts.

 

A pic:

 

These guys have short bed fenders:

https://www.indoorautopartscny.com/

 

Would need to add the 4.30 gears, and has the smaller brakes, but...

99 Ford Dually Axle

 

Thanks,

Those guys at the parts shop you linked are only about an hour or a little more away from me I'm going to give them a call.

I would still like to find someone that has used this arrow craft kit...it kind of intrigues me a little.

Sarge

 

Yeah, I've never seen or used that kit. It's just a bit to spendy for me. Looks to be a good kit though. I can't say anything looks bad.

 

They don't have any dually fenders just called...bummer. Looks like I need to call Ford and try to talk to someone who will talk to me without having a vin number.


Sarge

 

Bummer. They listed them on the locator too.

Try car-parts.com.

You can search nationwide for anything part related.