SRW vs DRW
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SRW vs DRW
Normally I'd do a search for what I'm looking for, but with everything for a single generation jumbled into a 3,000 page pile, it'd take me months of reading and browsing.
I'm about to come into possession of a 1987 F250, and its current config is 2wd SRW. I know the rear axle it has can run a DRW setup, but what about the front? What do I need to change to accommodate the dished wheels? Spindle, hub, ?
Thanks in advance while I sloooooooooooooowly work my way through 3,000 pages of everything 87-96.
I'm about to come into possession of a 1987 F250, and its current config is 2wd SRW. I know the rear axle it has can run a DRW setup, but what about the front? What do I need to change to accommodate the dished wheels? Spindle, hub, ?
Thanks in advance while I sloooooooooooooowly work my way through 3,000 pages of everything 87-96.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
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From: Central Indiana
Ya know, this comes up too often.
Your rear axle is not the same as a dually axle. Put a dually wheel on the rear and it will rub. A dually pickup axle is wider to accommodate the dually wheels.
And no, don't even think about cheeseball aluminum spacers from ebay.
Front hubs from a 2wd F350 will get the front but you need a 2wd or 4wd dually rear axle and not one from a chassis cab. That axle won't work right for you, either. Wrong width.
Here's a better thought - look around for a dually F350 to buy. It would be cheaper in the long run.
either that, or buy a (very expensive but done right) dually conversion kit from http://www.arrowcraft.com/products.php#kits Arrowcraft.
Just sayin'
Your rear axle is not the same as a dually axle. Put a dually wheel on the rear and it will rub. A dually pickup axle is wider to accommodate the dually wheels.
And no, don't even think about cheeseball aluminum spacers from ebay.
Front hubs from a 2wd F350 will get the front but you need a 2wd or 4wd dually rear axle and not one from a chassis cab. That axle won't work right for you, either. Wrong width.
Here's a better thought - look around for a dually F350 to buy. It would be cheaper in the long run.
either that, or buy a (very expensive but done right) dually conversion kit from http://www.arrowcraft.com/products.php#kits Arrowcraft.
Just sayin'
Last edited by raystankewitz; Aug 21, 2013 at 03:16 AM. Reason: Added Arrowcraft information
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,345
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From: Mi'kma'ki
1.an f350 dually pickup only came as a 2wd truck pre '99. (you had to buy the incomplete vehicle -cab n chassis - no bed, for the 4wd option.)
2.an f250 w/ it's front ttb leads to a much lower sitting 4wd dually over an f350 drw cab n chassis (or converted 350 pickup) even though you get the less favorable ttb axle,it's lower ride height makes for easier loading the bed and the fuel economy is better than a higher sitting truck as well.
if both trucks are just 2wd's,then they're identical trucks anyway and it doesn't matter which way ya go.just go on price.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
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From: Central Indiana
there are a couple reasons (advantages imho) to convert the 250 to drw over buying a 350.
1.an f350 dually pickup only came as a 2wd truck pre '99. (you had to buy the incomplete vehicle -cab n chassis - no bed, for the 4wd option.)
2.an f250 w/ it's front ttb leads to a much lower sitting 4wd dually over an f350 drw cab n chassis (or converted 350 pickup) even though you get the less favorable ttb axle,it's lower ride height makes for easier loading the bed and the fuel economy is better than a higher sitting truck as well.
if both trucks are just 2wd's,then they're identical trucks anyway and it doesn't matter which way ya go.just go on price.
1.an f350 dually pickup only came as a 2wd truck pre '99. (you had to buy the incomplete vehicle -cab n chassis - no bed, for the 4wd option.)
2.an f250 w/ it's front ttb leads to a much lower sitting 4wd dually over an f350 drw cab n chassis (or converted 350 pickup) even though you get the less favorable ttb axle,it's lower ride height makes for easier loading the bed and the fuel economy is better than a higher sitting truck as well.
if both trucks are just 2wd's,then they're identical trucks anyway and it doesn't matter which way ya go.just go on price.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
Not to be a downer, but why would you want to make a F250 a DRW? Changing it over doesn't raise the GVWR, actually lowers the payload and tow ratings (the DRW setup adds weight to the truck), lowers fuel economy, and increases maintenance costs (6 tires vs. 4). Since a F250 has a relatively low GVWR, I can't see the DRW adding any significant advantage in terms of stability at any factory-rated load.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
Not to be a downer, but why would you want to make a F250 a DRW? Changing it over doesn't raise the GVWR, actually lowers the payload and tow ratings (the DRW setup adds weight to the truck), lowers fuel economy, and increases maintenance costs (6 tires vs. 4). Since a F250 has a relatively low GVWR, I can't see the DRW adding any significant advantage in terms of stability at any factory-rated load.
But why not just buy an F350 2wd there are plenty of them around.
Craig
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Junior User
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Ya know, this comes up too often.
Your rear axle is not the same as a dually axle. Put a dually wheel on the rear and it will rub. A dually pickup axle is wider to accommodate the dually wheels.
And no, don't even think about cheeseball aluminum spacers from ebay.
Front hubs from a 2wd F350 will get the front but you need a 2wd or 4wd dually rear axle and not one from a chassis cab. That axle won't work right for you, either. Wrong width.
Here's a better thought - look around for a dually F350 to buy. It would be cheaper in the long run.
either that, or buy a (very expensive but done right) dually conversion kit from Adaptors, Wheels, Duality Fenders and Complete Kits - Arrowcraft :: Helping You Handle the Road for over 30 years! Arrowcraft.
Just sayin'
Your rear axle is not the same as a dually axle. Put a dually wheel on the rear and it will rub. A dually pickup axle is wider to accommodate the dually wheels.
And no, don't even think about cheeseball aluminum spacers from ebay.
Front hubs from a 2wd F350 will get the front but you need a 2wd or 4wd dually rear axle and not one from a chassis cab. That axle won't work right for you, either. Wrong width.
Here's a better thought - look around for a dually F350 to buy. It would be cheaper in the long run.
either that, or buy a (very expensive but done right) dually conversion kit from Adaptors, Wheels, Duality Fenders and Complete Kits - Arrowcraft :: Helping You Handle the Road for over 30 years! Arrowcraft.
Just sayin'
I'm getting the F250 for an absolute steal (trading my Ranger for it), I was just thinking ahead to stuff that I might be doing with it, and the thought came across. Figured I'd start looking for the info. If I was actually throwing down cash to buy it, it'd be a different story.
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Joined: May 2013
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From: Quebec, Canada
I've never done a conversion like this, but I used to have an old F-150 that I built up (Lifted, big tires, intake...etc...) These days you could go out and buy a Raptor. If I want to be able to haul loads like an 18-wheeler, i'm gonna add another axle, maybe put a lift and use 24" rims. Or why don't I just go to the next auction and buy an old Ford 8000 for $9000 and be done with it. Building a truck and buying a truck are two different things, the feeling you get from building one is a heck of a lot better than buying one.
Sorry, little bit of a rant. A lot of people bug me about that. Anyways, my truck has the Ford Sterling 10.25 limited slip (4.10 gearing) rated at 7400. My GVWR is 10000 LBS. Why wouldn't the GVWR change if the OP did the conversion to his F-250, especially if its same motor, springs, axle etc... (cloned F-350) Might not change on the registration papers, but physically yes.
Forgot to add you can take corners like a champ with a dually!
Sorry, little bit of a rant. A lot of people bug me about that. Anyways, my truck has the Ford Sterling 10.25 limited slip (4.10 gearing) rated at 7400. My GVWR is 10000 LBS. Why wouldn't the GVWR change if the OP did the conversion to his F-250, especially if its same motor, springs, axle etc... (cloned F-350) Might not change on the registration papers, but physically yes.
Forgot to add you can take corners like a champ with a dually!
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From: Gilbert, PA
...Anyways, my truck has the Ford Sterling 10.25 limited slip (4.10 gearing) rated at 7400. My GVWR is 10000 LBS. Why wouldn't the GVWR change if the OP did the conversion to his F-250, especially if its same motor, springs, axle etc... (cloned F-350) Might not change on the registration papers, but physically yes.
At the end of the day what the truck is REGISTERED to haul is all that matters.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2013
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From: Quebec, Canada
4.10 gearing 7400LBS Ford Limited Slip (I'm assuming it's in LBS, here we work in KGs, so..... LOL)
Ford Axle Code Chart .: Articles
True enough, but here it also depends on whether you haul for personal or commercial reasons. Everywhere is different
BTW, I am not sure if it is true, but the D5 axle code might only be in our Canadian trucks, can't remember where I heard that but correct me if I'm wrong...
Edit: I understand that just because the axle can "support" that weight, doesn't mean the rest of the truck can. The GVWR (10000LBS) is the important part. So if the truck weighs 7000LBS (example) leaves only 3000LBS for payload right?
Sorry if it makes no sense, I'm used to KG's...
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
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From: Gilbert, PA
Axle code D5
4.10 gearing 7400LBS Ford Limited Slip (I'm assuming it's in LBS, here we work in KGs, so..... LOL)
Ford Axle Code Chart .: Articles
True enough, but here it also depends on whether you haul for personal or commercial reasons. Everywhere is different
BTW, I am not sure if it is true, but the D5 axle code might only be in our Canadian trucks, can't remember where I heard that but correct me if I'm wrong...
4.10 gearing 7400LBS Ford Limited Slip (I'm assuming it's in LBS, here we work in KGs, so..... LOL)
Ford Axle Code Chart .: Articles
True enough, but here it also depends on whether you haul for personal or commercial reasons. Everywhere is different
BTW, I am not sure if it is true, but the D5 axle code might only be in our Canadian trucks, can't remember where I heard that but correct me if I'm wrong...
HA, 7400lbs I am pretty sure you will bend or brake something
Freshman User
Joined: May 2013
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From: Quebec, Canada
ah, for sure! I don't think the bed would even enjoy that LOL Anyways, my original point is that if the OP is thinking about converting a SRW to a DRW, got the funds, time and patience (and some help) GO FOR IT. Around here you don't see many dualies anymore let alone older ones.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,119
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From: Hartland, WI
IMO the only reason to have a dually is if you plan on using a slide-in camper or plan on hauling a 5th wheel. Going from a Ranger to an F250 is a huge leap in capability, and unless you're hauling horses or equipment on a regular basis, you should be fine as-is.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Western Central NV
I agree with you. Unless your planning on hauling big loads keeping the Ranger might be the better option.
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98 Ranger, 2.5L 4cyl, 5spd, 2wd. Single cab stepside. It's been a great little truck, has over 235k and still runs like new and gets 28mpg on the highway. I'd love to keep it, but my business has been growing and it's just too small now.