So as the title says I will be attempting the dually conversion on my truck. It looks like I will be going with the arrow craft kit to bein with as this is the most cost effective option. If I decide to re-gear I may do a complete rear end swap. The nice thing about that is I will still be able to use the wheels I get with the arrow craft kit.

So my hang ups are as follows:

1. Which dually fender to choose, I was hoping the 11-16 fenders were more readily available used so I could get a drivers side 1 to see how they would fit and what if any mods to the fuel door I would have to make. I could just get the old style SB dually fenders from Arrow craft and fab up a fuel fill pipe and be done, but I wanted my truck to have a mix of old and new.

2. what is the max tire size I can get away with on a dually without needing wheel spacers in the rear. The recommended tire size for the Eagle wheels they provide is 235/80/17, seems kind of small. Will a 265/75/17 work? They're taller and slightly wider.

I guess my other option would be just put a Helwig sway bar in the back and see what happens and then go from there.

Here is the truck as it sits right now:

 

Looking forward to see the progress! I know you've been talking about this for a loooonnng time.


A 20" wheel will offer much more larger (mainly taller but also wider) sizes as there are no really tall skinny tires. Figure it's not too much bigger than a 450/550 wheel and those look good too!

 

Hey sarge,looks like im doing one also in a few mnths. Are you going to use your orig rear diff or get a dually rear diff, i would like to get some adapters and throw some wheels on and fenders but also thought about going to a bigger brake setup than the current f250s,not sure if the 350s are that much bigger.

 

Here you go sarge, steel adapters instead of alum, got for front also to get the full dually setup USA Made Dually Wheel Adapters

 

on my 04, i think the max is 265's but that may even be pushing it. i have 315/75/16s on my stock wheels, but run 2" rear spacers.

for fenders, i like both, just depends on the theme of the truck. if it's lifted or even stock but more of the 4x4 offroad type of look, then the old style, like my 04 dually has.

if it's lowered, or has big wheels, more of a street look type of truck, i think the newer round fenders look really good on duallys done in that style. either way i like both, i know there are people that HATE the newer style fenders lol.

as far as my spacers, i haul and tow, as well as i know plenty of people that do as well, and we all have never had issues with aluminum spacers, but GOOD QUALITY made in USA ones, not cheap ebay chinese ones. and hub-centric 100% for sure. steel are great also, no real pro to run aluminum as far as i know, other than they're cheaper. but that discussion can go like a "what type of oil is best for a 6.0" thread, some will 100% disagree aluminum spacers are bad and WILL break, but like i said i have had absolutely zero issues with mine, and i got mine from a reputable guy that makes spacers and deals with a lot of very high end shops that i personally know, so i feel safe with my hub-centric aluminum spacers.

 

04s did not come with the 17s right,started in 05? Id go with a good American made product as well,i haul heavy every day, hotshot flatbed so I'm very interested in the best built that can hold the weight be alum or steel, who did you get your alum ones from?

 

a guy named Caleb at Shifted Industries. had a few issues with him sending the wrong one then he kind of got an attitude with me essentially implying i was an idiot because he thought he was right and i wasn't (although i was right weather he believes it to this day or not lol) but in the end he made it right and sent me the right set. i'd order from him again because it's a quality product.

and yea, 17s started in 05, and i think on duallys in 05 the bolt pattern changed to 8x200 vs 99-04 which is 8x170. i wish i had 17s because there are more tire selections for them, i wanted 37x12.50x17, but had to stick with 315/75/16s (essentially equal to 35x12.50x16). i'd have searched for a set of stock 17s but then i had to deal with the 8x200 pattern and since i already had to run spacers, i didn't want to run adapters to change from 170 to 200 plus spacers lol.

here is the facebook page for Shifted Industies. He's located in Florida.

https://www.facebook.com/Shifted-Ind...3652597886129/

 

Here is another american made, steel lifetime warranty,hubcentric,any thickness youll need to mnt wheels on it.

 

Ill give them a call, The nice thing about the arrow craft kit is they provide wheels with the kit, not that its a huge deal but its a little cheaper that way, but I hear you on steel vs. aluminum. Id really like to get a new rear end and be done with it, but financially its just not in the cards.

It would be nice to hear from someone who has used the Arrow Craft stuff, it looks like good quality stuff, hers the link. www.arrowcraft.com

Guess Ive still got somethings to iron out before I do or do not do this project.

Sarge

 

From what ive been reading,2 diff bolt patterns, one from like 97 to 2004 then one for 2005 to 2011, then got diff size rims like a 16-17, i dont see a problem getting the 05 spacers and going to a junkyard getting 05 17" rims and putting those chrome simulators on, fenders co all over the internet.

 

Wedge,

You are correct, there was a pattern change in 05, they also changed the suspension, and brakes as well, which required a 17" wheel as the base wheel, not 16 like 04-back. I could always put the older style dually fenders on the truck that doesn't bother me, I was just hoping not to have to fool with the fuel filler by using the 11-16 fenders. I have yet to call Arrow Craft or the folks in your link.

Like I said I may just try a Helwig sway bar and see how it goes. I'm looking for the dually conversion as a stability thing not a haul more weight thing, although a heavier 5er may be in my future.

And just for your information the Arrow Craft Kit is 100% Made in the USA and they use Steel

Sarge

 

Can anyone confirm or deny if the regular dually and the short bed duallys used the same dually fender?

Thanks,

Sarge

 

The short bed duallies I've seen have the fuel filler door in the front of the driver's side fender, so at least that one is different. The last one I saw was a 2003-ish V10 Lariat.

 

ok that helps thanks. I though so too, I just wasn't sure if they shared the same part number or not and the dealer cut the hole. This is becoming more of a headache than its worth I think.

Sarge

 

My fuel filler is in the fender.

My honest opinion is that it is a waste of money. Put that money away, along with continuous savings, and go get a new dually in a few years when you're done with your truck.

But some people like projects and that's cool too.