Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

Gvwr

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 31, 2007 | 04:02 PM
  #16  
Diesel Fiend's Avatar
Diesel Fiend
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
I don't think I'll need to go tandem, but if this is a 350 axle, then I should be able to put duallies on there instead of heavy load tires right? Thanks for the info Dave, I can't believe the wealth of info you have about these trucks. Is there any difference betwwen frames on the 250 and 350 then? To think I considered buying a dodge, but only for the Cummins TD.
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2007 | 05:33 PM
  #17  
Dave Sponaugle's Avatar
Dave Sponaugle
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Club FTE Silver Member

Dual wheels will not fit on a single rear wheel truck.
Dually axle housings are 4" wider than a SRW axle housing is.
All diesel equiped Fords 250 or 350 have the same rear axle, springs and frame if it has a pickup box mounted on it when it leaves the factory.
All trucks that left the factory with a pickup box mounted on them have 37.5" wide frames.
The F 350 is available as a cab and chassis, nothing mounted on the back, it has a 34" wide flat frame behind the cab.
The cab and chassis trucks have the same length axle housing as the SRW pickups do, they can run duals because of the narrow frame.
The spring perches are mounted in a different location on the cab and chassis axle housings since the springs are closer together.
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2007 | 06:07 PM
  #18  
Diesel Fiend's Avatar
Diesel Fiend
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
I am planning on getting a dumping box on the truck, so room will be made for them as far as the body goes. But are you saying that I can't use duals because the frame is too wide?
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2007 | 10:56 PM
  #19  
Dave Sponaugle's Avatar
Dave Sponaugle
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Club FTE Silver Member

Since the frame is wider, the rear springs are also wider.
The tires will hit the springs, hard.

A single rear wheel axle housing is 53.75" from brake back plate to brake back plate, frame is 37.5" wide outside to outside.
A dually rear axle housing is 57.75" back plate to back plate and the frame also measures 37.5" outside to outside.
A cab and chassis axle is 53.75" from back plate to back plate, but since the frame measures 34" from outside to outside the springs are also closer together by 1.75" on each side.
So the spring perches on the axle are also closer together by 3.5".
That is how a cab and chassis can run dual wheels with a 53.75" long axle.
All 250 trucks have 37.5" frames, and there is a hump over the rear axle in the frame.
All F350 trucks with a pickup box installed have a 37.5" frame and the frame hump over the rear axle.
A board will not lay flat on top of the entire frame rail.

All cab and chassis F350 trucks have a 34" wide frame and the frame is straight from front to back on the top edge.
If you lay a 2x4 on top of the frame rail it will be touch from one end to the other.

The inside dual wheel will lack about 1 inch of being able to bolt up against the drum.
Since you need clearance between the tires and springs, the dually axle is 2" longer on each side.

For about 400 dollars you can buy spacers to run dual wheels on your axle.
But the spacer shifts the wheel center outside the hub center.
That causes the entire load, or most of the load to be supported by only the outside wheel bearing.

Spacers are not bad if you are towing a trailer and want the extra stability of dual wheels.
But if you are hauling the load on the truck, they are not such a good option.
The best option is to find a factory dually axle.
Everything is the same except the axle housing is 4" wider between the back plates and the axle shafts are 2" longer each.
The rest of the parts will swap from one to the other.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 11:04 AM
  #20  
66f25red's Avatar
66f25red
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: San Jose , ca
Thumbs up Dual wheels

Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
Since the frame is wider, the rear springs are also wider.
The tires will hit the springs, hard.

A single rear wheel axle housing is 53.75" from brake back plate to brake back plate, frame is 37.5" wide outside to outside.
A dually rear axle housing is 57.75" back plate to back plate and the frame also measures 37.5" outside to outside.
A cab and chassis axle is 53.75" from back plate to back plate, but since the frame measures 34" from outside to outside the springs are also closer together by 1.75" on each side.
So the spring perches on the axle are also closer together by 3.5".
That is how a cab and chassis can run dual wheels with a 53.75" long axle.
All 250 trucks have 37.5" frames, and there is a hump over the rear axle in the frame.
All F350 trucks with a pickup box installed have a 37.5" frame and the frame hump over the rear axle.
A board will not lay flat on top of the entire frame rail.

All cab and chassis F350 trucks have a 34" wide frame and the frame is straight from front to back on the top edge.

If you lay a 2x4 on top of the frame rail it will be touch from one end to the other.

The inside dual wheel will lack about 1 inch of being able to bolt up against the drum.
Since you need clearance between the tires and springs, the dually axle is 2" longer on each side.

For about 400 dollars you can buy spacers to run dual wheels on your axle.
But the spacer shifts the wheel center outside the hub center.
That causes the entire load, or most of the load to be supported by only the outside wheel bearing.

Spacers are not bad if you are towing a trailer and want the extra stability of dual wheels.
But if you are hauling the load on the truck, they are not such a good option.
The best option is to find a factory dually axle.
Everything is the same except the axle housing is 4" wider between the back plates and the axle shafts are 2" longer each.
The rest of the parts will swap from one to the other.
Great analysis!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LV Dan
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
9
Feb 14, 2013 11:45 AM
PEI
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
18
Apr 28, 2012 11:34 AM
V10man
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Jul 28, 2004 09:22 AM
Urban_Prisoner
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
12
Jun 13, 2003 09:18 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:00 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE