looks like i chose correctly guys.check this out.
i found this @ duallyscene.com
i dunno if this was caused by something else and its just a slander against a competitor or not of course.but sure makes ya think twice (have to wounder if they think it would be worth the lawsuit if its not true.)
anyway.in case someone else in the future needs front adapters,take it how you will:

i do know after seeing this pic im glad im home waiting for UPS to deliver the Arrowcraft AA-4 Series Front Adapters today.

 

you know,im also thinking about the rear adapters,when many people have read you shouldn't use them for added weight use,but just for stability use.
well when you look at those things that witney sells(Ricka),those are made so you run just standard dual wheels/not budd style.
those things look scary,and i wounder if people have mistakenly tried and used those things for hauling.those are night and day different from adapters so you can run twin budds.
that makes sense why star has used them on his wrecker for well over 100k miles without issue.im wondering if those things gave all rear dual adapters a bad rap.

i sure do wish i did my home work better though before going to look for a DRW pickup axle lol.but star's personal use and i recall 87crew had a buddy who uses them with no issues either.so cant say im too concerned.
though an actual DRW pickup axle is planned latter on i think to be safe.id like LS and the larger brakes anyway.
im going to to be watching things like a hawk i tell ya though.

if anyone has FIRST HAND or has seen first hand,rear dually adapters get someone in trouble (excluding the Rika adapters-iv no doubt there are scary things that have happened with those),for the love of god please speak up.
and im not the least concerned really if wheel bearings only last 50k miles either.just as long as the wheels cant come off is all i care about lol.i can change wheel bearings,if those with first hand experience actually know they do ware out faster-iv yet to read this from someone who has done it.just the theory of added pressure on the outside bearing causing them to ware.

 

hey guys.check out my new toys.
ups just delivered.im heading out to have 'em all put on.
bbl with a pic.

 

well nothings ever easy.
the rear wheel adapters use a larger stud and require a different lug nut.they were not on them when i got the axle w/adapters.
$11 each at ford stearlership.
good news is,they told me what they are.
so in case anyone else runs into this;
14mm X 2.0
to score them at the salvage yard you need:
99-02 super duty:
F250 HD (over 8500 gvw) WITH aluminum rims
F350-550
your looking for the type with a built on washer for budd style rims (same lug nuts used for f250 w/aluminum rims)
hope this helps.least these rear adapters i have require these.
of course everything's closed now lol.
and of course the few places i managed to call just before closing told me,id have to come see and paw threw a bucket.oh joy.i predict lots of running around tomorrow.
good news is i was told 50 cents each @ one place and 1$ each at another.

 

Okay, what now? The standard dual wheels are the budd-style, at least those on my truck sure as heck look like they are - granted they are hub-piloted, but still budd-style. Or you mean the Ricka adapters bolt on top of the single wheels and allow you to bolt up another pair of single wheels on top of them, as in they go between the inboard and outboard rear wheel instead of between the hub flange and the inboard wheel?

 

yeah standard DRW's are budd style.
apparently those things (ricka adapters) seem to use standard ford SRW rims.yeah i guess they must bolt between the two rims......or something.who knows lol.
not budd style wheels-says you cant even use them with those adapters.

edit.yeah lol.exactly like that.check it out:
http://www.manta.com/c/mmqqdcj/ricka-manufacturing-inc


to top it off,they're expensive too.scary stuff out there.

 

Actually that's sorta how some older budd wheels got bolted on them bigger trucks - you slip the inboard wheel on first, then you install the stud extensions that also double up as lugnuts for the inboard wheel, then you slip the outboard wheel on those, then use a set of regular lugnuts to secure that.

I never knew those adapters are available for 8-lug trucks tho, seems kinda silly to me...

 

what do ya think of my $130 ebay simulators? they seem pretty decent to me.i see everything is stainless but the small lug nut caps are plastic.the whole assembly is stainless,just the individual caps themselves.i guess they cant rust either,i wounder if the chrome plating will peel off over time.the grills on this body style are the same way i guess and they seem to hold up fine.
you can be honest and let me know if you think i was took. iv never had anything to compare 'em too like this so i dunno.look pretty good to me though especially for the $.

man i was so anxious to get this together.been waiting for awhile to go duals.
ah well.hopefully tomorrow all comes together.

edit;
hey check this out:
Pacific Dualies offers a limited lifetime warranty on all of its wheel simulator products. If any part of your wheel simulators rust or discolors we will replace them free of charge.
i just read that in the FAQ section here:
http://www.pacific-dualies.com/support/

lol nothing like researching after paying. honestly the good deal and knowing they were stainless and bolt on sold me on 'em anyway.

 

Them wheel covers look nearly identical to what I have, size and shape and bolt holes pattern and all. Our center caps do differ tho, mine slip on the studs and then you put the lugnuts on, whereas from what I see yours have that ring thing that goes on top of the wheel cover, then the lugnuts go on top of that, then the center caps go on top of the lugnuts and bolt to the ring thing - yours will make for a cleaner look than mine, and likely less rusting issues on the studs too.

Oh, and them AA4 hub extenders, does it say anywhere on them where they were made?

 

im now running a 4x4 dually guys.
took so long today and had to get to work after its so dark for pics.im afraid all iv got is teaser pics for tonight.but here she is with new shiny duals.

lol sorry.but i took a few,and these ones came out the best.the flash isnt good for so far away.
doesn't even give a good idea,just a rough idea of what she looks like now.ah well,another day coming.



LCAM,
you know i didn't even think to check that out! i can tell you the things are HEAVY!
i'll check the paperwork that came with 'em.maybe it's on that.

one thing i noticed right off.i have a better turning radius! quite a change really.i was surprised.thats a huge unexpected benefit.
just when i was finally getting used to this things poor (wide) turning radius too lol.

another thing i notice,these small (225's) look even shorter with two side by side now lol.ahh well.my back thanks me for dropping her down an inch when loading wood.

 

Man them wheels look small now... Shiney tho, real shiney, and I guess shiney is good? lol

 

Lookin good. Wait until you see the difference with a load on. I like the stability of a duallie.

 

Yeah, no kiddin' - everyone warned me about how top-heavy big slide-ins are, but even tho I got me a 10-footer I barely feel it on windy country roads - and I don't even slow down for "sharp" turns unless the recommended speed for them is like 15 below whatever the main speed limit is (which is actually my cruise setting at all times, speed limit or 55 mph, whichever is lower).

 

its cool to load up and not have these short tires show anything at all, were before they really squatted.
this is a cool upgrade.im liking it.

 

how bout some daytime pics, and some inbtwn the tires pics?