I paid 197 to get the front driveshaft lengthened. with a new u-joint.
I went to my local guy that owns a driveline and prop shop

 

9200 - 8500 = 700 lbs. That's HUGE.

The GVWR of a 1997 F-350 Crew Cab 4x4 is 9200 lbs. That means you have ZERO net carrying capacity, assuming the 87 is nearly the same as the 97, where both are OBS.

A seat filling 9 passengers x 150 lbs per passenger is 1,350 lbs overloaded, with nothing in the bed, and assumes everyone is skinny. A more realistic 6 passengers x 200 lbs is still 1,200 lbs overloaded.

The OBS Ford 4x4 crew cabs were notoriously lacking in weight carrying capacity. Ford's book said 3,450 lbs max capacity BEFORE any option was added to a bare bones truck, and assumed a completely stripped XL with the lightest gas engine, and 2wd. By the time that truck turned into a 4WD diesel XLT, the SRW net carrying capacity was reduced to just 1,200 lbs.

The 700lbs your third row cab adds, is 60% of 1,200. Put 3 people in the seat, and all of the NCC is consumed. But that is actually irrelevant, because based on your scale ticket of 9,200 lbs, all of your carrying capacity is already consumed with the truck empty, nevermind any passengers, much less cargo or trailer tongue weight.

As you know, Ford didn't offer a 4x4 crew cab dually during the OBS era. People with mad skills like you have built them, and people with money had them custom built by Centurion, Marmon Harrington, etc. Your similar idea of a dually conversion is one way to overcome Ford's famously inadequate carrying capacity of the SRW OBS crew cab diesel 4x4s.

 

From thaless pictures I'm liking the dually. I agree it kind of brings the rounded body style and long 6 doors together. Plus the whole weight issue and potential GVWR issue. How much would the dually add to it anyway you think?

 

regarding weight. the heaviest thing ill be towing is my 33' offshore. with a triple axle trailer.
this truck is a vacation truck for the family, so 2 kids in the back @ 29 lbs a piece
the 16 yr old weighs in at a buck 40, and the 8 year old weighs in at less than 80.
im 210, and mama is 125,
when I had the twins I needed more room, so I started building 6 doors instead of buying a SUV. im not really concerned about the weight.


so yesterday I got the driveshafts done.
I had the front of the rear driveshaft lengthened so I had to make a new carrier bearing support.
I need new pig tails for my headlights so I didn't get to install them.
but I was able to drive it out of the shop yesterday.

 

I know we have a lot of dually lovers here but I prefer the Single. Think it just looks cleaner, better.

If you would ever be towing heavy it would be useful but if not.................... Hey finding a place to park that thing is going to be tough enough without making it wider

 

I just wish he'd get that truck out of the way, it's blocking my view.

 

ammo, cash or grass, no one views for free!

 

a much better look.
having a real hard time not lifting it
perhaps in the future.

 

Looking goooood. Gonna fab up some step bars for the 3rd doors or get something that will run front to back?

 

I kinda like it the way it is. like a reverse hydro!
just kidding, yea eventually I will, not high on the priority list.

 

To me it's amazing, I wish that I had half that talent. Good job.

 

right rear windows doneski!
when I hit the right rear window from my door panel, both rear right windows go up/down.
can independently operated as well.

 

inside electrical, done
off to the fuel fill, rear tail lights and fuel sender

 

To me, this is absolutely incredible. I see the "erector set" analogy but there is no way I would start something like this. I'm with "mudflap" above.

For what it's worth, I vote dually as well. Primarily because those axles are in place and it will look great-especially if you decide to lift it.

 

I will be buying rims that convert the DRW to SRW for now.


if I find the use of a dually, I can always choose that route, easily.


im starting a new engine build shortly. getting it ready for the next round of mods. but that wont be for a few years.


too many projects. not enough "ME's"