Dually conversion, rethought (maybe)

[fordwheelinman]

The thought just reappeared in my mind of converting my old 78 to a dually when i put my flat bed on, true i loose my bitchin wheels and 33's, but itd be kinda fun, and technically would still increase my traction over stock (which will be much needed if i decide to swap my 400 for my 460). I cant recall any one suggesting this before, and if they have i apologize. But what if you were to take a set of true dually rims, cut the centers out, and weld in a new center with your bolt pattern on it? You would be transferring the load from both wheels directly to the wheel mounting surface. You wouldnt be extending anything of the axle over stock length. You wouldnt even be using any of those store bought adapters that many people dislike.While it may not be the most simplistic idea, it seems to be the more correct way to convert a SRW to a DRW without actually swapping out for a dually axle, which we all know is the true correct way. Let me know what you think, good, bad, im a dumbass shut the hell up, im open to all thoughts here. FWM.

 

[baddis]

bad bad things can happen if you don't get the center welded in square. like wiping out a wheel bearing and loosing an axle. if it is a 3/4 ton just use longer studs

 

[fordwheelinman]

tis a lowly half ton, But almost a 3/4, and i realize the consequences of not have the centers....centered (not square). I can buy 4 dually wheels a hell of a lot cheaper than i can buy a 3/4 or one ton axle and then set it up as a dually, plus if i was going through that much trouble id swap the springs out at the same time so then id really be able to handle some weight. I can get some centers precission machined, and i could get the dually wheels expertly cut out, im just wondering why ive never heard anyone suggest this before. Or if its even an alternative to buying the axle and setting it up. Just a thought, anyone else have any?

 

[shizzy]

sounds like a lott of work ($$$) when swapping the whole rear out would probably only involve a new rear u joint

 

[fordwheelinman]

Thats the luxury of being in good with the director of mechanical trades at my tech school. I can have the centers made for nothing, and have the wheels cut out for next to nothing. A dually axle around here for my truck is somewhere in the range or 500-8000 dollars, and then id be stuck with a dually rear. Unless i went with longer studs on a non dually, but that brings up a whole new set of problems. Dually and non dually rims of the 8 lug sort, not being able to rotate my tires except than side to side. Having WAY more rims and tires than i have room for. I already am at capacity around here with two sets for my truck, recentered duallys i could at least through on the back of my 79 to aid in traction for the 429. Im gonna look into the cost of each option and report back, but it still seems like a better option than those adapters you can buy.