Dually Swap?
 

I'm making my 79 Silverado K10 into a K30 by dually axles and 1 ton springs, actually 1.5 ton springs :devil: but i have a problem. As usual. I have a 14 BFF rear dually axle. But a 1/2 ton front 10 bolt. Can i convert it to a dually front axle? Or am i stuck trying to find a dana 60 front dually axle? Been lookin at CL for month.
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Re: Dually Swap?
 

where is jasper, i know a dude that has some, but they aint cheap!

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4.5 hours from Cincinnati... 1.5 from Louisville, KY
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Re: Dually Swap?
 

Find the 60. Way Better and really no big deal to swap.

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how far to cincy, im about 30 minutes north of there, last time i was up at his place he had 2, for 1200 each

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I can't find one on cl with reasonable drivin distance. 1200 each OMG!
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yup, like i said, not cheap!! i can usually find them on cl around here but thats about what they bring, 800-1200

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Wonder what it'd take to convert my 10 bolt. It's a good axle and i don't wheel. Just tow.
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dude, check this itsh out!
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/pts/3951332026.html

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even better
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/pts/3915947747.html

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79, meatwagon has a reasonable one there. Clean up and fix the chassis, then swap your body over. I personally wouldn't want to put all that driveline on those 1/2 ton suspension.

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I seen the one in hamilton it looks like just what i need. Except twice what i can afford, and doesn't know the gear ratio. Which is making me look like adapters are way to go. Think i'll hit up pukele see what happens
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Re: Dually Swap?
 

dude here ya go! in brookville!

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/pts/3895202836.html

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I'll see if i can find a set of hubs for that one. I'd love an even trade. But can i put those hubs on my 10 bolt? And it's combined 1/2 ton and 1 ton springs in rear and 4" lift springs in front. So no half ton suspension to worry 'bout
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hmm.... probably not, i forgot you didnt have a 60 for a second, i had a brainfart!

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Lol it's ok. My dually that's a 1 ton which is what i'm gettin parts offa is 2wd >:( but for 800 in southern indiana and rust free almost i said heck ya!! But i need a 60 first and if i gotta get that, i'd rather go ahead and get a dually one so it's a one time thing know what i mean?
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Re: Dually Swap?
 

i know what you mean, i am gathering parts to convert my dually to 4x4, but as we can see, the right parts are expensive, and im not useing anything but the right parts! so i have to save my pennies for a dually 60

Re: Dually Swap?
 

I might have found an option??

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255536

Here?
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Hmm, interesting
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There is a lot of diffrences between a 1/2 ton and a one ton. First thing is the frame. The one ton is a lot deeper and thicker. The steering box to frame connection on one tons was known to fail. What will happen if one ton parts are placed on a 1/2 ton frame? The spring mounts are diffrent. The brake system is diffrent, the one ton uses the hydboost on all of the units. The 14 bolt rear was used on the cab/chassis units. The Dana 70 was used on the pickup models. The track is diffrent from the 14 bolt to the Dana. The wheels will be too close to the frame to use a pickup box on a 14 bolt truck. It is a lot easer to find a junk one ton, even if it's only the frame, and use the 1/2 ton cab and parts to make a truck.....

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That rolling chassis is pretty darn cheap if you ask me. I am getting ready to sell my other 84 K30 parts truck but its not going that cheap.

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If you are just towing and don't really need the 4WD why not just fix up the 2WD dually?

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I won't have a 2wd truck. Been there got stuck too many times. I'd rather have 4wd and not use it than need it and not have it. And i'm taking the doghouse, cab, and flat bed off the one ton, Using vacuum brakes From the 1/2 ton until i can convert that over as all that is new to me. It'll all be 1ton pretty much except the frame. I think what will work for me is taking my 10 bolt front, putting 8lug axle shafts in it so it's "3/4" ton, then using dually adapters. It all sounds good in my head lol.

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What about car-part.com ?

Try prirate4x4.com too, trouble is they take dually front ends and swap em over to single rear wheel setups for the rock crawlers

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"converting" a half ton to a one ton dually sounds about the hardest, and stupidest, way to get a one tone dually. And in the end, you won't be able to tow any more than you could if you left the truck alone. Regardless of what you do, you will never be able to tow more than the truck is rated for on the trucks data plate, what the hitch is rated for, and what the trailer is rated for. You can put all the leafsprings in the world, if the truck scales over what it's rated, you're illegal and a trooper will keep you off the road until you are legal.


What are you towing that you *need* a one ton super dually? And how have you managed to get by up until now?

Here's another thing:

Six new tires: $1200
Used 14BFF: $500
Gear lube, drums, shoes, ect to freshen up that 14B: $250

So now you're TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS out of pocket, and you still don't have a one ton super dually. And you're prolly gonna have to have a driveshaft made.


You can buy running driving C30's for $2000 all day long. Nice ones for $3000 are all over the place.

Re: Dually Swap?
 

Already have everything. So no more outta pocket. Half way theough a 4spd/205 swap so gonna need new shafts anyway. I want to do this so i'm going to. I asked the people here a question about converting my 10 bolt front axle to dually hubs. Not what people opinions o what i should do with my money. My bills get paid every month and my wife and i keep food on the table. I put 10% of my weekly check into my 401k and make sure everything is takin care of. After that i do as i please. If you wana give me advice fine idc. I'm doing this just to do it. Unless you're going to help me with my 10b problem send me a pm.
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Re: Dually Swap?
 

I've never had a problem with my 1/2 ton 2wd.

Well, here's the thing about it, people are giving you crap about this because a 10 bolt is a light duty axle, there is no dually conversion for it. IIRC, 3/4 ton 4WD have a Dana 44 front axle, not a 10 bolt.

1 tons have a heavier duty frame.

C30's actually have a highest GVWR of all the squares, they are rated at 12000 gross. K30's are actually rated lower.

Just the facts, man. You asked for help.

Re: Dually Swap?
 

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...its78Chevy.jpg

This is for a 1978 model year truck

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My trailer fully loaded with all 3 horses and equipment is 7k... So it'll be alright i think... Don't dana 44 and 10 bolt parts interchange?
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I have no idea if they interchange, I'd google that. Based off the premise that they are 2 different axles designed by 2 different manufacturers, I would say no.

Don't forget GVWR includes the truck weight, so add that in.

My C10 in bone stock form (with 5 leaf rear springs) handles a 4500lb load great, can barely tell it's there. Thats a little over 8k combination, truck, trailer, and scrap car. Towed a Ford explorer once, that was real scary. Had to be over 10k. It pushed me thru a stop sign (No trailer brakes).

Honestly, I think 4WD is an attitude thing. No offense to you, since I don't know you, but it seems 4WD is so popular because of the "go anywhere" marketing of 4WD vehicles. I get passed my people in jeeps and suv's all the time in raging snowstorms. Like thats real safe.

My personal opinion, I would keep the C30 as a tow pig and the K10 as a fun truck. But thats just me. Do what you will, I've thought breifly about a dually conversion myself but seems overkill. An easier solution would be 3/4 ton springs front and rear on the 1/2 ton axles, It'll ride a little rougher but will not sag when you load it up with gear and trailer.

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I can't afford 3 trucks lol. Insurance by myself (just ranger full coverage) is 500 every 6 months. All 3 would be about 800. Also i jus want 1. Looking at everything on the 2 the c30 will go on the 1/2 ton frame and it'll stay 1/2 ton until i can get all the bugs worked out. (4 spd swap and everythin associated with that. Inthe mean time i'll keep puttin back for a d60 like meatwagon. Do it right the first time! It will become a k30 just 1/2 ton frame. Now that i got a game plan we'll see what happens.
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Re: Dually Swap?
 

nevermind

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What do you tow that you need a dually?

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Hey man, if you're hellbent to do something, you have to do it.
We had a dually jacked blazer running around our town years ago, bright yellow w/38" looked insane. Sometimes its all about doing something different not what you need.
You have to have a d44 8 lug at least and you could probably use wheel spacers to get the bud wheels on.
I would strongly recommend the d60, usually the dually ones are more common and cheaper, I see them for $300-$400ea. (I have 2). The single fronts are where the money is.
The rear is where your work will be, the shock mounts and the spring pads will have to be relocated. Both are mounted inboard further on a 1 ton.
I have never swapped a dually rear into a 1/2-3/4 ton frame, I am just offering you some info that may help you decide what to do.
I would agree that dually swap will be a little work by the end.

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Thank's oneton. It will be a lot of work. But... Hell why not? Got the axle and will power. Do it to it!! Jacked up dually blazer?? Sounds different, unique, BADA$$!!
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Re: Dually Swap?
 

Temporary solution!! Found my adapters this'll be a temporary solution until i can get a dana 60. Sad part is i can't even afford this lol.

http://www.ezaccessory.com/Wheel_Ada...6550-8650v.htm
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Well you better get used to being nickled and dimed because projects like what you want to do tend to yank on your pockets every step of the way not to mention any fabrication work.
I don't think anyone meant to bring you down with your project as much as trying to make you aware of the 'real life' work/ money involved.
Do yourself a favor and at least wait till you get all your ducks in a row before spending money on those adapters. Get that rear mocked up and figured out and when you're ready for wheels/ tires in the front cross that bridge then. You just may have found a d60 by then. Make sense?
This last truck I just finished took me over a year before it was driven again, it will take some time. That rear isn't going to fall into place, that is your mountain right now. Just like the others have mentioned you will also have springs (you have the short rear springs on a short bed), brakes, driveshafts, shocks, tires etc to deal with still. As far as GVW capacity goes I wouldn't be hauling pallets of brick or towing skid steers, keep it reasonable and you'll be fine.
I'm not trying to bring you down either but go into your project prepared, thats all.

Re: Dually Swap?
 

x2 Running in the to same problem doing my Cummins swap, nickle an dime stuff adds up quick.

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I know and it sucks, but what can ya do? Lille bit here some there. And it'll get done. Just later than sooner lol
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personally id just buy a dually. the amount of money your looking at spending to converting a 1/2 to 1ton will add up quickly. also the labor. my dad has a c30, hes slowly restoring the body...and not by his choice. unless you buy brand new, trying to find a decent dually bed, and if you get lucky with the bed trying to find good quality rear fenders is not easy.