SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

So I bought this 85' dually on tuesday this week. Later this week I came across an 87' 3/4 ton that ran and drove for a price I couldn't say no to. Plans are to convert the 87' 3/4 to a dually and lower it.

Whats the best way to go??? I am going to do a straight suspension swap up front. I can either swap out spring hangers, rear end, and relocate the shocks or get adapters from Arrowcraft at $417 for the pair.

Is a 3/4 rearend the same diameter as a 1 ton rearend??? Imconcerend about the flip kit and C notch working with the 3/4 ton frame and rear end.

Any advice or tips would be helpful. I have it my head how it will work, just would like to be reassured.

This will be my new tow rig.

Re: SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

personaly Id just do a body swap but as far as swaping from 1t to 3/4t you'll want to swap spindels because the brake calipers mount differently witch may have an effect on the way the 1t rotor fits other wise thats the only differance in the spindles that I've seen the rear you might want to pull a masurement on the sping peartches on the rearends because I think the hangers frame offset is different also your going to want the hydroboost off the 1t for the brakes and steering

Re: SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

If I do a body swap I would never get it finished. I had to have a 350 and tbi. Couldn't find a 87' single cab dually with a small block and automatic so I decided to build one.

Re: SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

I agree with pig rig, I think a body swap would end up being the best thing. Plus if you swap the body you will have the 1 ton frame. If you swap the cab over there is not to much that needs to be taken off to pull the cab. Unless you where going to paint the truck I think you could probably have it running within a month (maybe faster depending on what you know, and how often you work on it)

Re: SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

If I pull it apart guys, I will never get it back together. I know me. I work bymyself. I have a lift and a tractor and have done the body swap before. Im really not worried about a stronger frame or hydo boost brakes. I would probably be taking some springs out in the back and adding helper bags, just for a better ride.

Ive been wanting a single cab dually for a while. Whatever work I do on it, I want to be able to drive it out of the shop that same day.

Will a 1 ton flip kit and c notch fit my frame and rear end???

Re: SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

For the rear end then you are going to want to pull the spring hangers off of the frame and mount them to the 3/4 ton frame. That will be the easiest way to swap in the rear axle.

Now for the front end, I am not a 2wd guy, but I am pretty sure that you will need the A arms out on the 1 ton and swap them onto the 3/4 ton frame.

If you have hydro boost I highly recommend that you use it. If you ever go to put a better engine in there that doesn't have much vacuum then hydro boost will work. And hydro boost really does help with the stopping.

Re: SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

IM thinkin about using steel adapters from arrowcraft on the rear. I have 3 or 4 3/4 ton rear ends and would like to find a low 3 # gear ratio,. That SRW 87' has a 4:10 gear. I drove it for the first time and was like, thats not gonna work! May put a 700r4 in there. I probably have a half dozen or so. Gotta get those rpm's down. Its wound out at 65 mph.

Re: SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

I am not a fan of adapters, I guess they would be fine to use as long as you don't plan to tow much.

Re: SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

For the front just unbolt the whole crossmember and swap it. Since u got a tractor u can drag it around. Getting it in the new one would require help but it cold be done. Maybe the same in the rear gas axe the rivets on the hangers and pull it leafs hangers and all. Use bolts on the new one. Just a thougjt.
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Re: SRW to DRW Conversion...... Need some opinions
 

ON THE FRONT END ALL YOU NEED TO SWAP IS: "the spindels "

in actualty you dont have to even do that but the 1t spindles will give you bigger brakes for the heaver rotors with the dual wheel hub

the 3/4t A arms and balljoints are the same as the 1t

why make the job harder then it is