dually stepside

[camsc10]

I have a swb 71 350 and automatic. I plan on putting a dually rear axle in it and putting a step side box on it then extending the fenders. I was wondering if anyone has done that yet or if anyone knows anyone that has? I haven't been able to find one yet. Im new to the forum and want to say thanks

[no1udknow]

I have a neighbor who put a dually axle under his fleetside and then used some step fenders as extensions.

[camsc10]

Thanks I've seen a couple like that. By I have yet to see anyone do a short wheel base step side dually. When he went with that axlebdo you know if he still went with the coil springs or leaf? Im pretty sure those rear ends are built for leaf springs.

[57taskforce]

You can buy dually adapters a lot easier than swapping the axle. Late model trucks use the same 14 bolt axle for both drw and srw. (Obviously some dually are dana 80s and not aam 14 bolts) but the adapters are what makes a dually not the axle is what I'm trying to say. My brother had an 88 light duty 6 lug 3/4 ton that someone put dually adapters and a dually bed on, so I know it can be done without an axle swap.

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by camsc10

Thanks I've seen a couple like that. By I have yet to see anyone do a short wheel base step side dually. When he went with that axlebdo you know if he still went with the coil springs or leaf? Im pretty sure those rear ends are built for leaf springs.

I actually haven't talked to the guy, I just see it parked around the corner in his driveway or on the street. I saw the hood up the other day, I was going to stop by and talk to him but I was on the way to pick up my kids.

[cleanfreak]

A friend of mind did a 81 dually short stepper a while back , had my hand in the original idea (hold my beer and watch this!). Used a long wheelbase cab & chassis , shortened , with the "narrow" dually rear , sectioned the bed in the middle instead of cutting the fenders , put about 6" in the middle , small tubs in the bed. Looked right , I have pictures somewhere if your interested. I would look at a normal 8 bolt rear with longer studs , could give the results we had - Good luck - Bob

[cleanfreak]

Found it

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by cleanfreak

Found it

That's bad-axed! One of the few pickups I've seen that I might want stacks on.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

I have a neighbor who put a dually axle under his fleetside and then used some step fenders as extensions.

Well that looks cool, I also am interested in if he has coil or leafs, I wonder if the wheels are "tucked in" at all. The factory duallys that are based on fleetsides appear to have wheels that stick out further with wider outer fenders.

Hey if you drive up in a 67-72 pickup he might be a little more at ease.

[franken]

Cab and chassis 14 bolts in squares used different hubs that made the wheel mounting surface (WMS) to WMS measurement narrower and better suited to DRW. I think the C&C used the same leaf pad center to center as the 67-72.

A tape measure and march through the scrapyard may get a 14 bolt that bolts in cheap.

[tommys72]

Originally Posted by cleanfreak

Found it

Awesome

[camsc10]

If I were to get the dually adapters what should I get it goes up to 3".. At this point I feel wider Is better seeing I'm going to extend the fenders either way...

[SS Tim]

Used to be done when there were heavy duty working stepsides around. Dodge used a spacer (similar to the pictures below) on the regular production fender and a dedicated step as I recall. Chevrolet to my knowledge did not offer dual wheels on 67-88 stepsides but it is possible. More likely any found would be from an upfitter or custom parts. Here are a couple of pictures for you to look over. One is period wrecker conversion with dual spacers and steps of unknown origin and the other was a mid 50's Chevy or GMC truck IIRC.

The biggest issue is why? Even then it was tough to bulk out all but the heaviest/densest loads in a stepside to really need duals, even on the C30/9'. If you are just going for a "look" consider the downsides carefully.

If you locate a set of spacers or literature of any sort for a 67-72 or plan on tooling them please contact me. A dually CST/Cheyenne 30 4x4 9'stepside would be a cool hauler for the dogs.

[camsc10]

Okay I found some adapters up to 3" which one would I want to get?.. (edited WTB) I want to do it because its different. I'm going to put a 12 valve Cummins in it with 5" exhaust all the way back. I want the exhaust to come out of the bed though not as stacks but out the tailgate. It will be different.

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