Converting a dual rear wheel axle to a single rear wheel

[1964c20]

Hi everyone! I just bought a 1964 Chevy C-20. It has dual rear wheels and I'd like to convert it to single rear wheels. Is this something that can be done easily? All the trucks I've owned have been SRW so I'm not familiar with DRW's. Would I need to replace the whole axle or is there parts I can buy to convert it? I also want to get new wheels for it so how does that factor in with different lug patterns? What is the best option? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Captainfab]

You should be able to just take the dual wheels off and bolt up a standard 8 x 6.5" bolt pattern single wheel. Of course without seeing exactly what you have it is hard to say if there may be any interference issues. Additionally a C20 does not normally have dual wheels, usually C30's.

[1964c20]

Ok. The long bed was taken off and a flatbed was put on it. I'm not sure if I want to keep the flatbed and replace all the wood or try to find a long bed and put it back on?? With what you're saying, will the rear wheels be tracking the same as the front wheels or will they be inward or outward of the front wheels? If they aren't tracking the same as the front, will that be a problem?

[71swb4x4]

Some DRW axles are narrowed. If yours is a C20 it was originally a single rear wheel, so chances are it is stock width and you can probably just bolt a wheel on it and go.

[Captainfab]

I can not answer that question without knowing what differential is under your truck. Is it original or has it been changed at sometime in the last 52 years? Your '64 Chevy C20 should have the Eaton HO52/72 differential and it should be about 65.5" wide WMS to WMS. A Chevy C20 should have trailing arms and coil springs. A C30 Dually will have leaf springs.

Originally Posted by 1964c20

Ok. The long bed was taken off and a flatbed was put on it. I'm not sure if I want to keep the flatbed and replace all the wood or try to find a long bed and put it back on?? With what you're saying, will the rear wheels be tracking the same as the front wheels or will they be inward or outward of the front wheels? If they aren't tracking the same as the front, will that be a problem?

[1964c20]

Ok. Where do I take that measurement from? I'm assuming where the wheel touches the brake drum when you mount it. Also, is there numbers stamped on it somewhere that would tell me for sure what I have?

[andyh1956]

Does your truck have the same Budd rims on the front as the rear as well or does it have a regular C20 SRW style of rim on the front? Usually the Budd rims won't fit over a SRW brake drum.

[Captainfab]

Yes. WMS= wheel mounting surface. That is the correct way to measure a differential.

Does the differential have a round cover on the rear with a fill plug and also a drop out 3rd member on the front side? If so, then it is likely the Eaton HO52/72 that would have originally came in your truck.

Originally Posted by 1964c20

Ok. Where do I take that measurement from? I'm assuming where the wheel touches the brake drum when you mount it. Also, is there numbers stamped on it somewhere that would tell me for sure what I have?

[Softpatch]

Run Single on my Dually
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[1964c20]

My truck does have the budd rims on the front. Can I convert them to regular rims? If so, what all do I have to do? Basically, I'd like it to look like a C-10 when it comes to the wheels. I'm concerned that when I put the SRW on, it's not gonna look right (long lugs and the hub sticking out really far). Is there any way to fix this other than putting a different front suspension and rear axle under it?

[Captainfab]

It does sound like you have a C30. If you are wanting a C10, then you will have to change the differential and the entire front suspension. May as well go discs up front while you''re at it.

[1964c20]

I checked the vin and it says it's a C20. It also has the C20 emblem on the one front fender. Ok, so is the frames on the 60-66 trucks all the same except for short or long bed? I found a '62 C10 frame with the front suspension and rear axle, but the truck had a 6 cylinder and mine has a 283. Will the gears in the rear be ok or would I have to change them? Also, will this stuff bolt right up to my frame since mine's a C20? I'm assuming the only difference between the C10 and C20 is the heavier suspension??

[padresag]

it is possible that someone put a c20 body on it. if it is a chev the ser# should also be stamped on the top of the frame by the steering box. this should match with the last 1/2 of the vin # on the plate. also check what the w/base is. c20m will be 127 and a c30 will be 133 or 157" w/base. lots of things happen in over 50 years!
ron

[Captainfab]

I would not go backwards to a '60-'62 frame. It could be done, but the frames are a bit different. You can not install the front suspension from a '60-'62 under a '63 and up without a great deal of work. It would be much easier to change the front suspension and differential as I mentioned previously with a '71-'87.

Originally Posted by 1964c20

I checked the vin and it says it's a C20. It also has the C20 emblem on the one front fender. Ok, so is the frames on the 60-66 trucks all the same except for short or long bed? I found a '62 C10 frame with the front suspension and rear axle, but the truck had a 6 cylinder and mine has a 283. Will the gears in the rear be ok or would I have to change them? Also, will this stuff bolt right up to my frame since mine's a C20? I'm assuming the only difference between the C10 and C20 is the heavier suspension??

[notsolo]

Does it have leaf springs ? Also 62 frame may have different cab mount location. 71-87 donor truck 5 lug disk with brake booster is a better option...Front and rear track width some times is different, I don't think it matters. Post some photo's...

[1964c20]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice you gave me on the '64 C20. I got a call from the seller. He discovered that the vin on the title doesn't match the truck. It isn't even close! He let me get out of the deal and sent me a refund. At least he was honest. So I used the check and bought a 1966 C10 that was real close to my house (no shipping fees!). Now I don't have to worry about converting the axles! Now I have a new dilemma. The truck doesn't have an engine. I looked at a 327 engine yesterday and I was wondering if anyone can help me decode the numbers I got off of it? I got 3 numbers off the block- 3782870, Y194355 and F022TRB. The crank has the number 2680 on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also, how can I figure out which engine originally came in the 1966. It's a manual with the shifter on the column and has a 12 bolt rear. Thanks!

[jdl71]

3782870 = 1962-5 327

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php

Y194355 = 194355 is likely the partial vin of the vehicle it came out of

F022TRB = F Flint, Michigan assembly, 02/22 Feb 22, I do not find a TRB suffix code. In fact I did not see any suffix code for a 327 on a quick glace

http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php

I'm not aware of any surefire way of knowing what engine originally came in your truck unless it might be on the build sheet, under the seat, which is likely gone.

[VictoriaHardware]

You sure that "T" is not an "I" ? They used I's as 1's . That would translate to Feb 21.

There is a "RB" suffix code in that link- RB 1962 327 h/p, m/t - - full size

[jdl71]

Originally Posted by VictoriaHardware

You sure that "T" is not an "I" ? They used I's as 1's . That would translate to Feb 21.

There is a "RB" suffix code in that link- RB 1962 327 h/p, m/t - - full size

That would make a lot more sense. I missed that entirely.