Dually Conversion

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wamfire20

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Thinking about turning my 1997 1500 into a dually. It has a 5" lift on it. What all would I need to do this? Would I need a new lift? Any answers would be helpful
 

codered

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it's not suggested since the frame for a 1500 isn't strong enough for 25/3500 stuff. But, you can pull a dually rear axle from a 94-01. if you pull everything from the donor dually, it's just best to buy a dually and work on it.
 
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wamfire20

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Oh yeah that's true. It probably would be a lot easier and cheaper to get a donor. Thank you
 

Johnn123

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it's not suggested since the frame for a 1500 isn't strong enough for 25/3500 stuff. But, you can pull a dually rear axle from a 94-01. if you pull everything from the donor dually, it's just best to buy a dually and work on it.

You can swap 2500/3500 stuff over fine. A few people have done it, Merc225hp on here has done it no problems. Legally it will still be a 1500 however.

Oh yeah that's true. It probably would be a lot easier and cheaper to get a donor. Thank you

All you need is the rear axle and dually box, possibly leaf springs and hangars depending how you wish to mount. You could use your half ton springs and weld a new perch on the axle, however if I were you I would swap leaf spring perches over to your frame and use the 3500 leaves.
 

codered

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You can swap 2500/3500 stuff over fine. A few people have done it, Merc225hp on here has done it no problems. Legally it will still be a 1500 however.







All you need is the rear axle and dually box, possibly leaf springs and hangars depending how you wish to mount. You could use your half ton springs and weld a new perch on the axle, however if I were you I would swap leaf spring perches over to your frame and use the 3500 leaves.

i knew that but if he wants to go into 3500 terriotry with towing and what not. it would be best to build the donor truck.


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Johnn123

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i knew that but if he wants to go into 3500 terriotry with towing and what not. it would be best to build the donor truck.


sent from my brick using clay

Oh ya absolutely, you're right on there!
 

Merc225hp

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it's not suggested since the frame for a 1500 isn't strong enough for 25/3500 stuff. But, you can pull a dually rear axle from a 94-01. if you pull everything from the donor dually, it's just best to buy a dually and work on it.

Thay are?
 
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wamfire20

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Thanks everyone for the help. No I don't want or expect it to perform like a 3500 for towing or hauling. I'd like to keep the lift in the back, what option for the leaf springs would be easier to keep the lift?
 

DodgeTx

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Dont just think about the rear diff, you'd have to change out stuff in the front as well unless you want 5 lug in front and 8 in rear.
 

Johnn123

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Thanks everyone for the help. No I don't want or expect it to perform like a 3500 for towing or hauling. I'd like to keep the lift in the back, what option for the leaf springs would be easier to keep the lift?

To keep the lift you could swap leaf spring perches from the stock 3" on the Dana 80 to 2.5" wide perches. However I'm not sure I would do that with a dually axle, anyone else care to comment on that? If I were you I would just look at getting a 3" add-a-leaf for both sides and adding those to the 3500 leaf pack to get your lift back.

Dont just think about the rear diff, you'd have to change out stuff in the front as well unless you want 5 lug in front and 8 in rear.

A great point I meant to add and forgot to, yes if you're doing the rear you'll want to the front. You'll have different lug patterns if you don't. The front swap benefits far out weigh then rear swap benefits. The Dana 60 front is far superior to the Dana 44 you have now, it is far stronger, better steering and direct bolt in. Yes you can use all your lift parts with this axle as well.
 

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