Dodge Owner Forums

Dodge Trucks => 2nd Gen Rams => Topic started by: RAGINRAM on December 03, 2009, 07:14:49 pm

Title: Dually to single conversion
Post by: RAGINRAM on December 03, 2009, 07:14:49 pm
So I was searching around and was thinking of converting my dually to a single wheel just for the looks well and the fack Id be hauling less weight there for creating more power and less drag.  This should be as easy as taking off the fenders putting on some flares and removing the adapter plate and getting a new set of wheels and tires or just wheels actually and possibly finding someone who wants to swap parts.  Just pondering though.  Also I was possibly thinking about changing my rear end gears from 4:10 to somthing a little more fuel friendly. ::?:
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: Kilch123 on December 03, 2009, 07:28:13 pm
If you do that, I may be interested in the "take off" parts...

I do know that you will be plugging a bunch of holes in the fenders, and you'll need a different fuel filler hose (maybe be able to fab one from what you have)

I think the axles are actually different (the dually axle is wider) but I'm not sure on that one

3.55 gears will definitely get better mileage, but changing will throw off your shift points and speedo
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: Buford445 on December 03, 2009, 07:30:56 pm
I have read that under the rear fenders that the bode has bigger wheelwells, that it is easier to swap beds, and I think that the rear axle is narrower or wider on the dually
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: mayfair on December 03, 2009, 07:38:43 pm
Hmmmmm ... :scratch:

 :31:
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: RAGINRAM on December 03, 2009, 07:39:27 pm
Ill have to look into the axle width, I read a forum where it said the axle is the same width I guess it will take a little extra researching, Im not set on doing this yet just pondering and would be real easy if there was someone who wanted to swap gear all six wheels for four and I think I could cover up the holes with some fender flares I like them anyways
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: kenz on December 04, 2009, 01:25:11 am
From what I've read the 14 bolt axle is the same width weather SRW or DRW. But the brakes/hubs are thicker so you would have to swap to the SRW brake/hub. The Dana 70HD dually axle is supposed to be alot wider than the SRW axle, but never seen one so don't know. For the front I believe you can just remove the hub extension. Would also need 4 new wheels. When you remove the dually fenders the wheel well is cut WAY bigger than normal and is pre-drilled for the mounting bolts. Take alot of body work to still use the box. Most recommend replacing the box with a standard long box, like from a utility box/converter company. Switching to a 3:55 gear would be excellent for daily driving, just remember with the swap to SRW and gear swap, tow capacity will drop and weight carrying capacity will drop also.
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: RAGINRAM on December 04, 2009, 01:47:02 am
 :argh: too many choices ya know, do you think it would be worth converting, or should I just change gears? Its not that I dont like the DRW just thinking of mileage. and I might want to put a small lift on it and a lift on a DRW is going to be a little more costly
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: Kilch123 on December 04, 2009, 03:58:39 am
I'm kinda biased, but I'd leave it DRW

With the mods in my sig, and driving it hard all the time (mix of city and highway) I get about 195 MPG with the 3.55 gears and a 5 speed manual trans

Switching to Single is not gonna make much difference mileage wise (it'll probably take 10 years to make up for the cost of the swap)
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: spencea15 on December 04, 2009, 04:23:54 am
Tom You get 195 mpg, that is great you most be able to go like 3000 between fill ups
I'm kinda biased, but I'd leave it DRW

With the mods in my sig, and driving it hard all the time (mix of city and highway) I get about 195 MPG with the 3.55 gears and a 5 speed manual trans

Switching to Single is not gonna make much difference mileage wise (it'll probably take 10 years to make up for the cost of the swap)
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: Kilch123 on December 04, 2009, 04:26:10 am
oops - missed a decimal point

Thanks!

That's 19.5
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: ChinookFE on December 04, 2009, 09:20:12 am
I would just swap gears....I don't see the point in doing all that work and spending all that money to save a couple bucks at the pump.  Dodge already makes a longbed SRW truck, I would just sell the dually and buy one of them if you really want it.  Why waste all the time and effort to make something that is already mass produced.
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: RAGINRAM on December 04, 2009, 11:57:24 am
Yeah I might just increase tire size to offset the gears
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: FroneDaddy on December 04, 2009, 02:27:10 pm
You're gonna lose mileage with bigger tires.
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: RAGINRAM on December 04, 2009, 02:41:34 pm
Well I was just thinking it would lower the rpms at higher speeds I had a 96 with 38 s on it that made a huge difference at higher speeds 
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: FroneDaddy on December 04, 2009, 03:42:31 pm
Yes it will lower rpm's, however you are increasing your rolling resistance by making more contact with the pavement.

I can't explain the technical aspect of it that well, maybe someone will chime in and be able to explain it better.
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: Cumminalong on December 04, 2009, 06:43:53 pm
Here's what you gotta look at whenever it comes to mileage increases, which are usually minimal.....

How much would you spend on product A, B, C and D?

How much fuel would that product buy?

How much of an improvement did you really get?

How long would it REALLY take to pay off?

Whenever you start talking gear swaps for mileage, it doesn't work out well because you have to take into account.....

1 - The price of a set of gears (per axle)
2 - The price of a seal or rebuild kit (per axle)
3 - The price of the labor per axle
4 - The price of the fluids

Typically, a gear swap on a 4WD truck goes like this, PER AXLE

Gear set: $200
Install Kit: $60 - $180
Labor: $300 - $500 per axle
Fluids: $24 - $72

Total per axle: $584 - $952

Here's a hypothetical example.....

Let's say you pay the mid point price PER AXLE, so for a 4WD you just paid $1536.

Let's say fuel costs $2.65 per gallon. That means you could have bought 579 gallons of fuel. At 30 gals of fuel, that's 19.3 tanks of fuel.

So, let's say the you gain 1 MPG by doing this swap and you're now getting 15 MPG.

In order for that gear swap to pay for itself, with a 1 MPG improvement, an original cost per mile of $0.189, a new cost per mile of $0.176....saving you 1.3 cents per mile. You'd have to drive 118,153 miles to break even.

Best bet is properly inflating the tires, keeping an air filter clean, using the lightest weigh oil possible, removing all the excess BS that isn't needed in that monster tool box that just stores junk, keeping the RPM's under 2000, boost in the single digits and EGT's in the 550 - 700* range.

 :up:
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: 1SlowFormula on December 04, 2009, 07:16:50 pm
well said...

But that still won't stop me from buying the MPG-MAX from Snow Performance...

Well worth the money for the performance gains, lower EGT's, and milage increase that all come with the same price, lol...
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: RAGINRAM on December 04, 2009, 07:21:10 pm
Thanks for the good info, hey I'm headed to Dothan right now I'll be back at 6 or so if that delete comes in will I be able to pick it up then? :up:
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: Cumminalong on December 04, 2009, 07:22:29 pm
Absolutely!

I'll give you a call if it comes in.

It's showing as out for delivery right now.

:up:
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: bikemancs on December 05, 2009, 09:31:48 am
Here's what you gotta look at whenever it comes to mileage increases, which are usually minimal.....

How much would you spend on product A, B, C and D?

How much fuel would that product buy?

How much of an improvement did you really get?

How long would it REALLY take to pay off?

Whenever you start talking gear swaps for mileage, it doesn't work out well because you have to take into account.....

1 - The price of a set of gears (per axle)
2 - The price of a seal or rebuild kit (per axle)
3 - The price of the labor per axle
4 - The price of the fluids

Typically, a gear swap on a 4WD truck goes like this, PER AXLE

Gear set: $200
Install Kit: $60 - $180
Labor: $300 - $500 per axle
Fluids: $24 - $72

Total per axle: $584 - $952

Here's a hypothetical example.....

Let's say you pay the mid point price PER AXLE, so for a 4WD you just paid $1536.

Let's say fuel costs $2.65 per gallon. That means you could have bought 579 gallons of fuel. At 30 gals of fuel, that's 19.3 tanks of fuel.

So, let's say the you gain 1 MPG by doing this swap and you're now getting 15 MPG.

In order for that gear swap to pay for itself, with a 1 MPG improvement, an original cost per mile of $0.189, a new cost per mile of $0.176....saving you 1.3 cents per mile. You'd have to drive 118,153 miles to break even.

Best bet is properly inflating the tires, keeping an air filter clean, using the lightest weigh oil possible, removing all the excess BS that isn't needed in that monster tool box that just stores junk, keeping the RPM's under 2000, boost in the single digits and EGT's in the 550 - 700* range.

 :up:


Wow, Mongo do good math.  Good Mongo...

 :pw:
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: Cumminalong on December 05, 2009, 01:57:44 pm
Hey now.......

I'm at least a sophisticated caveman.

;D

(http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlLA/original/geico2.jpg)
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: noplugs on December 05, 2009, 03:50:14 pm
I just cant see Rich in a suit... maybe eating it or using it as a rug... but not wearing it....
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: Cumminalong on December 05, 2009, 05:11:14 pm
I'd have friggin smudge stains all over it.

They're be covered in grease, oil and yesterday's lunch.

 :lol:
Title: Re: Dually to single conversion
Post by: mayfair on December 07, 2009, 05:30:25 pm
I just cant see Rich in a suit... maybe eating it or using it as a rug... but not wearing it....

:lol: LMMFAO !!! :lol: