79 3/4ton swap to dually

[TurnNBurn]

Hello all

I had the 14 bolt blow on my 79 3/4 ton. It couldnt have happened at a worse time I had my 24ft gooseneck full of wood on the way back home and kaboom it broke the carrier. Oh ya forgot to mention the bearing went out.

any way I have access to a 1 ton dually axle from a 94 or 95 chevy. I was wondering if anyone knows if they are a bolt in, or I have to move hangers around. If it will not work, I might be able to get a 70's dually axle. The truck has no box so pretty much anything goes. Im thinking that the extra wheels will help make it more stable.

Could someone that has a early to mid 90's 1 ton. Would you be able to tell me the distance center to center on the leaf spring perches. I have to go about 150 miles to get the axle, so it would be nice to know if its possible to use. Thanks all I appreciate it.

[overloaded]

sorry can't help, but good luck. 150 miles for an axle? long trip!

But what are you going to haul it home with since the truck's broke?


Are you going to convert the front to dually as well?

[TurnNBurn]

Ya its a long drive but there is nothing around here anymore for parts, everyone and there dog is scrapn around here so they are all gone.
ya I already found the brakes and hubs for the front. I will take the trailer and the dime blazer to go get it. All 6 wheels go with the axle if I can use it . I shouldnt have to worry about the leafs in the rear , the truck came with the service body suspension there is a pile of leafs and a triple leaf over load and when I got it I had a air bag setup for the rear so that is hanging over the axle. I put 50lbs air in the bags and load the trailer you cant even tell the trailer is on it.

[b454rat]

Will need to move perches and shock mounts. U-joint should be the same. Don't forget the lugnuts, they are metric...

[BigBlocksRule]

Your perches are a good bit narrower than the later body style since Uncle Sam made Chevy redesign the frame and put the gas tank inside the frame rails.
You'll have a bigger bill at tire change time, but the dual rear wheels are a LOT more stable, plus you can limp home on a single if you blow one.

[TurnNBurn]

Ok thanks , so I supose the easiest way to do it is get a 73-80 dually rear , and it shoule be a bolt in.

[88bagedntaged]

Originally Posted by TurnNBurn

Ok thanks , so I supose the easiest way to do it is get a 73-80 dually rear , and it shoule be a bolt in.

Yes that would be the best way, I converted mine from a R20 to an R30 dually it is bolt in. However make sure you stay aware of the cab and chasis rears that are narrower than a regular dually. 1988 R20 and I used a 1985 R30 everything was identical.