Are the frames the same width? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72jimmy4x4 · 03-01-2005, 11:52 PM

Found a rust free 87 crew cab 4x4 for sale and was thinking about buying and making it in to a dually.Are the frames the same widht and will the dually rear bolt right in.I know I will need different hubs for the front but not sure about the spring perch distance. thanks all

u2slow · 03-02-2005, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72jimmy4x4

Found a rust free 87 crew cab 4x4 for sale and was thinking about buying and making it in to a dually.Are the frames the same widht and will the dually rear bolt right in.I know I will need different hubs for the front but not sure about the spring perch distance. thanks all

Frames are the same width... but more importantly, the springs have the same spacing (40.5" on 1-tons & all crewcabs) The D70HD axle used in the dually pickups will bolt right in. Driveshaft may need to be shortened, box side will need to be clearanced for extra rubber, and add the dually fenders.

dwaite72lnghrn · 03-02-2005, 07:03 AM

If I am not mistaken the dual rear ends had 2 different frames. 2 different axles. Commercial cab chassis had a narrow rear and the dually option had the wide rear. The wide rear end would fit a standard truck frame. I might be off here on the frames but they would put dual tires on cab chassis and the outside of the tire would fit inline with the cab. where as the dually bed axle tires would stand about 4" to the side of the cab on both sides.
So I would say yes you can if you find the right donor.

u2slow · 03-03-2005, 01:48 AM

You can fit any of the three 1-ton axles on a crewcab frame. The narrow DRW axle mentioned (cab & chassis) only leaves you with ~42" between the inside tires - so that one won't work so good with a regular pickup box.

The cab & chassis frames have standard widths, just different lengths, and a completely flat profile back of the cab. 135.5" and 159.5" wheelbase IIRC.

badone07 · 03-03-2005, 03:24 AM

It's a tight squeeze with a standard fleetside and c&c dually rear. You would basically have 2 choices... widen the wheel wells or suspension lift. I used a 2" suspension lift because it was quick and I wanted the use of the bed for 4' wide materials. Cost around $40 for the kit and a couple of hours. Have a set of oem dually flares needing work, but didn't feel like swapping out the rear. Plus now I won't be screwed with at the tolls or by insurance company, when jackoffs try to pluke me for a commercial vehicle with another axle or extra set of rear wheels.

03-01-2005, 11:52 PM	#1
72jimmy4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Victoria B.C. Posts: 101	Are the frames the same width? Found a rust free 87 crew cab 4x4 for sale and was thinking about buying and making it in to a dually.Are the frames the same widht and will the dually rear bolt right in.I know I will need different hubs for the front but not sure about the spring perch distance. thanks all

03-02-2005, 07:03 AM	#3
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	If I am not mistaken the dual rear ends had 2 different frames. 2 different axles. Commercial cab chassis had a narrow rear and the dually option had the wide rear. The wide rear end would fit a standard truck frame. I might be off here on the frames but they would put dual tires on cab chassis and the outside of the tire would fit inline with the cab. where as the dually bed axle tires would stand about 4" to the side of the cab on both sides. So I would say yes you can if you find the right donor. __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

03-03-2005, 01:48 AM	#4
u2slow Web Wheeler Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: BC, Canada, eh? Posts: 388	You can fit any of the three 1-ton axles on a crewcab frame. The narrow DRW axle mentioned (cab & chassis) only leaves you with ~42" between the inside tires - so that one won't work so good with a regular pickup box. The cab & chassis frames have standard widths, just different lengths, and a completely flat profile back of the cab. 135.5" and 159.5" wheelbase IIRC. __________________ '66 C10 longstep - Clifford equiped '84 C20 Suburban 6.2L - awaiting 4x4 conversion '91 V3500 Crewcab - awaiting diesel swap

03-03-2005, 03:24 AM	#5
badone07 Project 2 Resume Join Date: May 2004 Location: Jim Thorpe, PA Posts: 884	It's a tight squeeze with a standard fleetside and c&c dually rear. You would basically have 2 choices... widen the wheel wells or suspension lift. I used a 2" suspension lift because it was quick and I wanted the use of the bed for 4' wide materials. Cost around $40 for the kit and a couple of hours. Have a set of oem dually flares needing work, but didn't feel like swapping out the rear. Plus now I won't be screwed with at the tolls or by insurance company, when jackoffs try to pluke me for a commercial vehicle with another axle or extra set of rear wheels. Attached Images __________________ John 1984 C30 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 2004 Chevy Trailblazer 4x4 (wife's) 1970 Mustang FB fully tubed (getting 521 BBF & powerglide) 1978 Nova 2dr (going BBCaddy & S.P. th400) 1984 Monte SS (circle track car) Last edited by badone07; 03-03-2005 at 03:54 AM.



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