looking to convert my 1996 f250 to a f350 drw any help?

[turace24]

O.k. here's the story, im getting into the car hauling business, something regional. The F250 SRW wont cut it, with a 3-4 car trailer. So i want to convert it to an f350 DRW to haul the weight with more stability. in the 1996's what was the difference between the two trucks? was it only springs? and hub adapters on the front? or was it much more than that. As far as the frame, and differential size is concerned? I'm looking for a junk dually to pull parts from, what will interchange? What years will interchange? i have a 1984 f350 i can part out for $300 will this work? are the lug patterns the same? does anyone know the year range from these trucks where springs, rims, and hub extensions will interchange? Please let me know, in starting this business, the less money involved in startup costs the better.

Thanks in advance

[dieselcrawler]

Grab your tape measure and take a real good look at both trucks, side by side if you can. There may be diffrences in the hubs on the rear, if the gears are the same it may be easiest to swap the whole rearend, but check the spring pearch width, duallys sometimes are narrower to allow the inner tire clearance.

I converted an old chevy I used to run for a work truck, I kept the single wheel rims on front as I couldn't afford the adaptors, and ran dually rims rear. Worked out ok... but my truck had the clearance for the inner tires. And if you're worried about it, you need 2 spare tires. I never carry one, and only once have had a problem, just a few weeks ago.

I think the hubs for the front are not bolt on for the older trucks. The cut off is '97's, the '99 and newer use a diffrent hub and bolt pattern and a bolt on adaptor. I think the hubs for the older ones are one peice, so you would have to buy an after market adaptor to fit the dually rims on your F250 front hub.

Hope this helps...

[dbkerley]

What type is yours and where are you located? I might consider a swap. I have been considering trading down to a 250.