Srw into drw - 2015 3500
 

Kickin around the idea of either converting or swapping out my SRW for a DRW to increase my GCW. What i dont know is how similar the rear axles are between the two in these 4th gen's and how much of a pain in the a$$ it is to do it.

OR... if someone has a DRW and wants to convert to a SRW, let me know! haha

You'll have to swap the whole axle...different widths, brakes, basically everything.

I swapped a 2003 DRW axle into my 2010 SRW...They changed brakes in 2006 across the board, so check before you start looking for axles if they made any other changes after that. Not all AAM 11.5's are the same I guess is my point.


Chris

I'd like to stick to the 4th gen era axles. My other problem is going to be ratios. My truck currently has 3.42's in it. Great for the interstate, but that's about it.

LOVE my 3.42's...maybe grunts a bit getting the load moving, but pulls like crazy. I've had 54K gross on it with no problems. Now it's a 12K lb service truck everyday, still love the 3.42's.

Gears are all the same, so worst case if you can't find 3.42's, swap yours in. I did in mine, and added an ARB air locker.


Oh, and the front you just add the dual wheel spacers and wheels, and roll on.

Chris

Good to know! Thanks fella!

I'm curious why you couldn't just add wheel adapters and fender flares/box. Is the axle width that much different?

Kind of what i was thinking as well... i dont know what adding a set of the 3rd gen mega cab dually flares would look like tho on a 4th gen box?

I actually just checked with a guy that did it locally here and he had no issues do what I suggested above. He did it to haul his pull truck in an enclosed goose neck. Hauled it all over the tri-state area and back and forth to Scheid a few times. I also looked at doing it to mine and didn't see any issues but both his and mine are 3rd gens. I'm not sure if there is an issue with 4th gens.

Well, knowing full well the weight I was going to run, no way I'm using a set of spacers on the rear. I had the axle sitting here. I knew that we load heavy and run heavy, so I wanted the factory width DRW axle.

IMHO, there is a ton of difference in the width, but all opinions are different....
Chris

This is also one of my concerns. I want to go with a bigger horse trailer and don't want to risk putting the horse's lives in danger just because i was trying to save a buck.