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K30, SRW to DRW?

rjfguitar

rjfguitar

3/4 ton status
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What does it take to convert my 81 K30 3+3 from SRW to DRW? Obviously dually front hubs, a dually D70 and a set of 16x6 alcoas. Anything I'm missing? Rear brakes are the same between a 1 ton 14B and D70 right? What about spring packs? Did DRW trucks get a heavier spring pack? I would need the heaviest factory springs I could get if I did this.

Just toying with the idea of possibly converting my K30 to DRW, pulling off the service bed, and installing a flat bed that I already have. If I don't do this, I will be replacing it with an F350 Powerstroke or 3500 Dodge and will just sell the K30. Bad part, is if I keep the K30 and DRW/flatbed it I wil have to update the engine/trans/paint. Don't know if I want to bite off that much or not. I can pick up an early F350 4x4 Powerstroke for pretty cheap these days.
 
You should keep the front Dana-60 a SRW type diff in the front, and just install a Dana-70 duallie diff in the rear. It will actually look better because you can have bigger tires, with wider rims on SRW Dana-60 front diff that you cannot have with a Dana-60 DRW type diff. Also, you can mount taller but narrower rear duallies on the back, wich match the diameter of the fronts. The load capacity difference between a SRW Dana-60, and a DRW Dana-60, is not enough to justify the exspence of DRW hubs, bearing, seals, etc...etc.
 
Not sure if the shoes and hardware are different but dually drums and backing plates are different.

As for the springs, I believe they will differ based on RPO code / package combinations.
 
nvrenuf said:
Not sure if the shoes and hardware are different but dually drums and backing plates are different.
Click to expand...

To be more specific:

14BFF and D70 can use the same brakes. They do differ from SRW to DRW. DRW has the 13" x 3.5" brakes vs SRW has the 13 x 2.5" (or in some cases smaller.)

Shoes and drums are different for the 3.5" vs 2.5, as the shoe width is what's measured, IIRC.

-- A
 
1-ton said:
You should keep the front Dana-60 a SRW type diff in the front, and just install a Dana-70 duallie diff in the rear. It will actually look better because you can have bigger tires, with wider rims on SRW Dana-60 front diff that you cannot have with a Dana-60 DRW type diff. Also, you can mount taller but narrower rear duallies on the back, wich match the diameter of the fronts. The load capacity difference between a SRW Dana-60, and a DRW Dana-60, is not enough to justify the exspence of DRW hubs, bearing, seals, etc...etc.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but that just looks goofy for me. If it's a dually, I want it to look like a dually. I never said I wanted to lift it or put on bigger tires. This is a work truck, I would just set it up as a stock DRW with 16x6 alcoas and 31x9.50's. As far as the front D60, everything is the same, just the outer hubs make the difference right? I wouldn't have to change the spindles. On the newer trucks, the only difference is a spacer bolted on to the hub if it's a DRW truck.
 
nvrenuf said:
Not sure if the shoes and hardware are different but dually drums and backing plates are different.

As for the springs, I believe they will differ based on RPO code / package combinations.
Click to expand...
I Just assumed actual axle width was different between the two, and figured I would just get a dually rear D70 and just swap the whole thing in place of the SRW 14B. As far as brakes, I guess I meant that the brake lines and E brake would bolt up and there would be no changes to be made to the prop valve or master cylinder. I would assume no.
 
The only difference between SRW and DRW D60's are the bearing hubs. That's it. Everything else is the same between the two.

The difference between a SRW 14FF and DRW D70HD are the drums and bearing hubs. Everything else is the same. The shoes on all the 1 tons are 3.5" x 13".

If the shoes measure out to 3" then you've got the 3/4 ton version 14FF.
 
I have the bigger 3.5" shoes. Well, I guess now I just need to decide if I want to take on this project of modernizing my crew cab and getting it setup to be better utilized for my operation, or just sell it and buy something newer and be done with it. Decisions.
 
Post a pic of the CC here so others can see what you're envisioning.
 
I did this. Conversion from Single to Dually on my K30

at the time i ended up changing shock mounts, new springs, new shocks, lifted it..just a little, brake lines, removed the load sensing valve and a few other smaller things.

The only thing that cought me off guard going from a 14 Bolt to the Dana 70 was the leaf spring plates and the drive shafts.

The D70 uses a bigger axle tube so you need New spring plates and probably new U bolts. I was fine with the U bolts because i feel safer with new ones and a lift.

The front drive shaft was obvious just because the lift. So i extended it.
But the rear drive shaft had to be shortened because the D70 pinion sticks out further than tha 14 bolt.
 
thatK30guy said:
Post a pic of the CC here so others can see what you're envisioning.
Click to expand...

This was my service truck for 7 years, but it has been replaced by a Ford F450 Powerstroke with a big Crane Bed. The K30 got bumped down to one of my employees, but we have found that it sits most of the year since I am able to cover 90% of field service/repair with my F450. So, to better utilize a second truck, we want a flatbed with air/fuel tank/simple tools that can also haul pallets of chemicals/water totes/fertilizer/seed that sort of thing. That would be a better setup for us as a second truck.
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What I am thinking is convert to DRW

replace utility bed with flat bed. Mount under slung boxes under the bed to hold a majority of the tools that are in this truck, mount air compressor and fuel tank at front of flat bed.

new paint

Deal with drivetrain.... I am tired of the old 454 and especially the A6 A/C compressor. The 454 runs pretty well, for a carbed engine, but it has it's quirks. Not to mention the mileage.... If I keep it I would like to do either a 12v cummins or LS swap.
 
If I were you, I'd employ a narrow DRW 14FF instead of the D70HD. If you use the 70 under a flatbed chances are the tires will flare out a little wider than the bed. If you use the narrow 14 then the tires will tuck just fine under the bed. All depends on how wide the flatbed is or will be.
 
I have my dually up here. I am pretty sure the Dana 70 dually is wider. But not a ton from your 14 bolt.

I can take pics or measure what ever ya need
 
Well, bad news for my K30. I just picked up this late '94 F350 4x4 Powerstroke. 7.3/ZF5spd/Borg/D60/70. Also has a PTO and hydro pump. I couldn't pass it up, it's simply just more truck than the K30 could be, unfortunately. 13K weight capacity, and the big one is the 84" cab to axle wheel base. This lets me have a 10+' bed while not having too much past the rear axle and still be able to put a gooseneck hitch in. I really liked the idea of getting the K30 setup like this truck, but the cost to do so alone would be about the same or more than what I bought this complete Ford for. It just didn't financially pencil to put $5K into a 34yr old truck that needs to be a working truck, not a weekend classic.

Looks like the K30 crew cab is for sale and on it's way out, I'm gonna miss that truck. :frown1:


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Sacrelidge!..Blasphemy!...:eek1:..

Just kidding...I think you made a good choice,and saved yourself a ton of work,potential grief and money probably...sounds like the Ford is well suited for your needs...

I thought of this when I saw you bought a Ford,and posted about it on a Chevy forum...it takes balls to own a Ford!..

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