Questions about a dually axle swap

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
I am looking to swap the rear single wheel axle in my 4x4 1996 dodge ram 2500 for a dual rear wheel.

I have found a 2001 dual rear wheel axle with disc brakes from a 2wd truck.

I have a few questions.
  • Will the fact that this rear axle is from a 2wd and my truck is a 4wd matter?
  • Since my current rear axle is drum brakes, what will I need to replace in the braking system to ensure the new rear disc brakes work as they should? Will I need to replace master cylinder and get rid of the factory combination valve and get an adjustable proportioning valve?
  • Will I have ABS issues?
  • What else should I consider?
Thanks for any suggestions/tips/tricks
 
Discs require more fluid volume than drums. I'd be prepared to replace the MC and any associated parts (distribution valves, etc) with the appropriate disc brake rear parts.
 
BigClay said:
I am looking to swap the rear single wheel axle in my 4x4 1996 dodge ram 2500 for a dual rear wheel.

I have found a 2001 dual rear wheel axle with disc brakes from a 2wd truck.

I have a few questions.
  • Will the fact that this rear axle is from a 2wd and my truck is a 4wd matter?
No, only thing I could see different is shock mounts. If that's the case then I have a welder and can make some brackets.
  • Since my current rear axle is drum brakes, what will I need to replace in the braking system to ensure the new rear disc brakes work as they should? Will I need to replace master cylinder and get rid of the factory combination valve and get an adjustable proportioning valve?
Master is gonna be a min requirement ($80-100 from a quick Google for a big bore for disc), is your truck hydroboost (I hope it is, if not that's a good upgrade I'd grab).
  • Will I have ABS issues?
As long as the hook up is the same I don't think so. Both should have a carrier mounted tone ring.
  • What else should I consider?
Thanks for any suggestions/tips/tricks
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Replies in Red, only other thing that might be worthwhile is a front brake upgrade.
 
Chris_Keziah said:
only other thing that might be worthwhile is a front brake upgrade.
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Since you're replacing parts and going to 17" wheels anyway, you can go with the bigger front rotors that the later model trucks got. It should make a difference, but the drive axle brakes do a massive amount of work when you're loaded. The fronts probably do more in an absolute sense, but since they're larger, they also do a better job of shedding heat. If you cook a set of pads, it'll be on the drive axle first.
 
Chris_Keziah said:
Replies in Red, only other thing that might be worthwhile is a front brake upgrade.
Click to expand...

As far as front brakes, I already put EBC dimple and slotted rotors and I believe their yellow stuff pads.
 
Chris_Keziah said:
Yeah but's that's a 1/2 ton to dually swap, Clay already has a 2500.
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If you don't understand, you won't understand. In a different way, he was kinda our Fuller before there was Fuller.
 
BigClay said:
wow :eek:, I never saw that thread
Click to expand...
Not surprised. It's from the year before you joined ;)

And I really only dug it up here for us old timers to laugh and reminisce.
 
Chris_Keziah said:
I knew Ricky from outside of the Forum from my High School mud pit/racing days. He's an interesting glitter chigger.
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Thank you @Chris_Keziah and Urban Dictionary:
Glitter Chigger
A male who wears skinny jeans, cowboy boots, and drives around in a lifted vehicle. Often found in a nailsalon or gym but never on a farm. Listens to country music and claims hes not a city boy, but has never gotten his boots dirty and screams at the sight of bugs. The male version of a mud cricket.
 
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