ak_cowboy

Is there any way to swap the rear axles to 6 lug? I was looking to swap up to 8 lugs and found it way to expensive...

VanoFord

Man both these 7 lug HD Trucks look GOOOOD with those aftermarket rims.

Wrecker, those are the MT Classic II? 17" right? I am thinking of gettin the 6 lug MT CII 20". They look just like the look I am trying to get (but I'm gonna black powder coat mine). Lookin good boys, lookin good!

VanoFord

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think you can just swap the axle as long as you have the right spline. My 2wd XLT is a 28 spline. I think you would be able to get axles out of a wrecked truck and swap them in, as long as the length and splines matched up.

You could also get wheel spacer/adapters. I'm sure the guy can convert a 7 lug to a 6 lug pattern no problem. Why not ask guy on eBay (thats where I got my spacers) and see if they have that set up. A lot of those guys do their own work in their own machine shop. Just my $.02

Neggy

The HD payload package uses a 10.25 inch gear set.

I doubt very much that you are going to be able to swap axles easily. As for spacers, not on my truck. Last thing I need in the middle of a heavy wet snow storm is to shear something in an adapter.

Could you weld up and re machine the axles? Probably, but that is going to cost you a boatload of money.

I know for a fact my wheels are made from forged blanks and rated for 3300 pounds, my tires are E rated , my spare is going to fit, and I'm not going to blow a limited slip unit up or have the ABS take a nutty if I put the spare on. In other words I have not changed anything that would effect the reliability,serviceability, and capacity of my truck.

If I get a flat I can use the stock jack and lug wrench too.

Reliability is everything in my world.

Heavywrecker

yep it is a 10.25 rear, I have the hubs to make the switch up front. paid 195 for the set used.. the rear axles can be welded ad re drilled. or you can have a company like Currie enterprises make a custom set, 800.00 when I called. There is a machine shop near me that will make a 2 piece spacer 2.5 inches wide that can change your lug patteren from 7 on 150 to 8 on 170, or 6 on 135 they charge 550 for the set. I almost used the navigator wheels with this spacer. If you want a set let me know I will put you in touch with him

Heavywrecker

nope they look like it, but they are the cheaper Eagles

I think the guy i bought mine has a set of MT's that are Teflon coated so they are black but really easy to clean.

Neggy

For all the time invested, and the money for machine work, gear lube, additives, and every other nickle and dime part you are going to have to buy, you could buy the most expensive rim Centerline makes and still be ahead of the game.

I'm not against modifying things to make them better, and if you ever saw the mod list for my Kawasaki ZRX you'd think I was nuts, but trying to rebuild the axles to get wheels under these 7 lug trucks in insane.

I did re-machine the axles on a Dana rear end I put in a 327 Vega project so I could run the stock wheels front and rear rather than run mismatched wheels

ford4wd08

they make rims that you can get the bolt holes drilled out in, like theyre not drilled then you order then and then they drill to your specs

Heavywrecker

Well that's why I did not do it. I put the research in, but when I found out how much the axles were going to cost, I waited until I could get the correct wheels. My truck is still 7 lug and I am content with the way it looks now.

Heavywrecker

The value to me in changing back to 6 lug, Is buying new take offs. I have a friend that works for a dealer. 300 to 400 for new wheels and tires. With the ammount of miles I put on my trucks it was a tough decision. Spending 1000 to change over save 600 every time I need tires.