First I would like to say thanks for this forum. The knowledge pool is killer! I’m in the process of restoring a 53 3800 / 1 ton cab and chasis dually. Pulled the trigger on a 14 bolt for the rear axle swap. I saw no other way to get around the tire, wheel, brake and gearing dilemma. I’ve burned the step by step instructions on the axle swap thread into what’s left of my brain and I think I might have solved the problem with the 14 bolt being roughly 2” to narrow. The problem is I want to keep it a dually and moving the backing plate and using a narrower drum will not work with a 16” dually wheel. Here’s where I need your thoughts, opinions and suggestions. What if I narrowed the frame by 2”….? The frame is tapered front to back. I would make the cut just to the rear of the front body anchor bolt. I would need to drill new holes in the floor for the rear body mounts and I would have to put a spacer in between the rear running board support and the frame to maintain the factory look but that would be easy. Then all I would need to do to the axle is spring perches.
Whatcha all think?
