I have a 2001 Ram 1500 2wd Quad Cab. I really want to stress TWO WHEEL DRIVE. I am wanting to put an 8 lug rear axle (probably dana 70, even though I found an 80 for the same price but scared it will be two big) and I want to change the front over to 8 lugs. Now I don't want to use spacers. I would love to change the whole hub that way I could put the rotors off of a 2500 or 3500 (whichever one I use. Probably the same ones) and have more stopping power to go with the upgraded disk brakes on the back and the 4 wheel antilock braking system I wired in on the truck with an upgraded vacumn booster and electronic vacumn pump. Engine and trans also been upgraded to 408 with a 48re. What I want to do is put a hub off of a 2500 or 3500 onto the knuckle (spindle) of a 1500. change the whole knuckle/spindle assembly and putting it on my truck which is probably what I need to do. The only issue would be the frame. I don't know what the height difference is between the control arms. I know the lower control arms are the same, and I know the uppers are similiar with after market control arms the same for both the 1500 and the 3500. I just don't know if the difference in frame width (if any) will make the truck where I can't get a proper alignment. Need help and I want opinions. I know there are people on here with alot of knowledge and I love reading stuff on this forum. Thank you have a good one.

 

Don't think it will work. If it's anything like the 4X, the front bearing carrier on a 1500 is 3-bolt while the one on a 2500/3500 is 4-bolt. Even if you swap spindles to match the bearings, I'm not sure they will bolt up to the 1500 A-arms. Probably easier to get a set of 5-bolt axle shafts for the rear axle.

 

You would need the A-arms off of a 2500/3500 as well as all of the steering components including the pitman arm due to the larger stud sizing of all the steering parts. By the time you purchased all the parts for the front end and the rear diff. you will have spent several thousand dollars and could have simply bought a 2500/3500 for that amount especially since it is two wheel drive. I don't mean to be a buzz kill but I'm just laying it out for ya. It is possible but just not practical.

 

Never EVER put spacers on the front wheels of any vehicle. Ever Thay are not designed for those type of forces.

 

thanks. I have a very good resource for parts or I wouldn't try it. My friend owns a junk yard and I trade mechanic work for parts sometimes and then he gives me great deals. I know it would be a lot of work and could be a ton of money, compared to what I have already done its not that much more. Thank you so much for the help.

 

Oh well in that case if you have availability of free parts I say go for it then. Basically just jack up the front of your truck and remove everything steering related including the A-arms and start over by replacing everythin with the heavier duty parts. If you do decide to do it make sure to take lots of pics.

 

Well I checked into the pitman arm and the steering arms and they appear to be the same. My biggest concern was if there was any difference in the spacing between the upper and lower control arms

 

The ball joints are a larger diameter stud for sure on the 2500/3500 trucks and the knuckles are obviously different for that reason as well as like Miami said about the three/four bolt hub assemblies being different between the half ton and 3/4-1 ton trucks. I am not sure if the knuckles are taller for the heavier duty trucks but they may be since they use a heavier duty frame and that could indicate a larger spacing between the mounting points for the A-arms. Your best bet there would be to take measurements for spacing on your truck and take comparitive measurements on a heavy duty truck and compare notes.