Piper
- Thread starter oncedrove
- Start date
greg334
Veteran Expediter
OK I will try to answer it but...
I am tired of calling up there and speaking to someone who is having a Currywurst and chips for lunch and wants only to talk about David Hasslehoff.... Not only I end the call hungry but also nauseous.
So the guy on the other end of the phone said the 1500 and 2500 models for 2008 and 2009 both have the between the wheel wells of 53 or so inches while the 3500 has 38. The last time I had my hands on one, which was a while ago, the space between the wheel wells was 42 inches. 38 is seems really small.
Now the Ford Transit I had for a weekend was like the 3500 but it had 50 inches between the wheel wells.
I am tired of calling up there and speaking to someone who is having a Currywurst and chips for lunch and wants only to talk about David Hasslehoff.... Not only I end the call hungry but also nauseous.
So the guy on the other end of the phone said the 1500 and 2500 models for 2008 and 2009 both have the between the wheel wells of 53 or so inches while the 3500 has 38. The last time I had my hands on one, which was a while ago, the space between the wheel wells was 42 inches. 38 is seems really small.
Now the Ford Transit I had for a weekend was like the 3500 but it had 50 inches between the wheel wells.
3500's are under 48 inches at the wheel wells making it pretty useless to haul skid freight on the floor. The solution is to put in a new floor above the wheel wells, which kinda defeats the whole extra height of a Sprinter thing. I believe Greg has the measurements right.
Maybe a million dollar idea.
The amount of offset required would add a significant load to the outer wheel bearing in the hub (the axle is very narrow). The other thing is you need to almost completely eliminate the width of the inner dual, which wouldn't leave you with much room to super size the remaining tire.
The amount of offset required would add a significant load to the outer wheel bearing in the hub (the axle is very narrow). The other thing is you need to almost completely eliminate the width of the inner dual, which wouldn't leave you with much room to super size the remaining tire.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Piper,
There is a company that actually does the work, I think Leo has the details or an idea where they may be at.
Isn't the axle width itself the same on the 2500 and 3500 and only the offset with the dual wheels causing the shift inward?
Here is what I was told to do but never looked into it. Get 16.5 inch rims that will fit the sprinter and fit a single wheel on the truck using LT tires. The weight of 9900 is still handled by the tires legally (as with other vans) and the wheel wells can be moved outward. The speedo can be adjusted through the ECM by the dealer.
This allows the weight to be distributed on the center or near center of the hub while not risking the bearing crewing itself up. I have seen one 3500 up at D-C that had this, but it was on a chassis with a aerocell body.
There is a company that actually does the work, I think Leo has the details or an idea where they may be at.
Isn't the axle width itself the same on the 2500 and 3500 and only the offset with the dual wheels causing the shift inward?
Here is what I was told to do but never looked into it. Get 16.5 inch rims that will fit the sprinter and fit a single wheel on the truck using LT tires. The weight of 9900 is still handled by the tires legally (as with other vans) and the wheel wells can be moved outward. The speedo can be adjusted through the ECM by the dealer.
This allows the weight to be distributed on the center or near center of the hub while not risking the bearing crewing itself up. I have seen one 3500 up at D-C that had this, but it was on a chassis with a aerocell body.
2500, plain automotive style rear end (press in single outer bearing, hub part of axle shaft), like a car or a half ton.
3500, full float axle shaft, hub on spindle type rear end (like a real truck).
2500, and 3500 rear axles share no parts.
To keep the weight near the centerline of the hub you would only gain the width of half of one of the current tires, that amount however, times 2 (each side) is almost enough, especially if you went with a narrow tire like a 235/85/16.
With enough money, anything is do-able!
Personally, I'd rather try to find a way to make a Ford or GM rear axle fit. Lots of challenges there too!!
3500, full float axle shaft, hub on spindle type rear end (like a real truck).
2500, and 3500 rear axles share no parts.
To keep the weight near the centerline of the hub you would only gain the width of half of one of the current tires, that amount however, times 2 (each side) is almost enough, especially if you went with a narrow tire like a 235/85/16.
With enough money, anything is do-able!
Personally, I'd rather try to find a way to make a Ford or GM rear axle fit. Lots of challenges there too!!
You are exactly right OVM, the cost benifit ratio on such a project would be pretty shaky.
The 3500 rear end is very narrow, you just don't have a lot to play with. You can do anything with unlimited funds but for what gain?
And why did this thread get my name put on it????
The 3500 rear end is very narrow, you just don't have a lot to play with. You can do anything with unlimited funds but for what gain?
And why did this thread get my name put on it????
Because you are such a notable expert and shining star on EO...a Valuable resource and fountain of information....
Just like another un-named Canadian star! *LOL*
Oh yeah...your on the THEM!!! A Canuck!!
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greg334
Veteran Expediter
Piper,
Thanks for that, I wondered if the 3500 axle was too narrow. The info I got from D-C on how to put a single tire I think is wrong but again they produced a vehicle that drops dowel pins in the timing covers to ruin an owner's day.
Well anywho, to stick a GM or Ford axle on the thing is possible, it is not all that difficult and there are companies that will do it.
But I am puzzled, you guys with your sprinters won't go the extra mile to get a 1000lb more out of your sprinter. Maybe I have been in my truck too long but I thought you all had the same problem, weight limitations. I would think that just the idea of those batteries that some of you have may justify it?
So let me ask each of you for my info, OVM, Piper, Turtle and so on how much does your little sprinter weigh and how much can you haul?
Thanks for that, I wondered if the 3500 axle was too narrow. The info I got from D-C on how to put a single tire I think is wrong but again they produced a vehicle that drops dowel pins in the timing covers to ruin an owner's day.
Well anywho, to stick a GM or Ford axle on the thing is possible, it is not all that difficult and there are companies that will do it.
But I am puzzled, you guys with your sprinters won't go the extra mile to get a 1000lb more out of your sprinter. Maybe I have been in my truck too long but I thought you all had the same problem, weight limitations. I would think that just the idea of those batteries that some of you have may justify it?
So let me ask each of you for my info, OVM, Piper, Turtle and so on how much does your little sprinter weigh and how much can you haul?
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One thing some 3500 owners were doing was cutting the wheel well metal and taking out part of it and welding in a piece to the floor. This added an extra couple of inches to the inside width allowing for normal skids but not quite a 48" wide one. Besides how many skids do we get that are wider than normal? We won't count all the ones I had today as none were normal in any direction (one of those days).
Rob
Rob
aileron
Expert Expediter
Just a heads up if somebody wants to do this. You absolutely need to make sure that the front wheels/tires are the same diameter with the rear ones. If you don't, the ECM notices that the front wheels are turning faster/slower than the rear wheels and throws codes, and...... Just a mess.
aileron
Expert Expediter
Greg,
I can haul 3200 lbs, I weighed it recently. It weighs empty 5350 lbs. However, I don't haul more than 2500 lbs. I don't have a sleeper built in, nor all the other niceties that other people have.
Greg I weigh about 6100 so that leaves 2450...I'll take up to 25-2600.... I mean who runs around with a full fuel tank all the time?
6080 empty, and it took a lot of work to get it that way. When it left the dealer it weighed 5580.
I can get the req'd 2500 lb but I have to be careful how much junk I put in. Everything I built was done with aluminum or very light wood, and more than a few original parts are now stored in my garage at home.
Do I wish it would haul more ...yes. Am I going to spend a lot of money to do it...no.
I can get the req'd 2500 lb but I have to be careful how much junk I put in. Everything I built was done with aluminum or very light wood, and more than a few original parts are now stored in my garage at home.
Do I wish it would haul more ...yes. Am I going to spend a lot of money to do it...no.
I've had 2900 in mine ONCE...never again...it drove like a tank and wandered all over the road....took forever to get up to speed....wonder just how hot the tranny got....It is not worth it...the heavy weights..IMO...we are not compensated for weight so why burn up the van? My philosophy has been for some time now...There will always be another load. This has served me well...just look at all my downtime and roadside breakdowns almost nil.
aileron
Expert Expediter
My philosophy has been for some time now...There will always be another load. This has served me well...just look at all my downtime and roadside breakdowns almost nil.
Mine has been about the same. If a load is more than 2500lbs or more than 2 skids, that is a straight truck job. I will wait for a van load.
I will take multiple skids...it spreads whatever weight around more evenly...it is the weight..always about the weight...