Rear Axle Issue On '03 Savana

[WaterGuy]

I've got an '03 extended 2500 with 6 lug wheels. That makes it the "Light Duty" version of 3/4 ton. VIN 1GTFG29T831129634

 

I've got (i.e. getting) the rear axle (w/springs and wheels) from an '04 2500 with 8-lug wheels. The doors are missing from that '04 so I don't even know the gear ratio of it. VIN 1GCGG25U441115556

 

Any obvious change-out issues?

 

I overload the '03 about 20-25% of the time.

My thinking is that the true 3/4 ton is less dangerous to overload.

 

I know that I can install more springs and/or bags to keep the axle from bottoming out to the frame but the axle is still at the "Light Duty" rating which sorta scares me.

 

I overloaded my Astro many times and eventually got negative caster readings.

Don't want this issue with my Savana. Or worse.

 

I hope that I have not stepped over the modification/stock rule of "Ask-The-GM-Technician" line.

 

Thanks..........

[bill190]

Well there is a LOT more to it than the wheels/axles being able to handle the weight.

 

There also is "driving" with that weight, handling around corners, brakes and stopping, going down a long hill and the brakes capacity to hold up - heat, etc. All sorts of stuff!

 

Now for example the vehicle in the picture below will have trouble driving at night because the headlights are pointing up and not at the road!

 

FYI - Here is all sorts of additional information on the load capacity of vehicles...

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/t...ity/information

 

 

[WaterGuy]

Well there is a LOT more to it than the wheels/axles being able to handle the weight.

If I was gonna use a 1 ton axle I could see the issues. I'm only going from 7300 to 8600. Not a major amount but should still be within the design limits.

 

There also is "driving" with that weight, handling around corners, brakes and stopping, going down a long hill and the brakes capacity to hold up - heat, etc. All sorts of stuff!

Common sense goes a long way here. I've been dong this for 10+ years already.

 

Now for example the vehicle in the picture below will have trouble driving at night because the headlights are pointing up and not at the road!

Yep, there are a lot of those in the "fail" section.

Not my intent to be one of them.

 

FYI - Here is all sorts of additional information on the load capacity of vehicles...

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/t...ity/information

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[WaterGuy]

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cricket sounds

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Bump

 

I contacted my local dealer to get the RPO for the rear axle.

 

He said "unless your name is on the paperwork we can't release that information."

 

I said "the van is in the junkyard, there is no real paperwork."

 

He said "then the junkyard will have to come in with the paperwork."

 

I said "yea and I have a better chance to get struck by lighting ... twice."

[txab]

You can post your VIN here:

 

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=72

[WaterGuy]

You can post your VIN here:

 

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=72

 

Thanks.

 

Looks like it is taking 2-3-4 weeks to get results.

I'll try anyway.

[txab]

You can post your VIN here:

 

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=72

 

Thanks.

 

Looks like it is taking 2-3-4 weeks to get results.

I'll try anyway.

 

 

You may still get a PM from someone on this site.