Anyone ever convert a 6x4 tractor to 6x2?

I will be going to 6x2 when I do a rebuild on the engine. Going with a Link 20k lift pusher axle in front of a 23k drive axle with lockers for added traction. It is strongly advised that one going this route put on a stronger drive axle than the standard 20k since it is going to have to do all the work in both good and bad situations. I have a 235 in wheel base.

 

If it is illegal to have a tag axle in AB it is probably illegal in BC as well.

 

really...... no notisable fuel milage difference, but more traction problems, becouse for example european 4x2 and 6x2 trucktors are with interwheel diff. locks.

And it is not all, European differentials are designed for higher torque, converting to 6x2 you will increase torque on differential twice. Examples how do Europeans convert US trucks to 6x2 you can see in Internet are usually with installing ECAS and sometimes European axes

 

If your doing it for fuel mileage your probably going to be disappointed. We have a W900 with a front drive/rear dead axle. The only reason to do it would be weight savings and with the added tire wear we're seeing I don't even think that's worth it. I have a complete rear take off dead axle setup for a KW 8bag. Just bolt it in and go and decided against doing it since the truck we already have with the dead axle will slip the drive tires even loaded. We dump the air off the dead axle empty because wet pavement is like ice trying to get moving. Also like Cowpie said the drive axle is actually for a single axle truck and is larger than a normal twin screw setup.

IMO doing it just looking to help with fuel would not be worth the side effects. If you would financially benefit from the added lightweight then maybe. (like hauling grain/gravel or other bulk products where you load to max weight every load)

 

using tag instead of pusher is better for traction but not so good ride as empty

also you have to except that one diff is rated for 70000lbs and if you will ever strain it offroad or something extremely that it will broke except if you put real strong diff which cost you a lot

fuel savings are around 7% also tire savings but with pusher axle you will use much more tires than on tag also less complications with driveshaft if you use tag

also you must expected high strain on chassis when you are loaded and when you lift tag axle , in sweden norway and generally all scandinavia it is normal for use 6x2 trucks and drive them with lifted tag and this often creates 44000lbs on drive axle according to my fast calculation in case it you have 5th wheel in the middle of drive and tag you can except 38000lbs on drive axle when you are fully loaded

 

A 23k diff will not fit your housing if you currently have 20k diff in right now because a 23k diff is bigger than a 20k one. I also were thinking to change to a 6x2 setup and I was told that I need to replace my entire axle with stronger differential.

 

I tried to say it!

Ok, there are US trucks converted to 4x2 for use in EU and as I know, no fuel milge difference.