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Removing One Drive Axle

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by SprintCar, Apr 4, 2010.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Apr 4, 2010 #1
    SprintCar

    SprintCar Light Load Member

    61
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    Jan 2, 2010
    Arizona
    0
    I bought a 1999 Peterbilt 385 with three axles. I am considering removing the forward, of two rear axles, as I have no plans of using the truck commercially just to pull my toy hauler and horse trailers for Personal Use. It seems like it is much easier regulation wise on me to just have a two axle truck as opposed to three axles.

    It seems as though it would be very easy to do but I was hoping someone has a link of someone doing the conversion to give me a step by step guide. My main concern is to make sure the driveline is done correctly. The rest seems very simple just unbolt and remove and then capping the Air Lines to the brakes and airbags.

    Thanks,

    Joe
     
    SprintCar, Apr 4, 2010
    SprintCar, Apr 4, 2010
    #1
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  3. Apr 4, 2010 #2
    javelinjeff

    javelinjeff Medium Load Member

    621
    185
    Aug 30, 2007
    victorville,ca
    0
    I have seen this done before,the rear axle is moved to where the mid axle is and then the frame is shortened to allow the fifth wheel to be more towards the rear,eliminating clearance issues on trailers designed to be pulled with a 2 axle tractor
     
    javelinjeff, Apr 4, 2010
    javelinjeff, Apr 4, 2010
    #2
  4. Apr 4, 2010 #3
    SprintCar

    SprintCar Light Load Member

    61
    11
    Jan 2, 2010
    Arizona
    0
    My plan is to just keep the rear axle where it is. I do not want or need to cut the frame as I have plent of room to mount my gooseneck Air Ride Hitch and have plenty of clearance with the rear axle in its original location. I actually will have more room then my current Dodge with its flat bed.

    Joe
     
    SprintCar, Apr 4, 2010
    SprintCar, Apr 4, 2010
    #3
  5. Apr 4, 2010 #4
    javelinjeff

    javelinjeff Medium Load Member

    621
    185
    Aug 30, 2007
    victorville,ca
    0
    just get a longer section of driveshaft,from the carrier bearing back,just be sure to have it balanced,just like in a car
     
    javelinjeff, Apr 4, 2010
    javelinjeff, Apr 4, 2010
    #4
  7. Apr 4, 2010 #5
    SprintCar

    SprintCar Light Load Member

    61
    11
    Jan 2, 2010
    Arizona
    0
    So Far, this is the best thing I could find online of the subject. I will have to see which ABS Controller I have and the rest should be very straight forward.

    http://jmayer6.tripod.com/id15.html

    Joe

    PS. The main reason I dont want to chop the frame up is someday I may have to use the truck for a job and would want to be able to re-configure it back to stock condition. If I chop the frame, there is no going back, lol!
     
    SprintCar, Apr 4, 2010
    SprintCar, Apr 4, 2010
    #5
  8. Apr 4, 2010 #6
    Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    you can take the front axle out but dont legthen the drive shaft over 5ft you might have to put a second carrier bearing in also move the fithwheel slider back if it isnt long enough.
     
    Superhauler, Apr 4, 2010
    Superhauler, Apr 4, 2010
    #6
  9. Apr 4, 2010 #7
    VARITHMS

    VARITHMS Medium Load Member

    476
    106
    Nov 26, 2009
    HOUSTON
    0
    Are all three drive axles? If they are that is cool. It seems most down here are all drop axles. Yes my comment is no help.
     
    VARITHMS, Apr 4, 2010
    VARITHMS, Apr 4, 2010
    #7
  10. Apr 4, 2010 #8
    Elvenhome21

    Elvenhome21 Heavy Load Member

    735
    240
    Nov 17, 2008
    Sheboygan, WI
    0
    you could even leave the middle axle in but pull the drive axles out and remove the tires and chain the rearend up out of the way and just run you interaxle differential in lock. shouldnt hurt it at all because theres no power being put to that axle to bind up and cause heat. just got to find caps for where the axle flanges were
     
    Elvenhome21, Apr 4, 2010
    Elvenhome21, Apr 4, 2010
    #8
  11. Apr 5, 2010 #9
    Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    dont run the powerdivider axle even with no load on it you will burn it up.
     
    Superhauler, Apr 5, 2010
    Superhauler, Apr 5, 2010
    #9
  12. Apr 5, 2010 #10
    speedyc-16

    speedyc-16 Light Load Member

    92
    6
    Sep 6, 2009
    ice box,idaho
    0
    Bad idea on the chain up and run with diff lock in, plug off air lines remove front driver put in longer drive line but do not go over 6 feet long if so put in carrier bearing with shorter driver line.
     
    speedyc-16, Apr 5, 2010
    speedyc-16, Apr 5, 2010
    #10
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