This may be a stupid question but....

I'm looking at a 2000 (or maybe 1999) 3500 Express with duallies. The current owner knows nothing about when or how that mod was done.

I've never seen a dually Chevy before, so I'm trying to make sure that it's a dually axle and not spacers.

Those of you who are more knowledgeable could you please look at these and tell me?

Thanks!

 

I can't tell from the pictures but it does look like a 10.5" 14-Bolt. Take some measurements and match them up with some info here:
billavista 14-Bolt Bible

 

That last picture the hub doesn't look like it is sticking out past the wheel so maybe spacers? Hard to tell.

 

Yeah, the hub is flush with the rim flange. This makes me think spacers. I just want to confirm that without taking the wheels off. I may need to pull the wheels if I get to the point of making an offer on it.

I guess the next question is... Anything wrong with leaving the spacers on? Basically the change is cosmetic; no added load capacity but maybe better handling. Any greater chance of bearing failure?

 

A better picture of the diff. Sorry for my ignorance, what is the benefit/disadvantage of a 14 bolt?

This is on a 1999 cutaway chassis. The big metal box in back of the diff is the fuel tank.

 

Greater wear on the the bearings, makes the spindle weaker, but all those parts are quite durable in a 10.5 14-bolt. Has the dual wheel been an excuse to overload the van? What quality spacers were used, are they hub-centric or lug-centric? Are the lug nuts you can't see tight? Is there hidden rust? That all might be more important than just spacer or not.

 

The 10.5" 14-bolt is a very strong axle used by GM for many decades. It is full floating so less of an issue with spacers than if it was a semi-floating axle like the 9.5" 14-bolt. Disadvantage? It's not very light and has limited ground clearance? I don't think those matter for you.

 

I am told that the previous (first) owner was a fisherman and his wife had serious vision problems. So he got this RV to tow his boat and his wife could sit in comfort while he went out fishing. The van is in Montana, so I would think the fishing boat might have been along the lines of a bass boat or similar. IIRC the van weighs around 8000# empty. I can't remember what the GVWR/GAWR is on those vans. It only has 67000 miles on it.

I'd have to pull the wheels to see if the spacers are hub/lug centric. The rust you see is what there is. I suspect it being a fishing boat hauler the rear end may have gotten submerged at some point, which may be the source of the rust on the wheels. (Also may be why the generator took a crap and won't run).