Flipping the hubs isn't really much of a modification. You just take the hub off as if you were going to change wheel bearings and such, but turn it 180* and put it back on backwards. You also have to pull the wheel studs and put them in backwards.

New wheel studs and bearings at that time would make a lot of sense.

You are talking about M35s? Right? There are other 2.5 tons out there is why I ask.