half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

I hVe a 86 half town C10 reg cab longbed, im wondering what the differences in thd frames are between the half ton and 1 ton frames are, and will the suspension components fit?

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

There is a good bit of difference between the 1/2 and 1 tons as far as heft. If you are looking to swap all the suspension you may run into a bit of an issue with the rear springs. The 1/2 units are 52 and the ton units are 56 long. I would swap the cab onto the ton frame if it were me. Might as well get all the use out of the suspension and axles.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

I believe the frame is thicker steel and larger (taller). I know on 67-72's the 3/4ton and 1 ton are taller.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

Ok thanks guys, was gonna convert my LB to a dually, but if the weight of a gooseneck will still be too much for the frame then ill skip that

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

Finally someone that wants to do big things with a 2wd.I have the same truck and was asking 1 year ago exactly same stuff and essentially how to convert to 4x4 and I was laughed out of the forum.Anyway you will need to do a lot of stuff like weld a crossmember from what I remember on the front etc etc.Essentially you would want to have a 4x4 so you can lift the damn thing otherwise don't waste 1-2 thousand.Im just going to throw a axle on the front with some leaf springs and call it a day like I heard some guy did on another website for 300$.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

Yeah the frame is taller and thicker.If your trying to tow more with your truck its cheaper to buy a dually.Legally your door sticker says how much you can tow and D.O.T. goes by that number.If you get caught pulling more then that number its a nice fine and you gotta drop the trailer and come back with a bigger truck.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

ive swapped alot of 3/4 ton suspension stuff on my C10. the 1 ton stuff is heavy duty for sure, but what are you planning on towing?

I believe you could weld in crossmembers and stiffen the frame. Add beefy springs with some air ride. I would bet that you could pull a gooseneck without any issues as long as your drivetrain was up to the task. and it would be a great build thread to read, Just Sayin!

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

That's because it is essentially a different model.

The differences are so significant that it would be like converting a log cabin into a plantation home (or a Ford into a Chevy). Anything can be done given enough time, money and/or talent - but that doesn't mean it is recommended.

K

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

How much weightis the damn good neck trailer is it all 6500 pounds cants a c10 pull that much if it can't I'm going to be pissed with this truck.I want to buy a boat.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

How big of a boat? C10's pull boat trailers all the time.... A lwb C10 (86 model) is prob around 4k pounds w/a 1/2 ton capacity so about 5500lbs.

C30 equipment can be swapped over. But, the strength of the taller, heavier gauge steel frame of a C30 won't be there on your C10 which limits the ability to safely tow/haul a similar load.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

Shoot. During times of desperation I've pulled my enclosed Haulmark with Lil Red (approx 7500 lbs with the car in the trailer). But - I would not recommend this, as the truck is a V6/manual trans, which made it a bit balky.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...08Nov09009.jpg

...but this is how we rolled back in the day (every weekend). Car + trailer + stuff is about 5000 lbs.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...01/trailer.jpg

Nooooo problem. In fact, this is the rig I used when we moved from Detroit to Phoenix in 1990.

K

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

I have towed a trailer loaded down with 8000 pounds of concrete debris with mine. I didnt go anywhere fast but never had any issues

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

We all know if the load exceeds the weight of a tow vehicle that was not engineered for such loads, bad things can (and do) happen.

Occasional duty is ok. Repeat or constant use w/big loads & a better suited rig should be utilized as they have the rails/frame work to support the task.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

Wish you were closer! I have a complete rolling dually chassis I'm about to scrap.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

Well damn mr chevy!! That does suck

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

FF, check with Anchorism. He has a dually that he is parting/ parting with. Might be the ticket for you. He's fairly close too!!!! (check out the 73-87 for sale section)

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

Thanks for the info guys. I gotta shorty frame sitting in my carport I was gonna swap to, but I need something to tow my burban, might bite the bullet and buy a 92-2000 3/4 burban.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

Wow that's a bummer I piss 6500 pounds don't all newer trucks have standard towing rate of 6500 pounds even the v6 models this is bull****! What were these trucks used for in 82 hauling groceries and fixing wiring Ffs!Im going to rip the whole drive train out and throw it on the damn curb!

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

You're a riot - *****ing about wrenching on trucks and you want a BOAT?
By definition, BOAT stands for "Bust Out Another Thousand". My sister-in-law said that a boat is a hole in the water than you throw $100 bills into.

C-10's were built for farmers, contractors, etc., not folks that wanted to tow big trailers - that's what 1-ton trucks were built for.

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

Been driving C10 SWB 2wd trucks (6 cylinder/manual trans) for about 45 years now.

We (my family) use them for daily transportation, occasional light towing and hauling (aka "parts chasin', hauling engine blocks, sand bags, cement blocks, towing to the drag strip, retrieving the kid's broken down vehicles).

K

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...001/towbar.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...01/trailer.jpg

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...scan0002-1.jpg


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...k/100_8033.jpg


http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...d/DSC00394.jpg



http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...r/DSCF0547.jpg


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../GTO/69GMC.jpg

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

I gotta bagged burban and bagged S10 that I wanna tow to shows, figured the easiest route would be turnin my halfer into a 1 ton dually and call her done, i know that if I was just pullin the dime the truck would be fine ( with a blower of course) but the 2 plus the trailer would be a bit much. Guess I need to let my marbles drop and step up to a true dually huh

Re: half ton to 1 ton, can it be done?
 

The difference between towing with a half ton and a one ton is very noticeable. The dually rearend lessens the load on each tire, plus those honkin' springs can take the weight. Brakes are huge, front and back. Tow a decent load once or twice with a dually and you won't care to mess with a half ton for anything but your motorcycle trailer.