3/4 ton -> 1/2 ton conversion.. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1BadSS · 04-23-2008, 06:35 AM

What all is needed to do this on the front? Can the spindles just be swapped or is it more indepth that I'm thinking? I'm going to head down to the scrapyard this weekend and find a nice 1/2 ton rearend and whatever frontend conversion parts that I need. Anyone know what I need for the front? I don't want to buy half of a truck and not need it.

BLE 'BURBAN · 04-23-2008, 07:56 AM

Upper ball joints bolt into the upper control arms - easily changed out.
Spindles will need to be swapped out.
Lower control arms will need to be completly swapped out since the lower ball jonits are pressed into them and are of different diameter in the mounting holes where they're pressinto the control arms between 1/2 & 3/4 ton.
The springs will interchange. Shock mounts SHOULD be the same but double check with your local napa auto parts store to see if the mounting points on the shocks are of the same diameter. It's been too long since I last investigated it to remember that detail.

**Captkaos** · 04-23-2008, 05:33 PM

OJOE did this recently on his 1T dually, you should be able to swap everything from the control arms out to the crossmember...

04-23-2008, 06:35 AM	#1
1BadSS NOT REALLY BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 1,072	3/4 ton -> 1/2 ton conversion.. What all is needed to do this on the front? Can the spindles just be swapped or is it more indepth that I'm thinking? I'm going to head down to the scrapyard this weekend and find a nice 1/2 ton rearend and whatever frontend conversion parts that I need. Anyone know what I need for the front? I don't want to buy half of a truck and not need it. __________________ 1987 Mustang Coupe - 2.7 Stroker, 78mm turbo, Stainless header, 3" Exh, FMIC, 160lb/hr Injectors, MS3, twin walbro 255's, 34psi. Eating V8's daily. 04 Pontiac GTO 04 Ford Mustang GT 68 C20 LWB stripper truck 73 K5 Cheyenne 76 C20 Sierra Crew SRW 88 K20 Suburban I'm not hammering on metal just to hammer, i'm creating a piece of art.

04-23-2008, 07:56 AM	#2
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: 3/4 ton -> 1/2 ton conversion.. Upper ball joints bolt into the upper control arms - easily changed out. Spindles will need to be swapped out. Lower control arms will need to be completly swapped out since the lower ball jonits are pressed into them and are of different diameter in the mounting holes where they're pressinto the control arms between 1/2 & 3/4 ton. The springs will interchange. Shock mounts SHOULD be the same but double check with your local napa auto parts store to see if the mounting points on the shocks are of the same diameter. It's been too long since I last investigated it to remember that detail. __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

04-23-2008, 05:33 PM	#3
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: 3/4 ton -> 1/2 ton conversion.. OJOE did this recently on his 1T dually, you should be able to swap everything from the control arms out to the crossmember... __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.