what the h*ll is the difference??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

special70gmc · 11-12-2002, 10:25 PM

i cant figure out what the difference between the 3/4 tonand the 1/2 ton front suspention i wanna put disks and drop 21/2 spindles up there will 1/2 ton spindles fit? it doesnt tow or carry any thing. does any one know?

imdarren · 11-12-2002, 11:06 PM

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong. But I think the only differance is heavier coil springs, swaybar, and 8 lugs on the brake rotors. I think the spindles would be the same.
Anyone disagree?

Darren

Johns70 · 11-12-2002, 11:10 PM

early classic enterprises make a 3/4 drop spindel check them out.
I also know by misfortune that the crossmember it self is different at the upper a-arm mounting they take a diferent a-arm shaft also.

chevyforever · 11-12-2002, 11:11 PM

i think that the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton spindles have a different taper where the hub/drum assembly ride. therefore, you won't be albe to use 1/2 ton spindles with 3/4 ton hub, and vice versa.
someone correct me if i'm wrong.

forever

Longhorn Man · 11-13-2002, 01:08 AM

Been a while since I dug around in a 3/4 ton, and I have't taken a wheel off of my one ton since april, but I think there is nothing in there that swaps out with a 1/2 ton except for the spring.

slam33 · 11-13-2002, 10:32 AM

1/2 ton spindles will not fit. Everything is larger. Larger ball joints, tie rods, and spindle shaft

crazy longhorn · 11-13-2002, 12:18 PM

I have swapped a 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton pcs......you will be changing a lot of parts! My longhorn still has the original crossmember, & top a arms & shafts. The 1/2 ton ball joints will bolt to the 3/4 ton TOP arms, but the lower arms need to be swapped(the hole size is different for the ball joint). That gets the spindles mounted, but you arent done yet! you still haveall the steering linkage to deal with. I still have the 3/4 ton center link(my guess is a 71-72 pc), as it had been swapped to discs(3/4 ton). the inner tie rods are also 3/4 ton pcs, but the outers are 1/2 ton items. then the 1/2 ton spindles & rotors(5 lug) were bolted on.......sound like fun yet? You can get a 3/4 ton drop spindle & retain the 8 lug wheels, but I think they are designed for 71-up balljoints, tierods ,ect. Good luck......69

**COBALT** · 11-13-2002, 12:42 PM

I'm in the same boat you are. I just rebuilt my 3/4 ton suspension, and am going to lower it and convert to 1/2 ton later. Yes, Early Classic Enterprises makes a spindle that will adapt to 3/4 ton suspension parts for 1/2 ton conversions. You'll be able to reuse all of your 3/4 ton parts. Check them out:

Early Classic Enterprises

HotRod929 · 11-13-2002, 01:04 PM

Correct me if im wrong but the front springs from 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks are fully interchangeable. THey just cant carry as much. Im gonna hopefully put 1/2 ton drop spring up front on my 3/4 ton and hopefully they will also improve ride quality a bit.

HotRod

*Fast68Chevy* · 11-13-2002, 01:26 PM

yes springs will physically fit, and so will 1 ton springs, the pockets in the cradles and in the arms are all same diameter, the weight rating of the springs is the only difference and its not a huge difference between these ratings,
and the cradles are same cradle up through 1 ton, its the spindles that change from 1/2 to 3/4 ton. 3/4 ton ones are alot larger than 1/2 ton ones as previously mentioned.

good luck

special70gmc · 11-13-2002, 09:31 PM

so if i buy these 3/4 drop spindals can i bolt a disk brake kit for our year trucks on no problem? doesnt sound too bad but im sure theres a catch

special70gmc · 11-13-2002, 09:36 PM

o yeah i just put a brand new booster and mc on the truck i hope that doesnt need to be replaced/

crazy longhorn · 11-13-2002, 10:04 PM

You should be ok on the booster, but will need to change the master when you convert to discs(that wont be too big an ouch). You might check with some of the Vendors on the board on the spindles......Im sure GMC paul , or Wes will give you the" straight dope" on conversion pcs. good luck.....crazy longhorn

11-12-2002, 10:25 PM	#1
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	*what the hll is the difference???** i cant figure out what the difference between the 3/4 tonand the 1/2 ton front suspention i wanna put disks and drop 21/2 spindles up there will 1/2 ton spindles fit? it doesnt tow or carry any thing. does any one know? __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

11-12-2002, 11:06 PM	#2
imdarren Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: SW Washington Posts: 1,006	Someone will correct me if I'm wrong. But I think the only differance is heavier coil springs, swaybar, and 8 lugs on the brake rotors. I think the spindles would be the same. Anyone disagree? Darren __________________ Washington State 1967 Chevy C10 LWB Rodstoration In Progress. 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super

11-12-2002, 11:10 PM	#3
Johns70 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Spring Creek, nevada. U.S.A. Posts: 456	early classic enterprises make a 3/4 drop spindel check them out. I also know by misfortune that the crossmember it self is different at the upper a-arm mounting they take a diferent a-arm shaft also. __________________ 69 chevy short wide box project 70 GMC jimmy project

11-12-2002, 11:11 PM	#4
chevyforever Some like em' long! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Grace, Idaho Posts: 69	i think that the 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton spindles have a different taper where the hub/drum assembly ride. therefore, you won't be albe to use 1/2 ton spindles with 3/4 ton hub, and vice versa. someone correct me if i'm wrong. forever __________________ 1971 chevy c10 lwb- 300 hp 350 crate motor, soon to be more with ported and polished 62cc chamber 461 double humps, TH400, 3.73 posi, used to be my uncle's truck 1972 chevy k10 lwb- 350,4 spd, old and tired, dad bought brand new and is now mine 1968 chevy c20 lwb- 327, 4 spd, was originally a 50th anniversary truck 1990 GMC K1500-just my runaround truck 1982 Chevy K10 shortbed, new motor and new paint, another project in the mix of the others. IMPORTS SUCK!

11-13-2002, 10:32 AM	#6
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	1/2 ton spindles will not fit. Everything is larger. Larger ball joints, tie rods, and spindle shaft __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

11-13-2002, 01:08 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Been a while since I dug around in a 3/4 ton, and I have't taken a wheel off of my one ton since april, but I think there is nothing in there that swaps out with a 1/2 ton except for the spring.

11-13-2002, 12:18 PM	#7
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I have swapped a 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton pcs......you will be changing a lot of parts! My longhorn still has the original crossmember, & top a arms & shafts. The 1/2 ton ball joints will bolt to the 3/4 ton TOP arms, but the lower arms need to be swapped(the hole size is different for the ball joint). That gets the spindles mounted, but you arent done yet! you still haveall the steering linkage to deal with. I still have the 3/4 ton center link(my guess is a 71-72 pc), as it had been swapped to discs(3/4 ton). the inner tie rods are also 3/4 ton pcs, but the outers are 1/2 ton items. then the 1/2 ton spindles & rotors(5 lug) were bolted on.......sound like fun yet? You can get a 3/4 ton drop spindle & retain the 8 lug wheels, but I think they are designed for 71-up balljoints, tierods ,ect. Good luck......69 __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-13-2002, 12:42 PM	#8
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I'm in the same boat you are. I just rebuilt my 3/4 ton suspension, and am going to lower it and convert to 1/2 ton later. Yes, Early Classic Enterprises makes a spindle that will adapt to 3/4 ton suspension parts for 1/2 ton conversions. You'll be able to reuse all of your 3/4 ton parts. Check them out: Early Classic Enterprises __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

11-13-2002, 01:04 PM	#9
HotRod929 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school Posts: 767	Correct me if im wrong but the front springs from 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks are fully interchangeable. THey just cant carry as much. Im gonna hopefully put 1/2 ton drop spring up front on my 3/4 ton and hopefully they will also improve ride quality a bit. HotRod __________________ 1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/

11-13-2002, 01:26 PM	#10
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	yes springs will physically fit, and so will 1 ton springs, the pockets in the cradles and in the arms are all same diameter, the weight rating of the springs is the only difference and its not a huge difference between these ratings, and the cradles are same cradle up through 1 ton, its the spindles that change from 1/2 to 3/4 ton. 3/4 ton ones are alot larger than 1/2 ton ones as previously mentioned. good luck

11-13-2002, 09:31 PM	#11
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	so if i buy these 3/4 drop spindals can i bolt a disk brake kit for our year trucks on no problem? doesnt sound too bad but im sure theres a catch __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

11-13-2002, 09:36 PM	#12
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	o yeah i just put a brand new booster and mc on the truck i hope that doesnt need to be replaced/ __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

11-13-2002, 10:04 PM	#13
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	You should be ok on the booster, but will need to change the master when you convert to discs(that wont be too big an ouch). You might check with some of the Vendors on the board on the spindles......Im sure GMC paul , or Wes will give you the" straight dope" on conversion pcs. good luck.....crazy longhorn __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

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