How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW??

[98Murray]

I have a 1985 GMC 2500 with the 454, 4 speed, and 14 bolt rear. I would like to throw a flatbed on it and dual rear wheels with the dual style fronts. What all will I need? The rear should be simple enough, just DRW hubs and brakes right? I am not so sure about the front though. Do I need full 1 ton front end parts or just spindles hubs and brakes or does the whole front end need to be changed to 1 ton dually style? Also I am wanting to put 1 ton springs on it, the old suspension is pretty worn and needs replaced soon. Will the 1 ton springs simply swap out with the ones I have now? Basically I want to turn this into a true 1 ton DRW truck. It has the engine trans and rear to do it. Heres a quick photo. Thanks!

[bmchevy1979]

The rear ends are different the 14bolt cab chassis rear has different location for the drum backing plates and a full width dually is a dana70 not a 14bolt so you can either swap rears or run spacers to make it dually in the rear I believe that 1 tons also had the springs moved closer together to allow room but the springs might be the same I believe all 1 tons got 56in springs.
someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that is the case. Not sure about front

[Rubble]

I might be able to shed some light on this,I swapped from DRW to SRW couple years ago on a flat deck truck. This truck was originally a SRW,the PO swapped to DRW & I swapped back.The rear drums didn't change,I just put in shorter studs,it didn't use dually hubs on front,just regular 8 bolt wheels.There was no clearance issue for inside dual either.I don't know if there is any difference between 3/4 & 1 ton springs on the front,but the Dana 60 or 10 bolt axle have the same spring perch measurements.

[SCOTI]

I'm pretty sure your front end is basically the same as a dually except for the brakes. You can swap some DRW front rotors in place but need to make sure you have the right calipers (some have the same caliper as a dually, some don't).

Not sure of what can interchange on the rears. I do have some 1-ton leaf packs off my CC dually if you're in need.

[cadillac_al]

The legal GVW wouldn't change would it?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

The legal GVW wouldn't change would it?

It wouldn't. But, there is no difference in the 1-ton vs 3/4 ton frame rail height which is where they would remain unchanged. The supporting gear (front brakes/springs) & rear suspension (rear housing/springs) are the items that will increase capacity.

[brakenit]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=382332

I'm pretty sure according to that chart for the regular cabs the frame rail height is the same from C10-C20 but the C20 is thicker, C30 is taller and thicker. It may be different for Crew Cabs though as the C20943 and C30943 in that chart are the same height/thickness.

[jjmorrse]

Unless somebody has fun doing the work, in this part of texas it is not unusual to find 1ton duallys running pretty cheap. I may be mistaken, but I think the frame rails might be taller, at least on the crews. By the end, it might be easier to get one and scavenge the best from both, then sell the leftovers.

[cadillac_al]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

It wouldn't. But, there is no difference in the 1-ton vs 3/4 ton frame rail height which is where they would remain unchanged. The supporting gear (front brakes/springs) & rear suspension (rear housing/springs) are the items that will increase capacity.

You can increase capacity for off road use, but you can still only legally haul the weight listed on the door sticker on US highways. That's why it is usually more practical to buy a dually than to build one.

[v30crewcab]

one tons definately have bigger frames, and different spring hangers, and inboarded shocks, lots of little things.

[ruffrida2005]

If your rear is a 8 lug I will trade you rears for my DRW Dana 70. I need the shorter axle to run semi wheels.