1/2 Ton Converted To A 3/4 Ton.

[vmax]

I HAVE A `86 1/2 TON 4+4 WITH A 700R TRANS.
I WANT TO CONVERT THIS TRUCK TO A 3/4 TON.IS THIS PROCESS EASY TO DO?OR IS A LONG DRAG OUT PROCESS?
ANY FEED BACK WOULD BE GREAT,THANKS,VMAX

[Mike C]

Depends. Do you just want 3/4 ton hubs in front and a 3/4 ton axle in the rear? Or do you want the increased torsional capacity of the frame, driveshafts, etc? If your truck is nothing special, it may be best to start with a 3/4 ton truck. If you have a short bed and want the parts, just swap springs, shocks, axles, power booster, prop valve etc. onto your truck. Look for a complete donor vehicle is the best way to go about this IMO.

[powermad]

I did this to my K5 about a year ago.
Nothing to it but to do it.
I did it in a gravel driveway in the rain with hand tools.
****uphill in the snow**** LMAO
I started it on a saturday morn bright and early, took it to the tire shop and drove it to work on Monday.
I have a 14 bolt Full Floater open carrier in the rear. (spiders welded) from a 2x4, the spring pads are the same width but I had to relocate the shock mounts.
A 14FF from a 3/4 ton 4x4 is a direct bolt on.
I paid $50 for mine with 4:10 gears.
You can get them with a Gov loc (posi/lim.slip whatever ya want to call it)
Now while the 10 and 12 bolt gov loc is prone to a spectacular display of broken parts a 14 bolt one is a bit stronger and if ya want/need a mild traction device then find an axle with that in it.
But to be able to use a Detroit locker(only other traction aid besides welding) then ya want to get an open carrier as a detroit will not go into the gov locked carrier.
On to the front axle.
I have an external hub D44, any 8 lug from a GM rig is a direct bolt on.
Corporate 10 bolt,D44 and the D60.
Forget about a D60 for now unless ya have them growing from trees. LOL
I had just bought my tires, 33x12.5x15 EXT's.
So I bought a set of wheels from 4WPW 15x10 8 lug white wagon wheels. $41 ea.
I went to a spring shop and bought new u-bolts for $10 ea.
My front axle bolted up with no mods.
The rear axle will need a hybrid u-joint. Because mine is/was a 12 bolt it has 1310 series u-joints which required a Napa # 348 u-joint at the diff.
10 bolts are a 1330 sries joint and the Napa # for that is 447.
Short story long.... any 3/4 ton 4x4 axles from 73-87. will work.
You could still get 3/4 ton axles 14FF 10 bolt in burbs till 91.
To get the 15" wheels to fit I had to grind the front axle calipers and backing plates a bit.
They fit over the rear drums with plenty of room to spare.
I also had to drop my t-case 1.5" to keep the rear yoke from binding.
Like your 208 my 205 has a slip yoke so watch the angle.
I know others that had no problems, every rig seems to be different.
If I forgot something just holler