10-28-2002, 04:12 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Posts: 318
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1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton
My question is this: what are the advantages and disadvantages in the following areas:
gas mileage-my half ton has a 3.08 rear end, whats the lowest you can get in a 3/4? reliability-are the 3/4s stronger? parts cost and availability-I think I know this one..... handling-what if you put low profile tires (like 60 series) on those 16" 8 lug wheels? and anything else you can think of..... thanks!
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57 suburban(sitting in the driveway), 2 69 C20 longbeds (sitting in the field ) and a 2003 8.1 Suburban Endeavor to persevere. "All of a sudden, I'm the old timer!" Some old timer on American Pickers. |
10-28-2002, 04:57 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 5,817
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Well, the first one that comes to mind is the fact that you can get SWB in 1/2 ton.
There's been some debate about thicker frame rails for 3/4 ton. I know the front-end components are more substantial-so you can assume they're stronger. Rear trailing arms (if coil) are reinforced, and coils are thicker. Plus you get more options with 3/4 ton for front and rear suspension, like thicker sway bars for the front, and heavier differential and optional overload springs for the rear for 3/4 ton.
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'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. |
10-28-2002, 05:10 PM | #3 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,402
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Yup, heavier suspension,lower gears= more power & also less milage. If I am using a truck for a hauler, i want a TRUCK......3/4 or 1 ton that I can work the poop out of! For a daily driver/occasional hauler, I would rather be in a 1/2 ton, or a mini with a V8. My old 78 k 20 is a workhorse.......but gets worse milage than my hotrod longhorn. the kids sb chev powered ranger does good with gas, & fun to drive......but if you load a wheelbarrow, its box is full! crazy AL
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10-28-2002, 08:10 PM | #4 |
Used to have a truck
Join Date: May 2002
Location: port orchard WA
Posts: 1,552
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Can O' Worms
1/2 ton = half a truck ! If I wanted a car I'd drive a car. Trucks are for hauling stuff around from time to time be it furniture home from the store or 3000 lbs of scrap metal to the scrapyard. You can do that with a 3/4 or 1 ton. I had a 1/2 ton 69 and thought I was going to pop the tires in the stupid thing when I put 2000 lbs in the bed once. Ended up putting 3/4 ton springs in it just to make it safe to drive. For the life of me I cant understand why anyone would take a perfectly good 3/4 ton truck and ruin it by putting 5 lug spindles and 15 inch wheels and lowering it so its worthless as a truck. I'll never own another 1/2 ton. I like heavy duty parts in a heavy duty truck. Not little sissy trucks. Thats just my opinion
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10-28-2002, 08:42 PM | #5 |
My other Love
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada
Posts: 4,085
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my 69 chevy i use for haulong ass. So that requires only a 1/2 ton. My 77 silverado 3/4 ton camper special is a work horse. 4.10 rear pozzy 5 core rad 400 small block with a turbo 400. the thing has 8600 gvwr now this is a real work horse
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Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life |
10-28-2002, 11:06 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Killen, Alabama USA
Posts: 3,628
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3/4 ton frame is thicker. 3.54 is the highest ratio you can get in an 8-lug. (only available in BB trucks). I have a '72 1/2 ton longbed and put HD rear coil springs off a 3/4 ton truck with the factory auxiliary leaf springs. That's the way to go!
Joshua |
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