3/4 ton to 1/2 ton conversion

[68c10owner]

Who`s done it and whats involved for both front and rear suspensions? thanks.

[Jim_PA]

Well, I imagine it would be easiest to get a complete front front subframe from a 67-87 truck. Then, Get the rear, and figure out if you want coil or leaf springs.

Shouldn't be all that hard

[lpaine]

The track bar and mounts are different on the 1/2 and 3/4, you'll have to get them swapped (grind the rivets off). Can't think of anything else, have'nt had my first cup of coffee yet, someone else is sure to think of something else...

[Aarons72s]

I havent done it but researched to do the oposite, ie 1/2 to 3/4. So it should work vise versa. If your truck is a coil truck then here is how.

1. get a 1/2 ton 67-72 rear axle and panard bar. The bar that goes from the frame to the axle.

2. Change the rear springs to your liking- stock or lowered- your choice. Or if you want leave the stock 3/4 ton springs.

3. If you choose to keep your original front crossmember then you will have to change the lower a arms, tie rods and spindles.

The reason you have to change lower a arms is the ball joint hole diamater is larger than 1/2 ton ball joints.

The upper a arm you can reuse and just install the 1/2 ton ball joint.

Just choose the ball joints for the spindle you are using.

Tie rods will change depending on which spindle you use.

You can use your stock springs or swap out for 1/2 ton or lowered springs.

That is the main changes you have to do. The rest involves what brakes you plan on using, ie disk or drums on the front. If I forgot something please add and if you have questions or concerns please ask. Hope this helps.

[snacob14]

Why are you changing stuff around may I ask. I'm lowering mine and leaving it all 3/4 ton. I think that pumpkin on my Eaton will look awesome sticking through the bed

[68c10owner]

first of all, I don`t have a truck yet. The reason that I would want to change is because I don`t need a 3/4 ton truck but they are easier to find sometimes. I also plan to shorten one to a shortbed. I`m wanting to build just a cruiser and I prefer shortbeds. Early Classics sells a conversion spindle to convert the front to 1/2 ton and i`m not sure what all I`ll need for the rear. There are several 1/2 trucks around here pretty cheap but I see alot of 3/4 tons alot cheaper.

[Sinister]

Originally Posted by snacob14

Why are you changing stuff around may I ask. I'm lowering mine and leaving it all 3/4 ton. I think that pumpkin on my Eaton will look awesome sticking through the bed

How are you lowering your 3/4 ton, and is it leaf springs or coils in the rear?

[TotalChevy1]

I've started the process on mine. I dropped the back about four inches by taking out leafs and adding shackles and in the process of adding 2" drop coils in the front(c10) and dearching my remaining leafs so I can get the truck level, but that won't happen until I put the coils in so I can see what I have to drop. I would keep the rest. If you get a 72 it comes with front brakes and the back has larger drums but that just adds a little weight and bigger brakes. that will help the back tires grab and stop, which is a good thing. Even with 8 lug, they have large selection of rims so that is'nt an issue anymore.