3/4 ton to 1/2 ton Control Arms and Coil Springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sickboy73 · 01-31-2008, 06:37 AM

I want to know if I can use 1/2 ton Upper and Lower Control Arms and coil springs with a 3/4 ton Spindle? I have a 3/4 Ton 2WD 87 GMC Burban that has somekind of 3" lift (this is how I bought it), but the ride is a bit rough. Every bump I hit feels like my suspension is going to break. I go a lot to Baja and the roads are pretty rough out there. I wanted to install a Fabtech long travel suspension kit, but they only have them for 1/2 ton trucks/suv's.

BLE 'BURBAN · 01-31-2008, 02:40 PM

Upper control arms are the same and the upper ball joints simply bolt into them. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the lower control arms as the LBJ's (Lower Ball Joints) are pressed in and are of 2 different diameters on their mounting surface.
Also the taper on the stems are smaller in diameter for the 1/2 ton as opposed to the 3/4 ton.Springs will be interchangeible but not the spindles.
the only way i can see to do it would be to have the 1/2 ton spindles machined to fit the 3/4 ton ball joints. Just make sure there's plenty of "meat" to ream them out without risking weakening them.

**N2TRUX** · 02-01-2008, 01:02 AM

BLE what about tire rod ends? Will they be the same as well?

BLE 'BURBAN · 02-01-2008, 03:24 AM

I think so but let me verify before commiting to that.

BLE 'BURBAN · 02-01-2008, 03:32 AM

Update...........

That is an afirmative. The tie rod ends are interchangable between the 1/2 & 3/4 tons.

Sickboy73 · 02-05-2008, 06:55 PM

So if I replace the springs only will this soften up the ride? I don't want to switch out my spindles because I want to keep the wheels I have. Another thing is there a way to rig the stock A-arms to do a dual shock set up. If so how would I go about making it happen?

**N2TRUX** · 02-06-2008, 12:24 AM

I'm going to move this to the 4wd section. I realize this is a 2wd, but I think you will get a better response there for what you are trying to do.

01-31-2008, 06:37 AM	#1
Sickboy73 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 12	3/4 ton to 1/2 ton Control Arms and Coil Springs I want to know if I can use 1/2 ton Upper and Lower Control Arms and coil springs with a 3/4 ton Spindle? I have a 3/4 Ton 2WD 87 GMC Burban that has somekind of 3" lift (this is how I bought it), but the ride is a bit rough. Every bump I hit feels like my suspension is going to break. I go a lot to Baja and the roads are pretty rough out there. I wanted to install a Fabtech long travel suspension kit, but they only have them for 1/2 ton trucks/suv's.

01-31-2008, 02:40 PM	#2
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton Control Arms and Coil Springs Upper control arms are the same and the upper ball joints simply bolt into them. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the lower control arms as the LBJ's (Lower Ball Joints) are pressed in and are of 2 different diameters on their mounting surface. Also the taper on the stems are smaller in diameter for the 1/2 ton as opposed to the 3/4 ton.Springs will be interchangeible but not the spindles. the only way i can see to do it would be to have the 1/2 ton spindles machined to fit the 3/4 ton ball joints. Just make sure there's plenty of "meat" to ream them out without risking weakening them. __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

02-01-2008, 01:02 AM	#3
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton Control Arms and Coil Springs BLE what about tire rod ends? Will they be the same as well? __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

02-01-2008, 03:24 AM	#4
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton Control Arms and Coil Springs I think so but let me verify before commiting to that. __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

02-01-2008, 03:32 AM	#5
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton Control Arms and Coil Springs Update........... That is an afirmative. The tie rod ends are interchangable between the 1/2 & 3/4 tons. __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade Last edited by BLE 'BURBAN; 02-01-2008 at 04:05 AM.

02-05-2008, 06:55 PM	#6
Sickboy73 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 12	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton Control Arms and Coil Springs So if I replace the springs only will this soften up the ride? I don't want to switch out my spindles because I want to keep the wheels I have. Another thing is there a way to rig the stock A-arms to do a dual shock set up. If so how would I go about making it happen?

02-06-2008, 12:24 AM	#7
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton Control Arms and Coil Springs I'm going to move this to the 4wd section. I realize this is a 2wd, but I think you will get a better response there for what you are trying to do. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"



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