1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Charlesdur · 04-09-2008, 07:01 PM

Hello everyone,

I have been searching like mad and need some help. I just snatched a 1971 fleetside with a screamin 454 for $1000.00 (family deal)

. It is a 3/4 ton with rear leaf springs and drum brakes. Front has coils and disk brakes. I want to convert it over to 1/2 ton so I can have 5 lugs and do a 4/6 drop on it. I will list what I have currently been told and have been searching threads, but starting to think that I might be out of my mind. I could buy a 1/2 ton and move my engine over, but it was the grandpas truck and cant do that.

#1 (REAR) need to swap out the rear end and find a 9.5” 14 bolt semi floating rear differential so that I dont have to get a new drive shaft. These come in 5 and 6 lug, but the 5 lug is hard to find and expensive.
Any direct bolt on advice woule be GREEEEEAAAAATTTT...

#2 (FRONT) I can buy a complete kit from ECE or LMC truck and swap it all over. My question is that since these kits are made for 1/2 ton trucks and I want mine as a 1/2 ton will it work?

#3 Find a 1971 or 1972 with all of its suspension and transfer over

Thanks

Cyclone44 · 04-09-2008, 07:07 PM

Welcome from Knoxville Tn....

Charlesdur · 04-09-2008, 07:10 PM

I have pictures below of the 454, my 390 and the 66 tbird if interested.

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72BlckButy · 04-09-2008, 09:20 PM

to the board from Mid-MO!!!

You'll find this place to become your second home. There's tons of information, friends, parts, .... and so much more.

Just to wanted to bring this to your attention....

2008 Board Meet in Big Sandy, TN

shaneschevys · 04-09-2008, 09:38 PM

Welcome from FT Worth TX.

Charlesdur · 04-09-2008, 10:36 PM

There are a few lucky people out there that have friends they can call for a question about these trucks.

I feel now that I have thousands of new friends

DREAMS OF A 67 · 04-09-2008, 11:40 PM

FROM KNOXVILLE TN!!!

L0WRIDE · 04-10-2008, 01:29 AM

Welcome to the boards

jsbgump · 04-10-2008, 02:40 AM

Welcome to the board from Texas

Charlesdur · 04-10-2008, 05:55 PM

Ok I found a rear end out of a 1971 C10, 12 bolt, 5 lug 3.70 gears. The person wants $400.00 complete, is that a good deal?

Charlesdur · 04-10-2008, 09:55 PM

The FAQs page is awesome. Thank you Nate for having those links in your signature.

tcb-1 · 04-13-2008, 04:41 AM

NICE Bird. Those Kelseys are so smooth! as for your rear end, that's about right, but I'd pop the cover and take a peek before I laid out the cash-ola

Welcome Aboard from Shawnee, KS!

Charlesdur · 04-15-2008, 05:48 PM

Thanks for the idea Doug. I am in the middle now of debating if I want to buy all new side molding or fill in the holes. I have also been searching for 8 lug rims and have found some that I like, now trying to figure out if a set of drop leaf springs for a 1/2 ton will work to get the drop that I want. Then the question is how do I drop the front? I cant find any 3/4 ton drop sprindles or springs. Anyone have any links or thoughts?

86swb · 04-16-2008, 02:20 AM

Welcome for Mayfield, Ky.

**Ron 586** · 04-16-2008, 08:52 AM

Welcome to the board from West Tennessee.

krue · 04-17-2008, 12:40 AM

Welcome to the board from south Mississippi!

You'll get better answers on the 67-72 Message board.

CJ5 Convert · 04-17-2008, 08:28 AM

Welcome to the board from Super Windy New Mexico -Jason

Old Chevy Mech · 04-23-2008, 05:47 PM

from CT!

Frank

04-09-2008, 09:20 PM	#4
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton to the board from Mid-MO!!! You'll find this place to become your second home. There's tons of information, friends, parts, .... and so much more. Just to wanted to bring this to your attention.... 2008 Board Meet in Big Sandy, TN __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

04-09-2008, 09:38 PM	#5
shaneschevys Its always something! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FT Worth,TX Posts: 4,992	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Welcome from FT Worth TX. __________________ 79 p10 stepvan 72 Short Fleetside 72 Suburban 67 GMC One Ton Flatbed 64 Short Fleetside 57 Chevy 2DR Hard Top 57 Chevy 2dr wagon 65 f* short fleet 63 C 60 Flatbed Member of the patina club**

04-09-2008, 10:36 PM	#6
Charlesdur Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 62	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton There are a few lucky people out there that have friends they can call for a question about these trucks. I feel now that I have thousands of new friends __________________ Charles 1971 3/4 ton 454 cu.in. 4 speed manual 1966 Thunderbird 390 cu.in. Airride Roadster

04-09-2008, 11:40 PM	#7
DREAMS OF A 67 Step Brother Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: knoxville TN Posts: 1,950	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton FROM KNOXVILLE TN!!!

04-10-2008, 01:29 AM	#8
L0WRIDE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,166	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Welcome to the boards __________________ 49 CHEVROLET 1/2 TON, 52 CHEVROLET SEDAN 62 HARDTOP NOVA 65 CHEVROLET BB LWB FLEETSIDE 90 CHEVROLET EXTRA CAB CHEVY ONLY - NZ Chapter http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=137984

04-09-2008, 07:01 PM	#1
Charlesdur Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 62	1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Hello everyone, I have been searching like mad and need some help. I just snatched a 1971 fleetside with a screamin 454 for $1000.00 (family deal). It is a 3/4 ton with rear leaf springs and drum brakes. Front has coils and disk brakes. I want to convert it over to 1/2 ton so I can have 5 lugs and do a 4/6 drop on it. I will list what I have currently been told and have been searching threads, but starting to think that I might be out of my mind. I could buy a 1/2 ton and move my engine over, but it was the grandpas truck and cant do that. #1 (REAR) need to swap out the rear end and find a 9.5” 14 bolt semi floating rear differential so that I dont have to get a new drive shaft. These come in 5 and 6 lug, but the 5 lug is hard to find and expensive. Any direct bolt on advice woule be GREEEEEAAAAATTTT... #2 (FRONT) I can buy a complete kit from ECE or LMC truck and swap it all over. My question is that since these kits are made for 1/2 ton trucks and I want mine as a 1/2 ton will it work? #3 Find a 1971 or 1972 with all of its suspension and transfer over Thanks __________________ Charles 1971 3/4 ton 454 cu.in. 4 speed manual 1966 Thunderbird 390 cu.in. Airride Roadster Last edited by Charlesdur; 04-09-2008 at 07:04 PM.

04-09-2008, 07:07 PM	#2
Cyclone44 Step Brother Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: K-town Posts: 4,029	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Welcome from Knoxville Tn....

04-09-2008, 07:10 PM	#3
Charlesdur Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 62	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton I have pictures below of the 454, my 390 and the 66 tbird if interested. __________________ Charles 1971 3/4 ton 454 cu.in. 4 speed manual 1966 Thunderbird 390 cu.in. Airride Roadster Last edited by Charlesdur; 04-09-2008 at 07:35 PM.

04-10-2008, 02:40 AM	#9
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Welcome to the board from Texas __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616

04-10-2008, 05:55 PM	#10
Charlesdur Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 62	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Ok I found a rear end out of a 1971 C10, 12 bolt, 5 lug 3.70 gears. The person wants $400.00 complete, is that a good deal? __________________ Charles 1971 3/4 ton 454 cu.in. 4 speed manual 1966 Thunderbird 390 cu.in. Airride Roadster Last edited by Charlesdur; 04-10-2008 at 06:08 PM.

04-10-2008, 09:55 PM	#11
Charlesdur Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 62	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton The FAQs page is awesome. Thank you Nate for having those links in your signature. __________________ Charles 1971 3/4 ton 454 cu.in. 4 speed manual 1966 Thunderbird 390 cu.in. Airride Roadster

04-13-2008, 04:41 AM	#12
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton NICE Bird. Those Kelseys are so smooth! as for your rear end, that's about right, but I'd pop the cover and take a peek before I laid out the cash-ola Welcome Aboard from Shawnee, KS! __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson Last edited by tcb-1; 04-13-2008 at 04:42 AM.

04-15-2008, 05:48 PM	#13
Charlesdur Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 62	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Thanks for the idea Doug. I am in the middle now of debating if I want to buy all new side molding or fill in the holes. I have also been searching for 8 lug rims and have found some that I like, now trying to figure out if a set of drop leaf springs for a 1/2 ton will work to get the drop that I want. Then the question is how do I drop the front? I cant find any 3/4 ton drop sprindles or springs. Anyone have any links or thoughts? __________________ Charles 1971 3/4 ton 454 cu.in. 4 speed manual 1966 Thunderbird 390 cu.in. Airride Roadster

04-16-2008, 02:20 AM	#14
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Welcome for Mayfield, Ky. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

04-16-2008, 08:52 AM	#15
Ron 586 RIP Mr Ron Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Sandy, Tn. 38221 Posts: 8,150	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Welcome to the board from West Tennessee. __________________ Ron (Mr Round Tuit) Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle TN Message Forum TN Facebook Group SETN Truck Show My Photobucket



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04-17-2008, 12:40 AM	#16
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Welcome to the board from south Mississippi! You'll get better answers on the 67-72 Message board. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

04-17-2008, 08:28 AM	#17
CJ5 Convert Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 1,079	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton Welcome to the board from Super Windy New Mexico -Jason __________________ - Jason *Orange Crush - 1969 K5 Blazer CST 4WD MONEY PIT* 1975 CJ5 Renegade - Levi's Edition - 304 V8 original paint

04-23-2008, 05:47 PM	#18
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: 1971 3/4 swap to 1/2 ton from CT! Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

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