1/2 ton -VS- 3/4 ton front axles ???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevypete396 · 02-02-2003, 11:10 PM

Hey all,

I need to replace the front end on the 68 which is a 3/4 ton .
The one on the truck now is an 8 lug - closed knuckle

I found a closed knuckle 1/2 ton front end from a 69 for a good price it even has the gearing I am looking for but its 6 lug.

The reason I need to replace the front end is the case has cracked and been welded.

Can anyone tell me the differences between the two units besides the number of lugs?

The main thing I need to know is can the 1/2 ton case work in my truck with my 8 lug wheels if I swap in the 3/4 ton axle shafts... Pete

**breeh** · 02-03-2003, 02:29 AM

Pete, you should be able to swap over your 8 lug stuff. The cases are the same.

chevypete396 · 02-03-2003, 04:44 PM

Thanks, I was hoping they were. I was really bummed out when I found out that the axle I was looking at was a 6 lug 1/2 ton. This cheers me up some... Pete.

DINS 1 · 02-04-2003, 12:24 AM

if the 1/2 ton is a open knuckle you may run in to problems. this would be a good time to get a open knuckle 3/4 ton with disk brakes. all you need is a front out of a 71 or 72 3/4 ton. even the 73 and to about 75 dana 44 out of a 3/4 would work. some time in the late 70's they changed to 10 bolt gm fronts.

02-02-2003, 11:10 PM	#1
chevypete396 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fernley, Nevada, USA Posts: 540	1/2 ton -VS- 3/4 ton front axles ???? Hey all, I need to replace the front end on the 68 which is a 3/4 ton . The one on the truck now is an 8 lug - closed knuckle I found a closed knuckle 1/2 ton front end from a 69 for a good price it even has the gearing I am looking for but its 6 lug. The reason I need to replace the front end is the case has cracked and been welded. Can anyone tell me the differences between the two units besides the number of lugs? The main thing I need to know is can the 1/2 ton case work in my truck with my 8 lug wheels if I swap in the 3/4 ton axle shafts... Pete __________________ 1968 Chevy - 3/4 Ton - 4X4 - Longbed - 383ci - TH350 - NP205 Building the motor, painting the engine bay, rewireing everything... (775)-527-1199 / ryanspeterson@msn.com

02-03-2003, 02:29 AM	#2
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Pete, you should be able to swap over your 8 lug stuff. The cases are the same. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

02-03-2003, 04:44 PM	#3
chevypete396 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fernley, Nevada, USA Posts: 540	Thanks, I was hoping they were. I was really bummed out when I found out that the axle I was looking at was a 6 lug 1/2 ton. This cheers me up some... Pete. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 3/4 Ton - 4X4 - Longbed - 383ci - TH350 - NP205 Building the motor, painting the engine bay, rewireing everything... (775)-527-1199 / ryanspeterson@msn.com

02-04-2003, 12:24 AM	#4
DINS 1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Webster City, Iowa USA Posts: 572	if the 1/2 ton is a open knuckle you may run in to problems. this would be a good time to get a open knuckle 3/4 ton with disk brakes. all you need is a front out of a 71 or 72 3/4 ton. even the 73 and to about 75 dana 44 out of a 3/4 would work. some time in the late 70's they changed to 10 bolt gm fronts. __________________ Wade "DURAMAX BURB" Burb on 2004 chevy 2500HD 4x4 Duramax chassis Long term project 2004 2500HD 4x4 crew cab GMC Duramax 4" lift 35's 79 RS Camaro



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