Is a 1 ton to 1/2 ton conversion possible without a new frame?

[fabnsmitty]

still seriously considering the 73-87 frame though. The wheelbase may be off a little but i can fix that when i take out the leaves and put trailin arms and coils on the back. And as far as body mounts and the radiator core support go, I dont think it could be that much fab to do if i used the old body mount brackets and modded the core support a little, if anyone knows of a reason i definitely should not do this let me know, the reason im leaning so hard towards it is because those frames should be a little easier to find and parts should be a lil cheaper imho.

[Captainfab]

I would recommend not doing this. You will either end up with a truck that looks like it's a stock K10 or it will be more work that you were wanting to do. I've done it and I wasn't happy with the results. Although the customer was pleased. IMO it would be much easier and less overall work to keep the original frame and just transfer all the running gear from a '73-'87 C10. You could keep the '73-'87 leafs or convert it to trailing arms and coils like you mentioned. If you want trailing arms either way, see if you can find a '63-'72 frame to work with.

Since that truck is a C30, it may not have the torsion bars on the front suspension. If not then it shouldn't have the X-member in the middle either. That would make using the original frame a bit easier.

Originally Posted by fabnsmitty

still seriously considering the 73-87 frame though. The wheelbase may be off a little but i can fix that when i take out the leaves and put trailin arms and coils on the back. And as far as body mounts and the radiator core support go, I dont think it could be that much fab to do if i used the old body mount brackets and modded the core support a little, if anyone knows of a reason i definitely should not do this let me know, the reason im leaning so hard towards it is because those frames should be a little easier to find and parts should be a lil cheaper imho.

[62gmc910]

Originally Posted by fabnsmitty

still seriously considering the 73-87 frame though. The wheelbase may be off a little but i can fix that when i take out the leaves and put trailin arms and coils on the back. And as far as body mounts and the radiator core support go, I dont think it could be that much fab to do if i used the old body mount brackets and modded the core support a little, if anyone knows of a reason i definitely should not do this let me know, the reason im leaning so hard towards it is because those frames should be a little easier to find and parts should be a lil cheaper imho.

73-87 truck frames kick up at mid cab, so if you plan on using a 73-87 frame a suburban would be a better place to start, but you will have to check the wheel base, I think I would look for a 1/2 or 3/4 to coil truck to startwith and save the grief.
Or you could get aftermarket spindles and use 1/2 ton ball joints and keep the torsion bar front end, torsion bar fronts can drag frame if the rear levers are re-clocked, but no one other than me seems to know that