Why aren't 3/4's as popular as 1/2 tons?

[71400lb]

Just reading a few old posts...one mentions that if you're trying to sell a 3/4 ton truck, the market is narrower...why is that?

Rick
1971 Cheyenne 3/4 Ton Long Bed
406 SBC T400

['70_402]

in my opinion ride quality....the more heavy duty the harder the ride....

[Tx Firefighter]

I only do shortbeds (11 in a row at last count), That makes me a 1/2 ton guy.

[67chevemall]

Fuel is a bit#h and they ride hard! Best thing about them is they can go right through a ricer and keep on going! Then you put a cow catcher on the front and wow! WAR PIG! 1/2 tonns with 4 coils are the best dam ride out there.....

[COBALT]

1. Ride is rougher.
2. Truck is heavier.
3. They didn't make 3/4 ton short box trucks.
4. Breaks, front suspension parts, rear axles are all heavier and harder to work with - ESPECIALLY that damn corprate HO52 axle. It's a curse.
5. They made a million of them.
6. They're all have non-cool 8 lug hubs.

...so in order to "hot rod" a 3/4 ton truck a lot of guys swap out the drums for disks, use 5 or 6 lug hubs off of other trucks or aftermarket, reduce the springs, and use 1/2 ton parts to lighten the suspension. It's a lot of time, money and effort, so a lot of guys just go looking for 1/2 tons with stock parts already there....

[DoubleBit]

What I am hearing all makes sense. My TRUCK is a 68 C20, it's not a "hot rod" it's a truck: a redneck, gun rack equipped, no appologies for rough edges given or offered, truck. Did I say TRUCK enough?
The ride, fuel, and way low gear ranges make 3/4tons less cool to hot rodders.
Then there's the registration 110$ in CA. vs 55$ for C10s.
Parts cost and availabillity are better for the c10.
Just a note though all the c10s little stuff, trim etc, work fine on the c20.
I wouldn't trade.
Ps. Fuel economy (something of an oxymoron in this context) with 4.56 gears, th400, 327 4v, I'm getting around 12.5 mpg. Pretty acceptable considering what the ol' brute will haul or tow.

[71400lb]

so this brings me to my next question...what is/are the advantage(s) to owning a C/20 as opposed to a C/10?

[Stryker67]

I've towed with a c/10 longbed, and I towed my stock car with a c/10 short bed, and a k/10 short bed. It was always an exhilerating experience. I believe towing with the c/20 is much better. Stands to reason since it was designed that way.

[No3Fan4Ever]

Originally Posted by DoubleBit

What I am hearing all makes sense. My TRUCK is a 68 C20, it's not a "hot rod" it's a truck: a redneck, gun rack equipped, no appologies for rough edges given or offered, truck. Did I say TRUCK enough?
The ride, fuel, and way low gear ranges make 3/4tons less cool to hot rodders.
Then there's the registration 110$ in CA. vs 55$ for C10s.
Parts cost and availabillity are better for the c10.
Just a note though all the c10s little stuff, trim etc, work fine on the c20.
I wouldn't trade.
Ps. Fuel economy (something of an oxymoron in this context) with 4.56 gears, th400, 327 4v, I'm getting around 12.5 mpg. Pretty acceptable considering what the ol' brute will haul or tow.

Yeah, what he said...................

[DoubleBit]

Thanks number three fan! Can I join the drum brakes fan club too? Sorta sounds like old biker days stuff, Team Obsolete!

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

3/4 and 1 tons rock! No sissy 1/2 tons for me. j/k My 3/4 longbed has coils all the way around and the ride is great compared to leaf springs, but that's just me. If you want towing power, a 3/4 or a 1 ton is the way to go. Mine used to be a cab chassis truck and had a flatbed with a gin pole on it, then the pickup bed got put on it in the mid 70's, right before it was sold to my Granddad. I've got an old pic of it when my Granddad just bought it in '78 and it looked sweet!

[drenwick]

Bigger, beefier, bouncier, badder - 3/4T's rule... IMHO!

[TP from Cntl PA]

I prefer the 3/4 and 1 tons because I use them...........We constantly over load our C-10 and although it takes it with honor I like having beefier parts under it

And IMO I think 8 bolt hubs are cool Surely couldn't get TONS of 2B limestone on a half ton It ain't how cushy the ride is, its all in what you gross on the scales

Did I mention I like to over load stuff(Off-road only!)

[Stocker]

I like my K20 simply because I have hauled so much in it over the years.... countless loads of firewood, drywall, roofing, dirt, rocks, sod, etc.... as much as 3 tons at a time (verified). I understand all the reasons for a half-ton, but if you really work your truck, it just ain't stout enough!

[9footfan]

1 tons are more fun and get WORK done. c10s are easier to "pretty up" that's about it. 3/4 & 1 ton trucks have much more heavy duty chassis components. if properly maintained and not "ragged" these trucks can continue working indefinately. stick with the c10s if looking good is your goal.

[70 net440]

A few guys around here have taken their 2 wheel drive 3/4 tons and made nice flat beds for them. They are dropped and look pretty good. I didn't know they were 3/4 tons until I saw the 8 lug wheels. The trucks work pretty slick for hauling quads.

[jcueckert13]

i cuurrently own a 1/2 ton and i have over loaded it way to many times to count (i have actually had the rear bumper 6 inches off the ground and the stock ride height in the rear is about 18-20 inches and i also have heavy duty springs in the back) but when i get to building my k10 suburban i will be beefing up the entire thing to the point it will be classified above 1 ton (i plan on 2 1/2ton rockwells) but i have always liked the rough ride of a truck and have always used trucks as trucks

[griesel72]

I often wondered if the c20's were sold for commercial use in the first place, which probably meant that they were beat up, and tring to get a truck to fix up nowadays, we want a truck that hasn't been used as hard?

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

The C/10 trucks were mainly used for cruising around or light hauling 'cause the ride in
'em was really smooth, but most of the C/20 and C/30 trucks were really beat up from commercial and farm use, so not a lot of 'em are left except ones that were really taken care of.

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

I have a 72 3/4 ton 2wd all coil truck. I wouldnt want a half ton, I look for 3/4 ton and higher. I had a 76 3/4 ton 4WD, wish I still had it. My 72 rides very nice and smooth, not bouncy at all. I prefer the heavy duty parts since the reason I got it and traded my Ranger for it was to haul heavy stuff and for towing. Even if I got a half ton 4WD, Id be scrounging for a SM 465/NP205, Dana 60 front axle, 14 bolt axle, posi ,etc.. I like the fact that I can beat the crap out my truck and not worry about parts falling off, even though the three speed may noit be the strongest, I am trying to find a cheap SM465 to fix that though.

[Castiron9]

Why not just have one of each...Personally I just love my 3/4 ton Longhorn and my new 1 ton dually...I like to use my trucks to do work.If you want a 1/2 ton to make nice and pretty,more power to you.I want to use my trucks to work...........

[franko72]

My 72 C20 rides great with rear leafs. I think that more 3/4 and 1 ton trucks had Big Blocks than C10 trucks. That makes the big brother truck more appealing to me.They definately have more towing capacity and seem to hold up longer due to 1/2 tons getting beat up by being over loaded.Mine has disc brakes in front and stops just fine. I agree with some of the post that 1/2 tons were cruisers and 3/4 tons were workers.

[1972C10]

I have owned a 72C20 With Air And Power Brakes Armstrong Steering. It was a decent truck but i didnt like the rear coil springs The rearend was another thing Id rather have a 14 bolt due to availbility.

Ive since got an 85 C20 With All kinds of options Heavy duty chassis etc./ Its alot more truck than the 72 The former owner used to haul a 28ft cattle trailer with it all the time and large tractors on occasion Try that with a half ton.

[PICKMUP]

I've got a 3/4T, but still like to cruise in it as well as work it! BB, T400, PS, PB, Posi...pulls hard & stops great. Drives like a car---sounds like a hot rod.
...and a cowl hood, on a 3/4T