What's the point of an old 3/4 ton truck?

[bennylava]

I wanted to ask this cause I'm debating on buying one. A guy down the street from me is selling his 77 so it raised the question. So I wanted to know what you guys use them for, or if it's just kind of an "I ain't sellin' her" thing.

In this day and age, is it better or more useful to own a 3/4 ton truck that is 15 years old or newer? Would a squarebody truck ever hold a candle to those trucks? Or are they just way too outclassed?

And if not, wouldn't it be better to just have a half ton squarebody, so at least it would ride a little nicer?

Any insights here would be greatly appreciated!

[cadillac_al]

If you plan on towing a big trailer, the 3/4 ton just has a higher GVW rating. If you don't tow heavy stuff the 1/2 tons do ride slightly better. I have one of each so all bases are covered.

[outlaw5067]

It all depends on what you want to use it for. My BB 79 C20 got up to speed a lot better than my 03 6.0L does, but having overdrive makes running at highway speeds a lot nicer. Both had the same GVWR. If you're only towing on rare occasion, and lighter weight, get a 1/2 ton. Better fuel mileage and pep.

[Dead Parrot]

If it has a long bed, you can fit 4x8 stuff and still close the tailgate. With the newer crew cab short beds, lots of stuff hangs out the back.

As far as capability, if you stay on top of maintenance, the old truck can do as good a job as the newer ones.

For 1/2 vs 3/4, your choice. Fair number of 1/2 are built with a 6200 max weight and will ride close to a 3/4.

Newer seats can improve ride a lot. The standard quality bench seats leave a lot to be desired on ride comfort.

A lot depends on price.

[GSP7]

Originally Posted by bennylava

I wanted to ask this cause I'm debating on buying one. A guy down the street from me is selling his 77 so it raised the question. So I wanted to know what you guys use them for, or if it's just kind of an "I ain't sellin' her" thing.

In this day and age, is it better or more useful to own a 3/4 ton truck that is 15 years old or newer? Would a squarebody truck ever hold a candle to those trucks? Or are they just way too outclassed?

And if not, wouldn't it be better to just have a half ton squarebody, so at least it would ride a little nicer?

Any insights here would be greatly appreciated!

What? No comprende senior

.

[Honest Bob]

The rear axle should be a 14 bolt full float which is pretty stout vs the 1/2 ton rear axles.

I think the front and rear brakes might be the next size up (JB7?) from most of the 1/2 tons.

The frame is the same as a 1/2 ton. If its automatic they usually had the same th350 trans as the half tons unless it had a diesel then it was th400.

[DPowers]

Love mine and have driven it everywhere. Switched to 3:73 and 700R4. 17 MPG empty on highway.

[THI]

I prefer the 3/4-ton due to heaver axles, larger brakes and even heaver frame (it has the same dimensions as the 1/2-ton but is thicker steel). Not much difference in gas mileage between the two so why go light duty!?

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

Newer seats can improve ride a lot. The standard quality bench seats leave a lot to be desired on ride comfort.

A lot depends on price.

Are 3/4 ton trucks typically more expensive? Or are they so old now that it doesn't really matter?

Also, which seats improve the ride comfort? I noticed that some newer trucks have gone over to harder seating, which I'm not a fan of. I like the 80's and 90's plush seating.

Originally Posted by THI

I prefer the 3/4-ton due to heaver axles, larger brakes and even heaver frame (it has the same dimensions as the 1/2-ton but is thicker steel). Not much difference in gas mileage between the two so why go light duty!?

I always heard they ride a good deal rougher. That would be the only reason I would go with a half ton.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Honest Bob

The rear axle should be a 14 bolt full float which is pretty stout vs the 1/2 ton rear axles.

I think the front and rear brakes might be the next size up (JB7?) from most of the 1/2 tons.

The frame is the same as a 1/2 ton. If its automatic they usually had the same th350 trans as the half tons unless it had a diesel then it was th400.

Front & rear brakes are larger for 3/4-ton trucks. They also def have heavier duty hubs.

I know my R30 has thicker rails & if I recall the 3/4 tons used the heavier rails as well.

TH350 vs TH400 comes down to how it was optioned. There were a bunch of both produced.

[THI]

The ride quality of a 3/4-ton truck has more to do with the length of the rear spring than the spring rate. I have a 1978 C20 Camper Special (8200 GVW) that has the 1-ton springs (3500#) on it and it rides fine (it is a truck), it has a 56" rear spring. I have owned both a 1977 and 1978 K20 (8400 GVW) and they had the 52" 2775# rear springs and rode ruff compared to the C20 Camper Special with the much heavier but longer rear springs.

Keep in mind if your purchase an old square body 3/4-ton it will most likely need new springs anyway. Go with the 56" rear springs and move the rear mount back 4" (holes should already be in the frame) if it came with the 52" springs and get either the standard 3/4-ton 2600# rear springs or the 1-ton 3500# rear springs if you want to have more load capacity.

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by THI

The ride quality of a 3/4-ton truck has more to do with the length of the rear spring than the spring rate. I have a 1978 C20 Camper Special (8200 GVW) that has the 1-ton springs (3500#) on it and it rides fine (it is a truck), it has a 56" rear spring. I have owned both a 1977 and 1978 K20 (8400 GVW) and they had the 52" 2775# rear springs and rode ruff compared to the C20 Camper Special with the much heavier but longer rear springs.

Keep in mind if your purchase an old square body 3/4-ton it will most likely need new springs anyway. Go with the 56" rear springs and move the rear mount back 4" (holes should already be in the frame) if it came with the 52" springs and get either the standard 3/4-ton 2600# rear springs or the 1-ton 3500# rear springs if you want to have more load capacity.

I'm a leaf spring newb... I never thought of longer rear springs. Sounds like you can have your cake and eat it too, hypothetically speaking of course.

Cause what if you managed to find and install say, 60" rear springs? Or 64"? Seems like you could just go longer and longer until you finally ran out of room. But still be at a 3/4 ton towing capacity.

[SCOTI]

Or.... Use 1/2-ton springs for a better unloaded ride & have air bag lift/assist springs to compensate for heavier loads.

I KNOW my dually had the longer HD leafs (and a bunch of them) & was a horrid driving experience when unloaded. It now has a 4-bar suspension w/bags in the rear & rides very nice (loaded or not). A 3/4-ton w/light duty leafs & helper bags would be the way I'd go.

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Or.... Use 1/2-ton springs for a better unloaded ride & have air bag lift/assist springs to compensate for heavier loads.

I KNOW my dually had the longer HD leafs (and a bunch of them) & was a horrid driving experience when unloaded. It now has a 4-bar suspension w/bags in the rear & rides very nice (loaded or not). A 3/4-ton w/light duty leafs & helper bags would be the way I'd go.

Does the thicker frame cause a worse ride quality than a half ton, since it can't flex as much? Or is that pretty much a myth?

[HO455]

For me the biggest reason to get the 3/4 ton is for the trailer pulling aspect. If I need rent a bobcat or backhoe the rental companies require a 3/4 ton or larger truck to tow them.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by bennylava

Does the thicker frame cause a worse ride quality than a half ton, since it can't flex as much? Or is that pretty much a myth?

I'd say myth based on how my dually rides after mods vs as it came stock and it still utilizes the 16" LT/load rated tires doing it. Spring rates & the ability for shocks to do their job make a difference.

[Dead Parrot]

Originally Posted by bennylava

Are 3/4 ton trucks typically more expensive? Or are they so old now that it doesn't really matter?

Also, which seats improve the ride comfort? I noticed that some newer trucks have gone over to harder seating, which I'm not a fan of. I like the 80's and 90's plush seating.

Don't know that 3/4 are much more expensive then 1/2 but most of the squares have gone up in price so 'good deals' are harder to find.

I went with a set of aftermarket bucket seats in the mid 90's. Made a lot of difference in ride quality. Got rid of the bench seat bounce.

[MJN]

For me the point of a 3/4ton is using it as a truck, benefits of one as many mentioned already are bigger brakes, bearings, axles, etc. Sounds like you are concerned more with ride quality which can be more personal preference. I wouldn't pass up driving mine on a more regular basis and, to me, the ride quality of mine is just fine for 51 years old. Granted a partial load of retaining wall blocks and landscaping stone makes it ride a tad softer.

[bennylava]

Originally Posted by MJN

For me the point of a 3/4ton is using it as a truck, benefits of one as many mentioned already are bigger brakes, bearings, axles, etc. Sounds like you are concerned more with ride quality which can be more personal preference. I wouldn't pass up driving mine on a more regular basis and, to me, the ride quality of mine is just fine for 51 years old. Granted a partial load of retaining wall blocks and landscaping stone makes it ride a tad softer.

Yeah that's really why I would be getting it... using it as a truck. But hey, if it can also be nice, what's the harm in that?

I don't like the way my half ton sagged a couple times when getting some heavier stuff from home depot. Not destructively, but enough to make want a 3/4 ton. I knew I was right at the limit. I imagine 3/4 tons are just better at pulling trailers in general.

[MJN]

3/4's just have a higher load capacity, it doesn't mean they can pull a trailer any better. They can handle more weight, whether it be fifth wheel or bumper pull trailer but you'd probably happier with a C10 with a 454 than a C20 with a 250 6 cylinder (assuming trailer load and drivetrain is the same) for strictly pulling. If you're loading the 8ft box with concrete block or have a heavy tongue weight trailer you'll appreciate the 3/4 ton more so you're not dragging your rear bumper on the ground and the bigger brakes help stop better too. Hopefully this makes some sense

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by bennylava

I wanted to ask this cause I'm debating on buying one. A guy down the street from me is selling his 77 so it raised the question. !

A '77 3/4 ton ( if you consider a '77 old) has a full floating rear axle standard, IMO, this is superior to a semi floating 3/4 ton rear axle found in most '81 and newer 3/4 tons. It will carry a heavy load more dependably.

[Shugalou]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

Don't know that 3/4 are much more expensive then 1/2 but most of the squares have gone up in price so 'good deals' are harder to find.

I went with a set of aftermarket bucket seats in the mid 90's. Made a lot of difference in ride quality. Got rid of the bench seat bounce.

That's good info and something I wouldn't have considered as my wife complains that it's too bouncy in the truck and I thought that was solely due to the suspension - I really like the snowden style bench seats - do you think that bench seat bounce would still be an issue with something newer? I'm not really a fan of the buckets but you have me thinking now.

[PowerdbyChevy79]

If your wanting to use it a s a truck then a 3/4 is the way to go... I bought a longbed 1/2 to use as a truck and its a nice, runs smooth when unloaded. but it needs to be heavier.. if i load it down with some plywood it definitely sags. I definitely cannot pull my 20ft car hauler or i wouldn't want to anyways. So if i had to do it again i would get a 3/4.