Lets see your Short bed 3/4 tons!

[blazerboy_4life]

Anybody have a short box 3/4 ton TWO wheel drive? Im interested in pics of both but Im currently building a short box step side 6 lug half ton and I was thinking about picking up the stuff to convert over to a 3/4 ton. I found everything at a local salvage yard. They want $125 for the rear end and $150 for all front end components. Seems like a good deal?

Anyway...Bring On The Pics!

[blazerboy_4life]

Id really love to see a lowered short bed step side 3/4 ton if theres any out there.

[special-K]

Good luck. I know of one. Most people wonder,"why?",when the topic comes up. 4wd is another story. I have a 3/4t Jimmy and wish it was 1t. But,that's because of the use of a 4wd,the bigger the axle the stringer...especially for bigger tires.

[blazerboy_4life]

I say isnt that what building a hot rod is all about?... The Why not... Lol I just like the way the 8 lugs look and the parts are cheap. I currently have drums up front and these are discs. Plus I might be bartering my way into a Vortec 8.1 and i think it might be nice to have the extra strength for the extra power...
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[Stocker]

Go for it! One of my regrets was not buying a beautiful, healthy built '72 SWB 4x4 with FF 8-lug axles back in 1977.

At the time, I didn't know it wasn't OEM....

[BurnoutNova]

Originally Posted by blazerboy_4life

I say isnt that what building a hot rod is all about?... The Why not... Lol I just like the way the 8 lugs look and the parts are cheap. I currently have drums up front and these are discs. Plus I might be bartering my way into a Vortec 8.1 and i think it might be nice to have the extra strength for the extra power...
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A 12 bolt should be plenty strong, or a 9" ford would be best. The biggest problem is tires. I have an 86 SWB K10 that I did a 3/4 ton axle swap and it is tough to find good deals on tires. I got lucky an found some on craigslist, but that doesnt happen whenever I really need something.

[blazerboy_4life]

Really? Nobody has a pic of these??

Maybe I SOULD build one so I will be the first? What is is that makes the ford 9" superior to anything GM anyway?

[terry b]

Ford was smart and did't use C clip's in it's nine inch.

[special-K]

Ford 9"s are power robbers. No one seems to mention that. A Dana 60 is a better rear,if you ask me. You can put c-clip eliminators in 12-bolts,as well as all sorts of goodies.

[bigblockhemi]

i have one its a 72 3/4 ton i cut down to a short bed but i cant post a pic :/

[CG]

I think the reason its not done a lot is because 3/4 tons are already a bit rough riding and when you shorten em up it makes rougher.

There are quite a few long box 3/4 trucks lowered and looking nice on the board. Should look just as nice if they were shorties.

[blazerboy_4life]

Originally Posted by bigblockhemi

i have one its a 72 3/4 ton i cut down to a short bed but i cant post a pic :/

Can you pm or email some pics? I would even take a text at this point. Lol

Im sure it will look as good if not better than a long box. Im just a visual person and need an image to get my mind moving better.

This 3/4 ton set up is going on a half ton frame and springs (eventually bags) so it shouldnt ride any different than a regular half ton I wouldnt think. Would it?
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[Stocker]

Originally Posted by blazerboy_4life

This 3/4 ton set up is going on a half ton frame and springs (eventually bags) so it shouldnt ride any different than a regular half ton I wouldnt think. Would it?

The only apparent ride difference would be caused by the heavier axle/suspension components. Increased unsprung weight will make the shocks work harder and will affect ride quality somewhat -- though maybe not enough to matter, or even enough to be noticeable.

[bigblockhemi]

sure i have lots of pics u can email me bighemizuk@yahoo.com and ill send u some asap

[Boog]

The 3/4 ton springs are stiffer also. Harsher ride with shorter wheelbase and reduced weight. I suppose you could stick with 1/2 ton springs though.

[blazerboy_4life]

Still nobody has any pics??

[obijuan]

pretend you added two more lug studs to each wheel. otherwise its visually the same.

[blazerboy_4life]

For as much as everyone loves pictures on this forum I expected a better response. Oh well. Thanks anyway everyone.

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by blazerboy_4life

Still nobody has any pics??

Not a two wheel drive but here is a short fleet 3/4 ton 4x4 It has a 14 bolt rear dana 44 front T400, 208 transfer and a Gear Vendors OD with 12.50 x 35 tires

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Boog

The 3/4 ton springs are stiffer also. Harsher ride with shorter wheelbase and reduced weight. I suppose you could stick with 1/2 ton springs though.

Well you should definitely adjust the spring rates to be appropriate for the reduced weight if you shorten one.

The 3/4T trucks have a taller and more substantial cab mount, which should actually improve the ride (if all else were equal) over the 1/2T trucks.

I for one am glad mine's a 3/4T, as I work my way back through reassembly, everything in the shop manual reinforces the fact they're just better built. I can't count how many times I've seen "Torque to 120ftlbs (210ftlbs for C2500)" and so on.

Of course they're probably worth less, as the trucks "catch on" with the collector market they're still looking for shortbox man-cars.

[sameyrasmea72]

before and after.

[blazerboy_4life]

I gotta tell ya that truck puts a smile on my face! Ive always loved the orange and white. Your truck is no exception! Was it difficult to shorten?

Originally Posted by sameyrasmea72

before and after.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by special-K

Ford 9"s are power robbers. No one seems to mention that. A Dana 60 is a better rear,if you ask me. You can put c-clip eliminators in 12-bolts,as well as all sorts of goodies.

Yup... also the pinion hits right in the middle of the ring gear, where a 12 bolt and Dana grab the ring gear lower on the ring. It was either Moser or Strange that offered a 9" 3rd member with a 12 bolt pinion style. So you could run the 9" housing and not have c-clips, but have the strength of the where the 12 bolt pionion grabs the ring.

Originally Posted by blazerboy_4life

Still nobody has any pics??

You're asking for a needle in a haystack. Just ain't gonna be many around. I'm sure cats have done it... but very few.

Gary

[sameyrasmea72]

Originally Posted by blazerboy_4life

. Your truck is no exception! Was it difficult to shorten?

A friend of ours bought the original truck from us and shortened it. He cut the frame and cut down the bed too. I not sure how difficult it was but he is pretty handy with that sort of stuff.

[blazerboy_4life]

Needle Im sure but with--

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Thats a lot of trucks and even more of us have more than one. I figured there would be at least a couple people out there who have done it. The 4x4's are cool too so we can keep those coming.

Originally Posted by GASoline71

You're asking for a needle in a haystack. Just ain't gonna be many around. I'm sure cats have done it... but very few.

Gary