3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

townzenm · 02-12-2007, 11:18 AM

I'm new to this body style and was wondering what are the main differences between the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton? Is the body all the same and just different suspension and possibly frame? I have been trying to find a decent project truck and I talked to a guy that may have one and he said it is a 3/4 ton with a flat bed. If it is in pretty good shape i figured I could just pull off the flat bed and put a fleetside bed on it. I plan to bag the truck so am I barking up the wrong tree with this particular truck?

Fred T · 02-12-2007, 12:03 PM

The frame is a little heavier. Big difference is the suspension. If you are willing to swap out the suspension, get 73-87 1/2 ton parts. The entire front crossmember is almost a bolt-in, which will give you 5 lugs and discs. The rear will have brackets for leaf springs, but you can use leafs or coils, just use the right brackets.

Your biggest problem will be locating a decent bed. Look in the classifieds section for used, and the links section for new. Be ready for some sticker shock, though.

bobthecop · 02-12-2007, 12:38 PM

I am putting a 3/4 ton chassis under my 1/2 ton c10. The body and bed is a direct fit. I want the heavier suspension for towing and hauling, should the occasion arise.

manimal · 02-12-2007, 12:42 PM

I was under the impression that the frames are the same with the exception of a few crossmembers.But the longhorn is completely different.

KAILUAZ · 02-12-2007, 12:46 PM

I have a 3/4 ton, finding rear suspension parts are tricky. About the only options are a few flip kits and re-done leafs. I think if your going to bag it you might do better with a 1/2 ton.

Aarons72s · 02-12-2007, 01:06 PM

It all depends some have coils and some have leafs as stated before. Coil 3/4 tons are easy to make into half tons. The only real difference in the 3/4 ton frames from 1/2 ton frames is that the rear cab bracket on the frame is lower ant there is 2 braces in the same area. The front supension just do what fred said. Oh and welcome to the board from Oklahoma.

townzenm · 02-12-2007, 05:11 PM

Thanks for the help. I hope to take a look at it tomorrow.

Sport/Truck · 02-12-2007, 05:20 PM

FWIW there are no 3/4 ton short beds. Not sure if it’s a big deal or not, just letting you know.

townzenm · 02-12-2007, 05:46 PM

Good to know that. I don't anticipate much trouble in cutting it down to fit a short bed though. As long as i measure 5 times and cut once.

Sport/Truck · 02-12-2007, 07:58 PM

A guy I know here shortened one the hard way. So yes it can be done.
s/t

Huck · 02-13-2007, 10:00 AM

Buying a 3/4 ton with the intent of converting it to a short bed 1/2 ton is ---well a lot of extra work so you need to make sure the body on the 3/4 ton is really nice and worth the effort. Well worn 3/4 ton suspension, axles, etc are not highly desired so selling that stuff might not work to your advantage. I would tend to look for a 1/2 ton with a solid cab first~~~. My .02 Huck

02-12-2007, 11:18 AM	#1
townzenm Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: texas Posts: 3	3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton I'm new to this body style and was wondering what are the main differences between the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton? Is the body all the same and just different suspension and possibly frame? I have been trying to find a decent project truck and I talked to a guy that may have one and he said it is a 3/4 ton with a flat bed. If it is in pretty good shape i figured I could just pull off the flat bed and put a fleetside bed on it. I plan to bag the truck so am I barking up the wrong tree with this particular truck?

02-12-2007, 12:03 PM	#2
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton The frame is a little heavier. Big difference is the suspension. If you are willing to swap out the suspension, get 73-87 1/2 ton parts. The entire front crossmember is almost a bolt-in, which will give you 5 lugs and discs. The rear will have brackets for leaf springs, but you can use leafs or coils, just use the right brackets. Your biggest problem will be locating a decent bed. Look in the classifieds section for used, and the links section for new. Be ready for some sticker shock, though. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

02-12-2007, 12:38 PM	#3
bobthecop Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yukon Oklahoma Posts: 2,647	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton I am putting a 3/4 ton chassis under my 1/2 ton c10. The body and bed is a direct fit. I want the heavier suspension for towing and hauling, should the occasion arise. __________________ Happiness is towing your "new" truck home. 1972 C-10 1982 GMC (parts truck??) 1969 c10 parts truck 1969 C-10 ( my sons) 1992 Silverado 4X4 (now the boys truck)(now mine again) 2002 Tarus (my wife loves that car)

02-12-2007, 12:42 PM	#4
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton I was under the impression that the frames are the same with the exception of a few crossmembers.But the longhorn is completely different.

02-12-2007, 12:46 PM	#5
KAILUAZ King of Rust Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 359	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton I have a 3/4 ton, finding rear suspension parts are tricky. About the only options are a few flip kits and re-done leafs. I think if your going to bag it you might do better with a 1/2 ton. __________________ 1970 GMC 2500, 350, TH400, front disks, thats it! My Pics

02-12-2007, 01:06 PM	#6
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,669	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton It all depends some have coils and some have leafs as stated before. Coil 3/4 tons are easy to make into half tons. The only real difference in the 3/4 ton frames from 1/2 ton frames is that the rear cab bracket on the frame is lower ant there is 2 braces in the same area. The front supension just do what fred said. Oh and welcome to the board from Oklahoma.

02-12-2007, 05:11 PM	#7
townzenm Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: texas Posts: 3	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton Thanks for the help. I hope to take a look at it tomorrow.

02-12-2007, 05:20 PM	#8
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton FWIW there are no 3/4 ton short beds. Not sure if it’s a big deal or not, just letting you know. __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

02-12-2007, 05:46 PM	#9
townzenm Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: texas Posts: 3	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton Good to know that. I don't anticipate much trouble in cutting it down to fit a short bed though. As long as i measure 5 times and cut once.

02-12-2007, 07:58 PM	#10
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton A guy I know here shortened one the hard way. So yes it can be done. s/t __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

02-13-2007, 10:00 AM	#11
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Re: 3/4 ton Vs. 1/2 ton Buying a 3/4 ton with the intent of converting it to a short bed 1/2 ton is ---well a lot of extra work so you need to make sure the body on the 3/4 ton is really nice and worth the effort. Well worn 3/4 ton suspension, axles, etc are not highly desired so selling that stuff might not work to your advantage. I would tend to look for a 1/2 ton with a solid cab first~~~. My .02 Huck



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