differences in 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton

[dhughins]

i just got my 64 home and decoded the vin to be a 3/4 ton what can ya'll tell me about it?

[Fred T]

Heavier frame and suspension. 8 lug wheels. A full floating differential. The stock differential is a 10 bolt HO52, usually 4.10 or 4.56 gears. And there aren't any better gears to upgrade to, so if you want a highway truck you need to either put in an overdrive tranny or a newer differential.

[jonzcustomshop]

I think the rear cabmounts might be a different item (still in the same spot) I think the heavier trucks had vulcanized rubber mounts.
From your pics, it looks to have a 5 or 6 lug wheel. which means that your frame is a 1/2 ton, I wonder if the frame and box are from a 67-72?
you can check out the left front frame rail , right about where the #1 spark plug on a v8 is, for the vin # , then you can see if the frame/ cab is switched out.

My 60 is a 3/4 ton, but I have changed everything on it, it is now lighter than a 1/2 ton, but I went ahed and still registered it as the 3/4 -it's only an extra $5 tax- rather than try to explain to the dmv what it is now...

[dhughins]

the vin on the cab and the number on the frame match. so i'm confused. if it's a 3/4 ton which the vin is #25 why does it have 6 lugs and swb. aren't all 3/4 tons lwb? could the frame have been shortened? does this pic help any?

[jonzcustomshop]

they did not make a 3/4 ton swb, so check in between the rear and tranny for welds where they might have shortened the frame.
It is easy enough to un bolt the suspension and replace it with 1/2 ton stuff, so that is what might have happened.
does the gvw tag by the left kick panel say 2500 lbs?
are you sure that the vin is for a 3/4?

[dhughins]

vin is 4C254A104155 when i decoded it on american classic website it said the 25 is for 3/4 ton, 4 is for 1964, a is for atlanta, 104155 is production number

[Darinc74]

I think this frame has been cut down.

[63sbssbbw]

I thought the-c-54a------ stood for longbox
and a 44 would be a shortbox
4=1964
c=single cab pickup
1or2=1/2 or3/4 t or could it be 1/4 or 1/2t
54=lwb,,,,44 for swb
A=assy plant
101010 prod #
T

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by Darinc74

Attachment 385836

I think this frame has been cut down.

....looking at the front bed mount also.....a little cobbled looking.

[dhughins]

i think ya'll are right. thanks for the help.

[dhughins]

ya'll were right here is where the frame was shortened.should i get it boxed in there or scrap the frame all together, or does it look ok?

[GMC65Guy]

IS there a plate welded in on the inside of the "c" of the frame where the cut is??

[dhughins]

i don't think so i'll have to look again tomorrow

[Fred T]

I don't like the looks of that weld on the outside. Can you post pics of the inside of the frame weld?

If I were doing the splice, I would make a doubler that nests inside the frame rail. It's more work than boxing the rail, but it doesn't play havoc with the load distribution like a box does.

[protrash64]

Just go ahead and Z it!!!!!!!!!!! I think you're going to have a nice collection of road reflectors.

[63sbssbbw]

I agree ,s/b a step type cut not striaght, looks like po tossed ouy the wrong bed mount,hence the wood blocks.....HMMM
T