1972 3/4 Ton Rear Suspension - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Redbone One · 01-05-2010, 11:28 PM

I am traveling to look at a 1972 Stepside pickup for an upcoming project. The owner thinks it is a 1/2 ton but is not sure. He provided me with the vin number which revealed that it is a 3/4Ton. I am looking for a 1/2 ton and want the trailing arm suspension.

My questions are before I drive for 8 hours:
Does the 3/4 ton have the trailing arm suspension or is it leaf springs?
Are the front spindles different between 3/4 and 1/2 ton vehicles?
Are 8 lug wheels the quick and easy way to identify a 3/4Ton?

I have asked for pictures but they seem slow in coming. I do appreciate any information that will help me identify the truck.

sleepertruck72 · 01-06-2010, 01:03 AM

5 or 6 lug=1/2 ton, 8 lug= 3/4 ton , they did make 3/4 ton with trailing arm suspension, but I think more common would be the leaf spring for the 3/4 ton ask him if there is any badges on the fenders that would indicate C/10 or C/20 C/20 would be 3/4 ton C/10 would be 1/2 ton. Being thats it is a stepside, it is most likely (one would hope) a C/10 shortbed, or it may be a 3/4 ton longbed stepside

.....

geremy · 01-06-2010, 01:06 AM

i got a donor 70 1/2 ton short beb fleet side

Redbone One · 01-06-2010, 08:29 AM

Thanks for the input. I will check badging Sleepertruck 72 and also keep you in mind geremy should things work out and I need any parts.

Lugnut64052 · 01-06-2010, 10:05 AM

..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redbone One

My questions are before I drive for 8 hours:
Does the 3/4 ton have the trailing arm suspension or is it leaf springs?
Generally speaking, if it's a Chevy it'll be trailing arm, if it's a GMC it'll be leaf springs, regardless of the tonnage. You could order either make in either suspension though. There are lots and lots of 3/4-ton trailing arm trucks out there. One-tons were all leaf spring.
Are the front spindles different between 3/4 and 1/2 ton vehicles?
Yes
Are 8 lug wheels the quick and easy way to identify a 3/4Ton?
Yes

stueber68 · 01-06-2010, 08:59 PM

Many 3/4 ton have a coil/trailing arm suspension.

Shyguy · 01-06-2010, 10:23 PM

My '67 C-20 was a long bed stepside with trailing arms and coil springs when I bought it. It also had the over-load leaf spring behind the rear axle.

Normally Chevys had coil springs and GMC had leaf springs, any thing different were optional.

Danny

ed2552 · 01-06-2010, 10:32 PM

3/4 tons have way heavier duty trailing arms, too. They're better for hooking up, and withstanding the abuse.

Longhorn Man · 01-07-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Normally Chevys had coil springs and GMC had leaf springs, any thing different were optional.

Not entirely true, but 99% of the people on here think it is.

Most likely it has a coil rear.
The frame is the same as a 1/2 ton.
Very easy to convert

Redbone One · 01-07-2010, 10:27 PM

I thank you all for the information. I am encouraged that this potential purchase might just work out. I know I want to end up with a 72 Chevy Shortbed with Trailing Arm Suspension. Hearing that a 3/4 ton has stronger trailing arms is icing on the cake.

I have inquired of the current owner for badging, and confirmation of trailing arms. If the vehicle meets my requirements and a price can be agreed upon, I will post some before pictures.

Again, thank you for the information.

01-05-2010, 11:28 PM	#1
Redbone One Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 7	1972 3/4 Ton Rear Suspension I am traveling to look at a 1972 Stepside pickup for an upcoming project. The owner thinks it is a 1/2 ton but is not sure. He provided me with the vin number which revealed that it is a 3/4Ton. I am looking for a 1/2 ton and want the trailing arm suspension. My questions are before I drive for 8 hours: Does the 3/4 ton have the trailing arm suspension or is it leaf springs? Are the front spindles different between 3/4 and 1/2 ton vehicles? Are 8 lug wheels the quick and easy way to identify a 3/4Ton? I have asked for pictures but they seem slow in coming. I do appreciate any information that will help me identify the truck.

01-06-2010, 01:03 AM	#2
sleepertruck72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Turlock California 95380 Posts: 2,075	Re: 1972 3/4 Ton Rear Suspension 5 or 6 lug=1/2 ton, 8 lug= 3/4 ton , they did make 3/4 ton with trailing arm suspension, but I think more common would be the leaf spring for the 3/4 ton ask him if there is any badges on the fenders that would indicate C/10 or C/20 C/20 would be 3/4 ton C/10 would be 1/2 ton. Being thats it is a stepside, it is most likely (one would hope) a C/10 shortbed, or it may be a 3/4 ton longbed stepside ..... __________________ 72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71

01-06-2010, 01:06 AM	#3
geremy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: petaluma ca Posts: 15	Re: 1972 3/4 Ton Rear Suspension i got a donor 70 1/2 ton short beb fleet side

01-06-2010, 08:29 AM	#4
Redbone One Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 7	Re: 1972 3/4 Ton Rear Suspension Thanks for the input. I will check badging Sleepertruck 72 and also keep you in mind geremy should things work out and I need any parts.

01-06-2010, 08:59 PM	#6
stueber68 1968 C20 Vortec Beast Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: STILLWATER,OKLAHOMA Posts: 483	Re: 1972 3/4 Ton Rear Suspension Many 3/4 ton have a coil/trailing arm suspension. __________________ Ugly or not it still kicks a**!

01-06-2010, 10:23 PM	#7
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: 1972 3/4 Ton Rear Suspension My '67 C-20 was a long bed stepside with trailing arms and coil springs when I bought it. It also had the over-load leaf spring behind the rear axle. Normally Chevys had coil springs and GMC had leaf springs, any thing different were optional. Danny __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

01-06-2010, 10:32 PM	#8
ed2552 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charles City IA Posts: 1,626	Re: 1972 3/4 Ton Rear Suspension 3/4 tons have way heavier duty trailing arms, too. They're better for hooking up, and withstanding the abuse. __________________ '67 C20, Under the Knife!, LWB, Eaton HO-52, Rear Coil Springs 72' GMC C2500, 350, TH400(?), Dana 60 '67 K10 4-spd., 305, SM465, Dana 44, 12 Bolt, RUST! '65 C60 292, 4 spd, 2 spd Rearend, 15' Grain Box, MINT! 09 Yukon Denali 82k Miles 6.2L/6A

01-07-2010, 10:27 PM	#10
Redbone One Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 7	Re: 1972 3/4 Ton Rear Suspension I thank you all for the information. I am encouraged that this potential purchase might just work out. I know I want to end up with a 72 Chevy Shortbed with Trailing Arm Suspension. Hearing that a 3/4 ton has stronger trailing arms is icing on the cake. I have inquired of the current owner for badging, and confirmation of trailing arms. If the vehicle meets my requirements and a price can be agreed upon, I will post some before pictures. Again, thank you for the information.



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