72 3/4 ton

[camtoys1]

hi im looking at a 1972 3/4 ton surbuban 8 lug setup its at two wheel drive what will it take to make it in to a 5 lug setup like a 1/2 ton can it be done

[STOCKISH]

Just bolt the complete front crossmember from a 1/2 ton right in and change the rear buddy! Quick and easy!! Glad you made the move to the west coast safely!

[camtoys1]

thanks for the info made it to the west coast safe

[suicidoors]

this is what im going to do for the front and i just got the 5 lug rear last week.
i also have a 3/4 ton 1972 sub im working on i have all the parts now.....
ECE- C-20 ¾ to ½ Ton Conversion 2½" Drop Spindles.
n2trux has a post under the title above, you can search the board for it.
any picts of the sub?

[1sik7t2]

hey suicide, thats what mine is exactly 72 3/4 ton converted to 1/2 ton "do work son"

Originally Posted by suicidoors

this is what im going to do for the front and i just got the 5 lug rear last week.
i also have a 3/4 ton 1972 sub im working on i have all the parts now.....
ECE- C-20 ¾ to ½ Ton Conversion 2½" Drop Spindles.
n2trux has a post under the title above, you can search the board for it.
any picts of the sub?

[capev86]

i have a 72 C20 burb and i love it just like it is. the 1/2 tons aren't bad, but the 3/4 tons have so many advantages when you actually use them as trucks.

my opinion of 1/2 ton rear coil springs on a burb......total junk!

but i guess as you live in california where all trucks are turned into glorified cars, i can understand (if not agree with) the need to conform! i like to be different and there are enough 1/2 tons and conversions being done......

[paul mora]

I am picking up my 3/4 Suburban Friday and I plan to change it over to 5 lug. We live in the same city so we me keep in touch.

[eyebuzz]

I'm all for anyone doing whatever they want to their truck - just keep 'em rolling. But if anyone's looking for inspiration on keeping a 3/4 ton a 3/4 ton I've always been inspired by this truck from Griots:

[1956cameo]

My dad has a 1/2 burb and I have a 3/4 burb. Both are 72's and both BB trucks. I have driven both and can't tell a difference in ride quality. I would assume the 3/4 ton would haul a little better but havent used it for that yet. However the 1/2 ton has more options on tire wheel combos than 3/4 ton. I would never convert my 3/4 ton over but I don't see anything wrong with those who do. Like eyebuzz said "just keep em rolling". Good luck with the conversion.

[leakyfawcett]

I'm considering switching my 1971 3/4 ton 4x4 over to 1/2 ton (probably from a 1980s truck). Anyone know what the weight savings is to do that switch?

I figure between the actual weight, the rotational weight (those rear drums are probably 70lbs each on the 3/4 ton) and the wheel/tire options, going 1/2 ton is more practical. Also might squeeze a few more miles out of each gallon of gas.

Curious what people think of that logic.

Thanks!

[1sik7t2]

thats got to be the CLEANEST burb i've ever seen....not fond of the stock height but the color and cleaness, omg awesome sauce

Originally Posted by eyebuzz

I'm all for anyone doing whatever they want to their truck - just keep 'em rolling. But if anyone's looking for inspiration on keeping a 3/4 ton a 3/4 ton I've always been inspired by this truck from Griots:

[dougo]

One thing is for sure... 3/4 Tons are getting more and more scarce. I love mine... wanted a close-to-stock look... and ideally was in search of a 3/4 ton loaded with the intent of enjoying and appreciating it for what it is, as well as re-sale value. As we were cruising in it last night... we drove up next to a Porsche and I commented on the car and my daughter said "dad, I like 'Burbie' a lot better".

I tow with mine, but nothing too heavy. I also use it like a "truck" in fact - it's used for all road trips to the lake, or snow and dirt bike riding.

Regardless... they're enjoyable!

[BlackTopMotors]

Originally Posted by 1sik7t2

thats got to be the CLEANEST burb i've ever seen....

I agree. Man that is really nice, love the wheels, running lights and roof rack.

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by 1sik7t2

...omg awesome sauce

THAT is funny!

[Longhorn Man]

I converted mine as described in the first responce, and haven't regretted it one bit. If I need to haul/tow something, I use my one ton for the job.

[vectorit]

I'm a huge 8 lug 4x4 fan, and can't understand why someone would want to convert to a 1/2 ton 4x4...

As for the OP, doing a 8 lug conversion on a 2 wheeler is super easy if you have a doner truck to swap parts with. Doing a conversion with all new custom parts, always seemed pretty spendy to me.

[leakyfawcett]

My thinking in converting from 8-lug 4x4 to 1/2 ton 6-lug 4x4 is this...

* parts are cheaper and easier to find (generally)
* there is some (maybe negligible??) weight savings
* MUCH greater number of options for wheels

I just don't see any real-world benefit to 3/4 ton, as I don't intent to haul anything heavy and I don't intend to do any serious off-roading, etc. I don't expect it rides or handles better, and I don't expect the durability to be a factor for normal street driving and the occasional gravel road. I could be convinced otherwise, and I suppose that's why I asked.

I have an HO72 rearend now, and it's geared like a 3/4 ton, 4.56 gears I think... not really highway drivable. My plan was to swap in a later model 3/4 ton rearend with more drivable gears. If I'm going to go through that trouble though, and still be limited on 8-lug wheel choices, I figured I might as well just swap it all out for 1/2 ton gear.

Many of you know way more about this stuff than I do, so I appreciate all of your input!

(p.s. hopefully I didn't just hijack this thread. I can start a new one if this is straying too far from the original post)

Thanks!

[vectorit]

James, too bad you are so far from SoCal...

A buddy of mine with a 72 K20 burb that someone swapped out the 8 lug gear for 6 lug gear, would be happy to trade for your 8 lug stuff to bring his back to K20 status.

[mr48chev]

Since I drive an 8 lug pickup and tow with it quite a bit I'm a bit of a fan. but if I was doing it I'd be looking for a half ton doner truck and if it's a runner swap the 3/4 ton stuff back to it and sell it after you turn yours into a half ton.

[capev86]

i deleted the post....

califoniazatin:

1) set trend with full knowledge the rest of the country will follow suit regardless of what it is.

2) take a collectible classic car, hack it, slam it, make it look like anything but a classic car, repeat. the antithesis of what having a classic car is all about.

things are even worse over on the mighty max / ram 50 forums i belong to. one hack / slam job after another. but those mini trucks are not valuable like our big GM trucks so i don't voice my opinion.

Vectorit....you are an exception to the rule with that beauty. thankfully there are a few people who enjoy keeping a truck as a truck.

Eyebuzz....i like your truck too, and that one you posted the pic of. my dad's 72 had those same roof lamps which i saved and plan to restore and install on my truck.

and yes my heart gets away from my head at times. what a real truck is becomes deeply ingrained when your dad buys a 72 suburban when you are 3 years old!

[leakyfawcett]

So I gather this much at least... regardless of my needs out of a truck, keeping my '71 4x4 with the 8-lug 3/4 ton setup probably increases the value of it if I ever want to sell it down the road.

That sound accurate?

Thanks!

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by capev86

buying a 3/4 ton saved me the trouble of upgrading to heavy duty coils on the back like my dad did with his 72 burb c10 25 years ago. 1/2 ton rear coil springs suck on a burb. i bought my 72 burb c20 to actually use occasionally as a truck as well as look good at car shows. i bought a pair of the 3/4 ton HD option rear coils from LMC just in case they decide to discontinue them. these old rigs weigh a good deal less than their younger siblings (lack of sound insulation, safety devices, tech toys, etc) and a little extra meat in the chassis keeps things planted.

my opinion is there are plenty of 1/2 tons running around that came that way and fewer and fewer 3/4 ton trucks especially with everyone rushing to join the 5 lug bandwagon. i like my stock wheels/caps for that authentic look and there are plenty of nice aftermarket rims available if i want to bling out my truck at some point. even GM has put out some nice 8 lug rims in recent years, so i can keep it all chevy and still looking like a truck instead a victim of californiazation.

well said, just like 75% OF THE THREADS YOU EVER POST ON.
Funny thing, no one ever asked for opinions on doing it.
But, that usually doesn't stop you from your ranting that is normally not even asked for.
You go with your bad ass self

[vectorit]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

well said, just like 75% OF THE THREADS YOU EVER POST ON.
Funny thing, no one ever asked for opinions on doing it.
But, that usually doesn't stop you from your ranting that is normally not even asked for.
You go with your bad ass self

LHM not sure where ya got Cape's quote, but I do like when he says "victim of californiazation"...