1/2 Ton vs. 3/4 Ton

[Car'n'Guitars]

Is there any significant weight difference between a standard cab longbed 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton?

[Dalaigh]

I wouldn't think there is much of a difference. The trucks have the same frames, cabs, beds, and for the most part the same engines are available. The difference in the weight comes from the axles, brakes and larger leafs packs.

[Goldfinger]

axles leafs and brakes. although the heavy duty packages can make a pretty stout 1/2ton like mine.

[Car'n'Guitars]

So trading a 1/2 ton for a 3/4 ton for scrap won't have much of a difference? Because there is a guy not too far from me who is going to scrap this truck and I would rather see mine go to a scrapyard than his. His left mine right.

[Goldfinger]

The one on the top is in pretty fair shape

[Car'n'Guitars]

Yeah I'm also thinking about trading the bodies on the two trucks. What does everyone think I should do?

[85sierraclassic]

go with the 3/4 ton if you can get the whole thing less work than swiching the bodies lol

[Car'n'Guitars]

Yeah thats what I will probably do.

[nekkidhillbilly]

or just buy it for what it scraps and keep both it may bring 500 bucks if your lucky

[Car'n'Guitars]

I would buy it but I don't have the money for it and my trucks body is shot.

[trevrolet65]

3/4's have a little thicker frames, stronger. Most II generation 1/2 ton squares I've had and seen, the frames crack at the steering box. Weld and plate and the Idler side breaks. Older trucks and 3/4's have better frames in my experiances.

[Car'n'Guitars]

So scrap wise are these trucks about even?

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by Car'n'Guitars

I would buy it but I don't have the money for it and my trucks body is shot.

could you buy one get all the parts you need and scrap the rest to recover some money just a idea.

[donut]

IMO yes, though by pic, your buddies truck looks like it would take less work to fix up.

Get the plow blade and get to work, help finance the build.

[Car'n'Guitars]

Yeah I'm going to talk to the guy again later today and ask him some questions.

[BigBlocksRule]

There will be some difference, 3/4 ton frame is thicker and will probably have heavier suspension components. I wouldn't think it would be more than $25 - $50 or so.

[Dalaigh]

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

There will be some difference, 3/4 ton frame is thicker and will probably have heavier suspension components. I wouldn't think it would be more than $25 - $50 or so.

The frames are identical on 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons, the frame changes when you go to 1 tons. So other then axles, brakes, and springs, which is about 3-500lbs difference, the 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons are about the same, and you're right about $25-50 difference.

[BigBlocksRule]

So, when did Chevy start making 3/4 ton frames thicker? I have a half ton '95 and a 3/4 ton '97, the '95 frame looks like sheet metal, the 3/4 ton is over 1/4" thick.

At any rate, OP, snag it!!!

[Dalaigh]

In 88 they started to make changes to the 3/4 ton. Does your 97 3/4 ton have 8 lug wheels? Starting in 88 GM started making two different 3/4 tons light duties and heavy duties (now they didn't call them that, but for what it's worth thats what they were) Light duty 3/4 tons came with 6 lug wheels 1/2 ton frames, semi float axle, and upgraded brakes over 1/2 tons. Heavy duty 3/4 tons had thicker frames, semi float or full float option, and bigger brakes over the light duty. You could also get a heavy half ton truck which was a 1/2 ton with extra springs and a semi float and six lug wheels, it was the F44 option. And of coarse you could still get the 88-91 square bodies, which were the same as the 73-87 trucks, but mostly they only came in 1 tons and SUV's, there was the odd 3/4 ton I think.

[nekkidhillbilly]

yeah and now a days if you get a rclb eclb or cclb 3/4 ton hd or 1 ton the only difference are the rims and tires and a helper spring on the rear.

[hopelessredneck]

Originally Posted by Car'n'Guitars

I would buy it but I don't have the money for it and my trucks body is shot.

see if he will trade you so he gets the scrap money from yours for payment for his and his look like a 4x4 so even better

[Car'n'Guitars]

Originally Posted by hopelessredneck

see if he will trade you so he gets the scrap money from yours for payment for his and his look like a 4x4 so even better

That was my plan, they are the exact same truck except his is 3/4 ton and mine is 1/2 ton. Would like to get both but money won't allow that.

[Car'n'Guitars]

Well talked to the guy today, he sold the truck about a half hour I got off the phone with him yesterday.

[1BadAction]

I don't know about the earlier trucks, but the underpinnings of my 91 burb are most definitely heavier than a half ton. The frame is visibly thicker and front crossmember/suspension is the same stuff as what I've seen in medium duty trucks (like bread trucks) all the way back to the 70s.

[USSkoval]

Originally Posted by Dalaigh

The frames are identical on 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons, the frame changes when you go to 1 tons. So other then axles, brakes, and springs, which is about 3-500lbs difference, the 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons are about the same, and you're right about $25-50 difference.

No, they are not identical. The 3/4 ton frame is made with thicker steel, therefore it is stronger. You are right about the 1-ton frames, but those rails are taller and thicker.

The thicknesses varied a little bit over the years, and it also varied between body styles and 2wd-4x4.