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

ericjon262 · 07-06-2014, 07:40 PM

I recently picked up a 70 GMC 3/4 parts truck for my 1/2 ton, I plan to swap all the 3/4 ton suspension over to my 1/2 ton, anyone done this? and build threads or suggestions. the body on the parts truck is total garbage, or at least to the extent that I know I won't be able to fix it with the time I would have available.

Thanks-

Eric

fencepost · 07-06-2014, 07:47 PM

theres a real good 3/4 to 1/2 thread on here might be able reverse engineer it. A body swap would be that big of a deal.

**68350** · 07-06-2014, 07:56 PM

You should keep the 3/4 frame and running gear and do a body swap. 3/4 frames are beefier than 1/2 frames. Require different cab mounts(the rubber ones).

ericjon262 · 07-06-2014, 08:54 PM

I've been considering the body swap more and more, the parts truck has power brakes, which I noticed also have different lines from the manual brakes, another problem I'm facing is the bed on the parts truck is an 8.5' bed (in bad shape) versus my trucks 8' bed. do you know of any good threads that outline how to pull the existing body and swap the new one on? I did a search and it seemed like most threads were long build threads.

sboris · 07-06-2014, 09:00 PM

Sounds like you may have acquired a longhorn. Cool.

ericjon262 · 07-06-2014, 10:00 PM

does being a longhorn make it desirable?

Shakerattlenroll · 07-07-2014, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericjon262

does being a longhorn make it desirable?

There is a lot less of them ;-)

ericjon262 · 07-07-2014, 04:20 PM

there may be less of them, but that doesn't necessarily equate to desirability...

I think I'm going to swap the 3/4 ton parts to my truck, as I don't have as much time to work on it, and I can do it in phases without keeping the truck off of the road for extended periods of time.

ericjon262 · 07-07-2014, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68350

You should keep the 3/4 frame and running gear and do a body swap. 3/4 frames are beefier than 1/2 frames. Require different cab mounts(the rubber ones).

I'm starting to think more and more this would be a better idea. I looked under my truck to confirm the frame differences, and you're right, the 3/4 ton is beefier. it would also prevent numerous headaches that I know would be caused by the brake lines (they have a habit of tormenting me) I see you mention the cab mounts are different, are the cabs themselves the same? anyone have a recommended procedure for the swap? I need to do it fairly quickly as the truck is also my DD. at the moment, I don't plan on doing any restoration work unless absolutely necessary.

Thanks-

Eric

71swb4x4 · 07-07-2014, 09:10 PM

Cabs and all other sheet metal is the same. Get joesjunk over here, he has done several cab swaps.

ericjon262 · 07-07-2014, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

Cabs and all other sheet metal is the same. Get joesjunk over here, he has done several cab swaps.

I sent him a PM, hopefully he'll chime in.

Jake1971 · 07-07-2014, 09:44 PM

Looks like a possible truck to pick parts from coming up if you decide to go that way after your 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton swap. Let us know

ericjon262 · 07-07-2014, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake1971

Looks like a possible truck to pick parts from coming up if you decide to go that way after your 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton swap. Let us know

we'll see, I'd like to sell the 1/2 ton when the swap is done because it does run and drive ok.

**Joesjunk** · 07-08-2014, 02:13 PM

I replied to your PM. I must ask though, what are you looking to gain with this? Are you needing a 3/4 ton truck? And you will still have drum brakes if you are wanting to use the 70 3/4 ton stuff. If you are just looking to add power brakes, its super easy to add the power brake booster to your truck. Let me know if I can help.

ericjon262 · 07-08-2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joesjunk

I replied to your PM. I must ask though, what are you looking to gain with this? Are you needing a 3/4 ton truck? And you will still have drum brakes if you are wanting to use the 70 3/4 ton stuff. If you are just looking to add power brakes, its super easy to add the power brake booster to your truck. Let me know if I can help.

This is a very valid question to ask, I bought the truck(1/2 ton) to use as a truck(towing, hauling, ect), and really, I wanted a 3/4 or 1 ton over a 1/2 ton, but the truck was a really good deal. I've recently used my truck(1/2 ton) to tow a U haul trailer with a small car while changing duty stations, and very quickly realized the 1/2 ton was about at it's limits. When I saw the 3/4 ton on base, I jumped at the opportunity.

While power brakes are a nice little upgrade, they are hardly the driving force for why I want to do the swap. I had initially planned to swap 3/4 ton 4x4 gear into my truck anyways, so this route just seemed a bit easier, and a step closer to the finished product that I desire.

heres how I plan to swap the cabs ATM.

disconnect battery
remove front sheet metal (hood fenders grill ect
disconnect and remove a/c and a/c box
disconnect steering column and shift linkage
disconnect and unbolt brake booster
drain the gas tank, remove lines.
remove seat.
disconnect wiring harness.
unbolt the cab.
lift off cab.
start over in reverse.

Am I missing anything?

Thanks-

Eric

ericjon262 · 07-13-2014, 03:16 PM

I'll be starting work soon, I found this thread and it's been very helpful

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=194094

doesn't say anything about the cab itself, but has lots of info on the front sheetmetal.

ericjon262 · 07-26-2014, 05:10 PM

Started swapping the cabs, here are the progress pics from the past 2 days.

any other progress is being documented in my build thread, linked below.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=594908

71veronica · 07-29-2014, 10:54 AM

You'll love the 3/4 ton. They are awesome to tow with. I towed a 79 f 1 fix me with mine didn't even notice it was behind me. 502 big block help

ericjon262 · 07-29-2014, 07:12 PM

fuel line decided to spray fuel like a firehose... other one barely dripped...

lifted the 1/2 ton cab off...

rolled the 1/2 ton frame out and the 3/4 ton frame in...

Set the Cab down...

and this was how I left it...

ericjon262 · 07-31-2014, 09:50 PM

Out with the old rotten core support...

in with the "new" core support.

front sheet metal installed

drove it home...

07-06-2014, 07:40 PM	#1
ericjon262 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Displaced Floridian/Bremerton, Wa Posts: 281	70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... I recently picked up a 70 GMC 3/4 parts truck for my 1/2 ton, I plan to swap all the 3/4 ton suspension over to my 1/2 ton, anyone done this? and build threads or suggestions. the body on the parts truck is total garbage, or at least to the extent that I know I won't be able to fix it with the time I would have available. Thanks- Eric __________________ '06 2500 HD 4x4. manual transfer case, crank windows. '88 V10 Suburban 4x4,"The Pig Rig" L05, 700r4, NP208, 4x4 beater camper fun truck project. My trucks don't leak oil, they mark their territory.

07-06-2014, 07:47 PM	#2
fencepost Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hamilton, AL Posts: 189	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... theres a real good 3/4 to 1/2 thread on here might be able reverse engineer it. A body swap would be that big of a deal.

07-06-2014, 07:56 PM	#3
68350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 2,999	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... You should keep the 3/4 frame and running gear and do a body swap. 3/4 frames are beefier than 1/2 frames. Require different cab mounts(the rubber ones). __________________ 68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi

07-06-2014, 08:54 PM	#4
ericjon262 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Displaced Floridian/Bremerton, Wa Posts: 281	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... I've been considering the body swap more and more, the parts truck has power brakes, which I noticed also have different lines from the manual brakes, another problem I'm facing is the bed on the parts truck is an 8.5' bed (in bad shape) versus my trucks 8' bed. do you know of any good threads that outline how to pull the existing body and swap the new one on? I did a search and it seemed like most threads were long build threads. __________________ '06 2500 HD 4x4. manual transfer case, crank windows. '88 V10 Suburban 4x4,"The Pig Rig" L05, 700r4, NP208, 4x4 beater camper fun truck project. My trucks don't leak oil, they mark their territory.

07-06-2014, 09:00 PM	#5
sboris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Osceola, Ia Posts: 2,016	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... Sounds like you may have acquired a longhorn. Cool. __________________ Shawn 68 chevy K/20 05 chevy 3/4 4x4 71 short step-sold 71 chevy Beauville van My build. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=633039

07-06-2014, 10:00 PM	#6
ericjon262 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Displaced Floridian/Bremerton, Wa Posts: 281	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... does being a longhorn make it desirable? __________________ '06 2500 HD 4x4. manual transfer case, crank windows. '88 V10 Suburban 4x4,"The Pig Rig" L05, 700r4, NP208, 4x4 beater camper fun truck project. My trucks don't leak oil, they mark their territory.

07-07-2014, 04:20 PM	#8
ericjon262 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Displaced Floridian/Bremerton, Wa Posts: 281	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... there may be less of them, but that doesn't necessarily equate to desirability... I think I'm going to swap the 3/4 ton parts to my truck, as I don't have as much time to work on it, and I can do it in phases without keeping the truck off of the road for extended periods of time. __________________ '06 2500 HD 4x4. manual transfer case, crank windows. '88 V10 Suburban 4x4,"The Pig Rig" L05, 700r4, NP208, 4x4 beater camper fun truck project. My trucks don't leak oil, they mark their territory.

07-07-2014, 09:10 PM	#10
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... Cabs and all other sheet metal is the same. Get joesjunk over here, he has done several cab swaps. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

07-07-2014, 09:44 PM	#12
Jake1971 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Bonnerdale, AR Posts: 697	Re: 70 GMC, .. Looks like a possible truck to pick parts from coming up if you decide to go that way after your 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton swap. Let us know __________________ 1971 Bone Stock C10 project "Jake" 1997 Sierra SLT factory short bed "Silver Bullet"

07-08-2014, 02:13 PM	#14
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,691	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... I replied to your PM. I must ask though, what are you looking to gain with this? Are you needing a 3/4 ton truck? And you will still have drum brakes if you are wanting to use the 70 3/4 ton stuff. If you are just looking to add power brakes, its super easy to add the power brake booster to your truck. Let me know if I can help. __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

07-13-2014, 03:16 PM	#16
ericjon262 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Displaced Floridian/Bremerton, Wa Posts: 281	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... I'll be starting work soon, I found this thread and it's been very helpful http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=194094 doesn't say anything about the cab itself, but has lots of info on the front sheetmetal. __________________ '06 2500 HD 4x4. manual transfer case, crank windows. '88 V10 Suburban 4x4,"The Pig Rig" L05, 700r4, NP208, 4x4 beater camper fun truck project. My trucks don't leak oil, they mark their territory.

07-26-2014, 05:10 PM	#17
ericjon262 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Displaced Floridian/Bremerton, Wa Posts: 281	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... Started swapping the cabs, here are the progress pics from the past 2 days. any other progress is being documented in my build thread, linked below. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=594908 __________________ '06 2500 HD 4x4. manual transfer case, crank windows. '88 V10 Suburban 4x4,"The Pig Rig" L05, 700r4, NP208, 4x4 beater camper fun truck project. My trucks don't leak oil, they mark their territory.

07-29-2014, 10:54 AM	#18
71veronica Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: pleasant grove, UT Posts: 399	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... You'll love the 3/4 ton. They are awesome to tow with. I towed a 79 f 1 fix me with mine didn't even notice it was behind me. 502 big block help

07-29-2014, 07:12 PM	#19
ericjon262 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Displaced Floridian/Bremerton, Wa Posts: 281	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... fuel line decided to spray fuel like a firehose... other one barely dripped... lifted the 1/2 ton cab off... rolled the 1/2 ton frame out and the 3/4 ton frame in... Set the Cab down... and this was how I left it... __________________ '06 2500 HD 4x4. manual transfer case, crank windows. '88 V10 Suburban 4x4,"The Pig Rig" L05, 700r4, NP208, 4x4 beater camper fun truck project. My trucks don't leak oil, they mark their territory.

07-31-2014, 09:50 PM	#20
ericjon262 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Displaced Floridian/Bremerton, Wa Posts: 281	Re: 70 GMC, 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton... Out with the old rotten core support... in with the "new" core support. front sheet metal installed drove it home... __________________ '06 2500 HD 4x4. manual transfer case, crank windows. '88 V10 Suburban 4x4,"The Pig Rig" L05, 700r4, NP208, 4x4 beater camper fun truck project. My trucks don't leak oil, they mark their territory.



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