How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

98Murray · 10-15-2015, 08:15 PM

I have a 1985 GMC 2500 with the 454, 4 speed, and 14 bolt rear. I would like to throw a flatbed on it and dual rear wheels with the dual style fronts. What all will I need? The rear should be simple enough, just DRW hubs and brakes right? I am not so sure about the front though. Do I need full 1 ton front end parts or just spindles hubs and brakes or does the whole front end need to be changed to 1 ton dually style? Also I am wanting to put 1 ton springs on it, the old suspension is pretty worn and needs replaced soon. Will the 1 ton springs simply swap out with the ones I have now? Basically I want to turn this into a true 1 ton DRW truck. It has the engine trans and rear to do it. Heres a quick photo. Thanks!

bmchevy1979 · 10-15-2015, 09:00 PM

The rear ends are different the 14bolt cab chassis rear has different location for the drum backing plates and a full width dually is a dana70 not a 14bolt so you can either swap rears or run spacers to make it dually in the rear I believe that 1 tons also had the springs moved closer together to allow room but the springs might be the same I believe all 1 tons got 56in springs.
someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that is the case. Not sure about front

Rubble · 10-15-2015, 10:33 PM

I might be able to shed some light on this,I swapped from DRW to SRW couple years ago on a flat deck truck. This truck was originally a SRW,the PO swapped to DRW & I swapped back.The rear drums didn't change,I just put in shorter studs,it didn't use dually hubs on front,just regular 8 bolt wheels.There was no clearance issue for inside dual either.I don't know if there is any difference between 3/4 & 1 ton springs on the front,but the Dana 60 or 10 bolt axle have the same spring perch measurements.

SCOTI · 10-15-2015, 11:07 PM

I'm pretty sure your front end is basically the same as a dually except for the brakes. You can swap some DRW front rotors in place but need to make sure you have the right calipers (some have the same caliper as a dually, some don't).

Not sure of what can interchange on the rears. I do have some 1-ton leaf packs off my CC dually if you're in need.

cadillac_al · 10-16-2015, 09:04 AM

The legal GVW wouldn't change would it?

SCOTI · 10-16-2015, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

The legal GVW wouldn't change would it?

It wouldn't. But, there is no difference in the 1-ton vs 3/4 ton frame rail height which is where they would remain unchanged. The supporting gear (front brakes/springs) & rear suspension (rear housing/springs) are the items that will increase capacity.

**brakenit** · 10-16-2015, 12:28 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=382332

I'm pretty sure according to that chart for the regular cabs the frame rail height is the same from C10-C20 but the C20 is thicker, C30 is taller and thicker. It may be different for Crew Cabs though as the C20943 and C30943 in that chart are the same height/thickness.

jjmorrse · 10-22-2015, 07:41 AM

Unless somebody has fun doing the work, in this part of texas it is not unusual to find 1ton duallys running pretty cheap. I may be mistaken, but I think the frame rails might be taller, at least on the crews. By the end, it might be easier to get one and scavenge the best from both, then sell the leftovers.

cadillac_al · 10-22-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

It wouldn't. But, there is no difference in the 1-ton vs 3/4 ton frame rail height which is where they would remain unchanged. The supporting gear (front brakes/springs) & rear suspension (rear housing/springs) are the items that will increase capacity.

You can increase capacity for off road use, but you can still only legally haul the weight listed on the door sticker on US highways. That's why it is usually more practical to buy a dually than to build one.

v30crewcab · 10-22-2015, 10:28 PM

one tons definately have bigger frames, and different spring hangers, and inboarded shocks, lots of little things.

ruffrida2005 · 10-24-2015, 02:52 AM

If your rear is a 8 lug I will trade you rears for my DRW Dana 70. I need the shorter axle to run semi wheels.

10-15-2015, 08:15 PM	#1
98Murray Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ennis, Texas Posts: 174	How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? I have a 1985 GMC 2500 with the 454, 4 speed, and 14 bolt rear. I would like to throw a flatbed on it and dual rear wheels with the dual style fronts. What all will I need? The rear should be simple enough, just DRW hubs and brakes right? I am not so sure about the front though. Do I need full 1 ton front end parts or just spindles hubs and brakes or does the whole front end need to be changed to 1 ton dually style? Also I am wanting to put 1 ton springs on it, the old suspension is pretty worn and needs replaced soon. Will the 1 ton springs simply swap out with the ones I have now? Basically I want to turn this into a true 1 ton DRW truck. It has the engine trans and rear to do it. Heres a quick photo. Thanks! Attached Images

10-15-2015, 09:00 PM	#2
bmchevy1979 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Visalia, Ca Posts: 707	Re: How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? The rear ends are different the 14bolt cab chassis rear has different location for the drum backing plates and a full width dually is a dana70 not a 14bolt so you can either swap rears or run spacers to make it dually in the rear I believe that 1 tons also had the springs moved closer together to allow room but the springs might be the same I believe all 1 tons got 56in springs. someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that is the case. Not sure about front __________________ <Brandon> 1974 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 350sbc/SM465/NP205, dana44 front, corp 14bolt rear with 4.10s and a powertrax locker, custom rear bumper 400sbc in the works. 1981 GMC C1500 stepside 250i6, 3spd, 12bolt with 3.08s 2.5/4drop on 15x10 with 275/50r15 81 GMC C3500 cab-chassis dually with utility bed 350sbc, Sm465, 14bolt with 4.10s nv4500 getting ready to go in 1979 Chevrolet K5 R.I.P. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434096 1976 Chevrolet C10 R.I.P. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434195

10-15-2015, 10:33 PM	#3
Rubble Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Big Valley. Alberta Posts: 674	Re: How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? I might be able to shed some light on this,I swapped from DRW to SRW couple years ago on a flat deck truck. This truck was originally a SRW,the PO swapped to DRW & I swapped back.The rear drums didn't change,I just put in shorter studs,it didn't use dually hubs on front,just regular 8 bolt wheels.There was no clearance issue for inside dual either.I don't know if there is any difference between 3/4 & 1 ton springs on the front,but the Dana 60 or 10 bolt axle have the same spring perch measurements. __________________ 1977 Chev C30 454/465/14ff DRW 1974 Chev C20.350/465/14ff " Rock n Roll ain't noise pollution"

10-15-2015, 11:07 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,071	Re: How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? I'm pretty sure your front end is basically the same as a dually except for the brakes. You can swap some DRW front rotors in place but need to make sure you have the right calipers (some have the same caliper as a dually, some don't). Not sure of what can interchange on the rears. I do have some 1-ton leaf packs off my CC dually if you're in need. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

10-16-2015, 09:04 AM	#5
cadillac_al Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Maine Posts: 2,376	Re: How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? The legal GVW wouldn't change would it? __________________ 76 Chevy K20 76 GMC K15 77 Chevy C10 77 Chevy K10

10-16-2015, 12:28 PM	#7
brakenit Active Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 198	Re: How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=382332 I'm pretty sure according to that chart for the regular cabs the frame rail height is the same from C10-C20 but the C20 is thicker, C30 is taller and thicker. It may be different for Crew Cabs though as the C20943 and C30943 in that chart are the same height/thickness.

10-22-2015, 07:41 AM	#8
jjmorrse Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: east tx Posts: 128	Re: How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? Unless somebody has fun doing the work, in this part of texas it is not unusual to find 1ton duallys running pretty cheap. I may be mistaken, but I think the frame rails might be taller, at least on the crews. By the end, it might be easier to get one and scavenge the best from both, then sell the leftovers. __________________ jjmorrse 86 C30 crewcab big dooley. 454- 400

10-22-2015, 10:28 PM	#10
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 982	Re: How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? one tons definately have bigger frames, and different spring hangers, and inboarded shocks, lots of little things. __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535

10-24-2015, 02:52 AM	#11
ruffrida2005 Member of the longbed union. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Killeen, Tx Posts: 2,158	Re: How To Make A 3/4 ton into a 1 ton DRW?? If your rear is a 8 lug I will trade you rears for my DRW Dana 70. I need the shorter axle to run semi wheels. __________________ Paul 88 GMC Crew Cab dually, 454/T400 64 LWB 400 HP 350/350T Bagged, under construction! Sold most of it! 92 S10 Iron Duke 5 speed, 5/7 drop for now. soon to be bagged. Sold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...59#post4637759



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