Upgrade a 1/2 ton 63-66 to a 3/4 or 1 ton?

[inquirer]

Hi, first I'd like to say that I've been an unregistered lurker for several months & greatly appreciate all of the quality info that is posted here..

So, I'm in the market for a long bed 3/4 ton or maybe even a 1 ton pickup for some various occasional heavier-than-1/2-ton personal use & I would love to make a 63-66 Chevy work for me, but I'm finding a lot more reasonably priced + nice 1/2 tons than 3/4 or 1 tons, especially in 4x4's, which I would prefer tho it's not necessarily a must.

Is the difference all in springs & axles, etc. or are the frames more massive also? And one of the threads for the newer trucks mentioned the cab fasteners were also heavier duty than the 1/2 tons? Does anyone know the complete scope of the difference between 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton & 1-tons for the 63-66's???

Thanks!

[gizmoduck81]

I'm not sure if there's difference from Chev vs GMC, but here's some info on differences from GMC dedicated site (link). GMC 1000 = 1/2 ton, 1500 = 3/4 ton, 2500 = 1 ton.

GMC 1000 can be Short bed or long bed, will have 6 lugs on the wheels, 1960-1962 will have torsion
bar front suspension, and coil rear. 1963-1966 will be coil front suspension with leaf in the rear.
Can be 4 wheel drive model also, which would have leaf springs on all four corners.

GMC 1500 will be long bed only, but may not have a pickup box, will have 8 lugs on the wheels,
1960-1962 will have torsion bar front suspension, and coil rear. 1963-1966 will be coil front
suspension with leaf in the rear. Can be 4 wheel drive model also.

GMC 2500 will be cab/chassis, Stake bed, or may have a 9 foot pickup box, will have 8 lugs on the
wheels, may have dual wheels, 1960-1962 will have torsion bar front suspension, and leaf rear.
1963-1966 will be coil front suspension with leaf in the rear. No Four Wheel drive offered.

[66Submarine]

The 20 series frames are heavier (IIRC) and the 30 series are much heavier and taller. Rear leaf springs on the 30 series. Rear cab mounts for both are a shear type instead of the usual type used on the 10 series. This is for Chevrolet.

IME the 3/4 ton trucks are always cheaper by a good bit and are often found with relatively low mileage/in good shape cheaply (even more so for 1 tons, although the pickup versions are very uncommon). I've seen really nice 1 ton flatbed trucks around here for $1,500 on craigslist.

Just keep looking, you'll find a good one. If you want 4 wheel drive I'd just convert one over, the factory ones are again very uncommon. So far a set of mud tires have done very well for me, YMMV.

[66Submarine]

Here are a couple old craigslist pictures of one that was up for quite a while @ $1,500 IIRC: