1988 Sub 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BranZ · 11-25-2003, 08:59 PM

Some one has given me a 3/4 ton suburban and I would like to use the front end and rearend under my 1/2 ton. The 3/4 ton is trashed but the suspension looks pretty good. My suburban is in good shape but I would like to make it a 3/4 ton. What will I have to swap out to make it happen? Thanks, BranZ

**old Rusty C10** · 11-26-2003, 11:55 PM

springs and axels in the rear and the entire front suspension.. it seems like a ton of work to me tho

Duallie · 12-13-2003, 04:42 PM

4X4 or 2X4?

Ryan Flowers · 01-11-2004, 07:48 PM

BranZ,

I just swaped my 1/2 ton 90 GMC Suburban to a 3/4 Ton to include an 8" lift. I went ahead and put in a new transmission from GM geared for a 3/4 ton truck. Put in 8" springs front and rear which was the hardest part because 1/2 ton's have 56" springs and 3/4 ton's have 52" springs. I had to drop the gas tank and re-locate and bring the rear spring hangers forward 4".

I went ahead and welded in the GM frame brace while I had everything torn apart. I also went ahead with the cross over steering (which I would highly recommend for any truck. The turning radius is better now lifted 8" with 36" tires than it was stock). I also spent the $20 on the GMC2500 emblems for the doors. I posted some pics earlier.

It's not too hard to do the swap but you have to be pacient especially with re-locating the rear spring hangers. If you get it wrong your truck will crab down the road.

Hope this helped,

11-25-2003, 08:59 PM	#1
BranZ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 20	1988 Sub 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton conversion Some one has given me a 3/4 ton suburban and I would like to use the front end and rearend under my 1/2 ton. The 3/4 ton is trashed but the suspension looks pretty good. My suburban is in good shape but I would like to make it a 3/4 ton. What will I have to swap out to make it happen? Thanks, BranZ

11-26-2003, 11:55 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,312	springs and axels in the rear and the entire front suspension.. it seems like a ton of work to me tho __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-13-2003, 04:42 PM	#3
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	4X4 or 2X4? __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

01-11-2004, 07:48 PM	#4
Ryan Flowers No Brakes Club Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Carthage, N.C. Posts: 263	1/2 to 3/4 swap BranZ, I just swaped my 1/2 ton 90 GMC Suburban to a 3/4 Ton to include an 8" lift. I went ahead and put in a new transmission from GM geared for a 3/4 ton truck. Put in 8" springs front and rear which was the hardest part because 1/2 ton's have 56" springs and 3/4 ton's have 52" springs. I had to drop the gas tank and re-locate and bring the rear spring hangers forward 4". I went ahead and welded in the GM frame brace while I had everything torn apart. I also went ahead with the cross over steering (which I would highly recommend for any truck. The turning radius is better now lifted 8" with 36" tires than it was stock). I also spent the $20 on the GMC2500 emblems for the doors. I posted some pics earlier. It's not too hard to do the swap but you have to be pacient especially with re-locating the rear spring hangers. If you get it wrong your truck will crab down the road. Hope this helped, __________________ Ryan Flowers 85 GMC Suburban 4x4 379 90 GMC Suburban 4x4 383 01 Chevy Suburban 2x4 350 Click here to email me Click here to visit my web site



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