Swap a one ton to a 1/2 ton - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ol_skool_chevy · 10-01-2014, 12:16 PM

Anybody know if there is information on converting a 1 ton or 3/4 ton to a 1/2 ton? I have seen a lot of cool looking Crew cabs with short beds put on them. I love my 1966 but no room for the family. I want to build a lowered 1/2 crew cab to pull my jet boat.
I would assume swapping out the front suspension, but will that include the full crossmember or just the control arm assembly?
the rear end is pretty clear swap to a 1/2 ton I'm assuming also
Love this truck i saw here..........

Ziegelsteinfaust · 10-02-2014, 12:15 AM

If you wanna tow why not keep it a 1 ton, but use a 9.5 SF 14 bolt. This way you have the big brakes factory, and keep the tow rating. 1/2 ton trucks were rated to like 7000 pounds in rclb. So you would be down to 5500 maybe with marginal braking.

They have drop spindles for 1 tons, and on a 3/4 ton you have to swap calipers. So you can have the same stance with better brakes.

ol_skool_chevy · 10-02-2014, 12:28 AM

I understand all of what your saying, But it really does not answer my question.

tinydb84 · 10-02-2014, 12:36 AM

To go from 3/4 to 1/2 in the front you need to change lower control arms, spindles, and possibly brakes (depending on your rotor size). Crossmember is the same. You can use the same springs but the are different rates.

ol_skool_chevy · 10-02-2014, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinydb84

To go from 3/4 to 1/2 in the front you need to change lower control arms, spindles, and possibly brakes (depending on your rotor size). Crossmember is the same. You can use the same springs but the are different rates.

Thank you...................that's what I was looking for. I have seen guys with this conversion done but I have never read any builds here that said How they did it..
Thank you ...

Rodzzilla · 10-04-2014, 08:52 AM

Unless you had a specific wheel in mind, and how big your boat is, you could leave it 3/4 or 1 ton and just shorten the frame. There are a lot of nice wheel choices for 8 lug now. If you do want to convert to half ton and stick with leaf spring rear, start w/a 3/4 ton. They have the same spring pad location as 1/2 tons. 1 tons have a narrower mounting point, so you would have to weld new pads onto the the axle, or change the spring hangers on the frame.

10-01-2014, 12:16 PM	#1
ol_skool_chevy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 Posts: 1,300	Swap a one ton to a 1/2 ton Anybody know if there is information on converting a 1 ton or 3/4 ton to a 1/2 ton? I have seen a lot of cool looking Crew cabs with short beds put on them. I love my 1966 but no room for the family. I want to build a lowered 1/2 crew cab to pull my jet boat. I would assume swapping out the front suspension, but will that include the full crossmember or just the control arm assembly? the rear end is pretty clear swap to a 1/2 ton I'm assuming also Love this truck i saw here.......... Attached Images __________________ Measure with a yard stick Mark with Chalk Cut with a torch Built it yourself, don't count on others to to do it for you or with you. It will never get done

10-02-2014, 12:15 AM	#2
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,562	Re: Swap a one ton to a 1/2 ton If you wanna tow why not keep it a 1 ton, but use a 9.5 SF 14 bolt. This way you have the big brakes factory, and keep the tow rating. 1/2 ton trucks were rated to like 7000 pounds in rclb. So you would be down to 5500 maybe with marginal braking. They have drop spindles for 1 tons, and on a 3/4 ton you have to swap calipers. So you can have the same stance with better brakes.

10-02-2014, 12:28 AM	#3
ol_skool_chevy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 Posts: 1,300	Re: Swap a one ton to a 1/2 ton I understand all of what your saying, But it really does not answer my question. __________________ Measure with a yard stick Mark with Chalk Cut with a torch Built it yourself, don't count on others to to do it for you or with you. It will never get done

10-02-2014, 12:36 AM	#4
tinydb84 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose Ca Posts: 2,871	Re: Swap a one ton to a 1/2 ton To go from 3/4 to 1/2 in the front you need to change lower control arms, spindles, and possibly brakes (depending on your rotor size). Crossmember is the same. You can use the same springs but the are different rates. __________________ David Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991 My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985 Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557 Instagram: myfabguy

10-04-2014, 08:52 AM	#6
Rodzzilla Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grinnell, IA Posts: 89	Re: Swap a one ton to a 1/2 ton Unless you had a specific wheel in mind, and how big your boat is, you could leave it 3/4 or 1 ton and just shorten the frame. There are a lot of nice wheel choices for 8 lug now. If you do want to convert to half ton and stick with leaf spring rear, start w/a 3/4 ton. They have the same spring pad location as 1/2 tons. 1 tons have a narrower mounting point, so you would have to weld new pads onto the the axle, or change the spring hangers on the frame.



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