3/4 ton to 1/2 ton supension?

[westofb]

I have recently aquired a rust free 75 3/4 ton lwb truck with 454/400 and am wanting to convert it to 1/2 ton suspension and lower the truck. What parts are needed to complete the swap? I would assume just changing the rear end housing, and the front spindles would be a minimum to complete the transformation.....but are there differnces in the front a arms, sway bar, ball joints, tierod ends? I plan to use 1/2 ton springs front and rear and to lower the truck I was thinking of using cut coils/ lowering spindles up front (was thinking of about 4.5-5 I inch drop in front), and a rear flip kit out back which should be 6-7" drop as far as I know. Any info ideas would be appreciated.

Maybe I should have posted this in the suspension area....mods feel free to move this if you like.

[old Rusty C10]

3/4 ton springs are used on half tons in some instances. To get the proper half ton rear youd have to swap it out as they are different sizes.. you would need the springs calipers, rotor, spindles etc to do a swap of the front suspension
the only advantage to lowering using half ton suspension etc is that there are more rims to choose from .There have been posts where people have lowered 3/4 ton trucks

[lolife99]

Check with ECE. They sell a "conversion" c20 to c10 drop spindle.
Simple. No need to change balljoints or tie rods.
Just use 1/2 ton rotors and calipers. Done.

[timcrow00]

[westofb]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Check with ECE. They sell a "conversion" c20 to c10 drop spindle.
Simple. No need to change balljoints or tie rods.
Just use 1/2 ton rotors and calipers. Done.

I don't think I am smart enough for there website...I could not find the conversion spindles.

[nekkidhillbilly]

drop the 3/4

[westofb]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

drop the 3/4

I intend to with 1/2 suspension....3/4 ton right now and it rides like a lumber wagon! lol, thanks for the responses.....

[lolife99]

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx
EDIT: I can't bring up the exact item. They are listed under spindles in the drop down box.
(Part # 901-7187C)
$269.00 pair


QUOTE:
Looking to convert your ¾ ton Truck to ½ ton front suspension? We are proud to introduce the only C-20 to C-10 2½" Drop Spindles available on the market. (disc brakes required).
Over the years, we’ve had many customers with C-20 8-lug Trucks that would like to convert over to the better riding C-10 suspension and change their wheels to either a 5-lug or 6-lug bolt pattern. These new Conversion Spindles allow you to upgrade to C-10 front disc brakes on the ’60-’70 model Trucks, and give you the option of 2½" front Drop Spindles for the same price without having to change your tie rods and ball joints.
Several options are available to change the rear suspension and axle as well, and our technical support staff is more than happy to explain the different methods and choices available for each Truck year and model. Give us a call, we’re here to help.

[westofb]

Okay I found them....I was on the wrong site to begin with, was at ecklers, not early classics.... LOL

[KQQL IT]

The ball joint diameter where it presses into the lower A arm is larger. So you cant put a 1/2 balljoint in 3/4 A arm we tried. You can also reem the 1/2 ton spindle to the 3/4 ton ball joint.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

The ball joint diameter where it presses into the lower A arm is larger. So you cant put a 1/2 balljoint in 3/4 A arm we tried. You can also reem the 1/2 ton spindle to the 3/4 ton ball joint.

That's the cool thing about ECE's "conversion" spindles.
No need to change your 3/4 ton ball joints.
The spindle works with the 3/4 ton balljoints and tie rod ends,... and uses a 1/2 ton rotor and caliper.

[westofb]

I have access to a 1/2 ton for parts, was planning on using it to complete the swap. Just looking the lower arms appear to be the same, so thanks KOOL IT, I now know they are not. Okay so I can change the lowers out too, I already have a set of 1/2 t dropped spindles, so am planning to use them for the swap...I now need to know about the tierod ends, will the 3/4's fit the 1/2 t spindle? If not are the threaded ends where they attach to the adjusting sleaves? Everyone has been so helpful, gotta keep going back to the well for more.

Okay somebody else chime in and rain on my parade....j/k, thanks for the help guys!

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by westofb

I have access to a 1/2 ton for parts, was planning on using it to complete the swap. Just looking the lower arms appear to be the same, so thanks KOOL IT, I now know they are not. Okay so I can change the lowers out too, I already have a set of 1/2 t dropped spindles, so am planning to use them for the swap...I now need to know about the tierod ends, will the 3/4's fit the 1/2 t spindle? If not are the threaded ends where they attach to the adjusting sleaves? Everyone has been so helpful, gotta keep going back to the well for more.

Okay somebody else chime in and rain on my parade....j/k, thanks for the help guys!

That would have been good to know in the first post.

Do you have all the 1/2 ton steering linkage?
That's the best way to go since the outer tie rods are different.
I'm not sure about the thread size of the tie rod. Local parts store could help there.
Anyone else want to chime in?

[westofb]

Originally Posted by lolife99

That would have been good to know in the first post.

Do you have all the 1/2 ton steering linkage?
That's the best way to go since the outer tie rods are different.
I'm not sure about the thread size of the tie rod. Local parts store could help there.
Anyone else want to chime in?

The drop spindles are on my 68 project that will not be even close to being finished by next summer. The 75 needs very little done to it to get it into paint, so I figured I might as well put it to good use....besides, I went all last summer without something to take to shows and am going through withdrawls....LOL! I am trying to keep the 75 low budget and use what I can to get it done by spring. Maybe even sell it and use proceeds for my poor old 68 that is scattered over 4 garage bays!

[lolife99]

What year are the spindles for that you have on the '68 now?

That will determine ball joint and tie rod application if you decide to use them on your '75.

[westofb]

Complete front suspension on 68 is from an 85, everything on it is new, just not wanting to use it all. The drop spindles are chassis tech 2.5" drop for 1.25" rotors.

[westofb]

Still not sure which way I will go for the front swap, just trying to figure out what is the most cost effective. Early classics maybe the way I wind up going, just picking e ruined brain here to see what I want to do.

[andrewhass81]

So, can you use the 1/2 ton rear lowering kits on a 3/4 if it is coils?