My New 53

[kwg67]

Hey gang, I'm a 67-72 guy thats recently made a purchase for my wife...seems she is much more into the older stuff. I submitted a post last week asking about the model 1420 and didn't get any answers. Now I find that model numbers on trucks were different in U.S. than in Canada. Anyway, turns out I've got myself a 53 3/4 ton. Just couldn't pass this truck up, went to look three times before I passed the guy the $2500. Frame is painted, body is straight and clean and it even runs. Did I get my money's worth? Anybody else out there with a 3/4 ton, eight bolt? What did you do for wheels? I want to run this truck for at least 2 years just the way she is. Just need a starter rebuild, tailgate and new wood bed. Anybody with nice 8 bolt wheels out there...pics. thanks

[solidaxel]

YOU did real good!!!
What makes it a 3/4 ton, just the rear axle and rear springs or just the axle ?? is the bed a long bed on a 3/4T

[kwg67]

Thanks, I think we done pretty good too. Difference between half and 3/4 ton. Not sure about everything - havn't had a chance to do much research on this baby yet. So far I figure differences include suspension, axles, diff and yeah I believe the box on the 3/4 ton is 6" longer than the half ton. I actually was told by the guy I bought the truck off of that the previous owner actually ordered wood floor for truck before he passed away and damned if it wasn't 6 inches short.

[Heatwave]

Looks great...you did well. Is the truck from Canada? I'm a transplanted Canadian living in North Texas so I know how hard it is to find a good body that hasn't seen too much salt! Good luck with the new truck.

Stupid Question....How can you tell if you have a long bed vs a short bed? Does anyone know the exact measurements?

[Fred T]

Differences between 1/2 & 3/4 ton pickups.

Bed length 78" vs. 90"

Frame is same basic shape, but 3/4 ton is heavier gauge.

Differential - 3/4 ton has a full-floating setup, the axles do not carry any weight, it all goes via the housing. Axles pull out the end, can be removed with wheels on the ground. Retained by bolts on the hub, not by clips inside the center section.

Brakes - Larger shoes on 3/4 ton.

Wheels - 6 lug on 1/2 ton, 8 lug on 3/4.

Gearing- 1/2 tons were either 3.90 or 4.10 iirc, 3/4 tons were 4.56 or 5.10 (approx).

Tranny - 1/2 ton had 3 speed std, 4 speed SM420 as an option. Early years had only 4 speed.
3/4 ton had 4 speed SM420

1/2 ton disadvantages - Differential design has bearings riding on axles, causes wear grooves which weaken the axle and become noisy when worn.

3/4 ton disadvantages - Differential gearing is low. A swap of the center section can be made with a 64-72 truck to obtain 4.10 gears. Aftermarket gears require the carrier from the 64-72 and are expensive. Wheels are of the two piece lock-ring type, not every tire company will work on them. Later model rims have the same bolt/hub pattern, but the setback (distance from back of wheel to hub face) is too deep and the rims/tires interfere with the steering arms.

Some customizers will use a 3/4 ton frame, cut down to 1/2 ton length with an IFS and later model 1/2 ton or car differential, with lighter springs. Gives a strong frame.

[DirtDoctor]

Great looking truck! I think you stole it!!! My project started life as a 3600...I opted to put a 1/2 ton frame underneath her. Couple of differences I noted....3600 has rear prings slung on the outside of the frame. Frame at rear is about a foot narrower than the 3100. Best I can tell there is a 9" difference in the bed length. I think the rear axle housing was 3" shorter than the half ton measured from the brake baking plates. Springs are much shorter with way less arch.

Still have my 3600 frame if you need any parts.

[kwg67]

Thanks guys, appreciate the info ... always get what ya need on this site!!

[Pawnbroker]

I have a 1951 3/4 ton..and I just put these 16" wheels on it..

[kwg67]

Yo Pawnbroker, those wheels look pretty good! What kind of wheels, what size and what do you have on there for rubber. Any problems with fit or rubbing on front or rear. And if you don't mind, what kind of dollars did they set you back? Thanks, KWG

[Pawnbroker]

the wheels are 16x7, so they don't rub..much wider than 7" and then you might have a problem. these are called Allied Type 90 chrome spoke. The tires are just some light truck tires..the total cost was about $750.00 at the Les Schwab tire store here n Portland..and that includes all the chrome covers and chrome valve stems.

[kwg67]

thanks again pawnbroker. I will keep these specs in mind when I go shopping in spring time.

[Brainchild]

I used some wheels similar to pawnbrokers on my 49,and you can get some large rubber in there.

Firestone 265x70x16 on mine,on an 8" wheel no problems.I like the look of the 3/4 tons,they look like trucks.

[8t5Silverado]

Good info...