The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ok, a bit of a diversion from the norm here. I am lifting a 2wd 1970 3/4 ton pickup. I have read all the threads I can find on lifting 2wd trucks here and if this were a 1/2 ton, no problem! But it’s not…

The rig:
1970 Chevy 2wd 3/4 ton, wood bed floor. Rear leaf springs, not trailing arms. 350 V8, Quadrajet, TH350, A/C truck with all components intact. I am planning on the look of a prerunner truck. No real plans to actually drive it 100mph over dirt, just going for the look for fun.

The parts:
I have the front frame section with all suspension/steering components from a 73-87 square body 5 lug truck. This should give me the proper upper A-arms and steering components.
From what I’ve read, I need to use the 3/4 ton lower A-arms from the 70 for the larger u-bolts and ball joint. Using 73-87 1/2 ton upper A-arm and 67-72 lower 3/4 ton A-arms will allow the use of ’88-up OBS spindles. However, this has only been documented with 1/2 ton and 6-lug 3/4 ton spindles/brakes. I would like to keep the 3/4 ton rear end and 8 lug bolt pattern. There is a 4.5” lift spindle for 88-up 8 lug trucks but I’m unsure if the installed height is the same as a 1/2 ton spindle and whether or not the ball joints would allow this to work. A 4.5” lift spindle should make is so I don’t have to mess with coil spacers and ball joint spacers.

In the rear, I was hoping to do trailing arms, but the truck ended up having leaf springs. Are 2wd rear leaf springs the same as 4wd leaf springs?

The questions:
Is a 3/4 ton spindle the same height as a 1/2 ton spindle? 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton ball joints… Any hope the 1/2 ton ball joints will fit the 3/4 to spindle?