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3/4 ton - 1 ton

K5 Jess

K5 Jess

1/2 ton status
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Posts
1,709
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Location
Coachella Valley
can someone tell me how I would go about turning a 2001 3/4 ton into a one ton? Is it as simple as an axle swap or just hubs??? Im selling or trading my 69 Camaro and someone offerred me this gem.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2572831866.html
been thinking about turning it into a flat bed truck I can set up for a Pipeline Welding Rig. Anything I should look out for? Besides the salvage title :whistle:
 
K85 Octane said:
I'd just get some heavier rear springs and call it a day, or airbags.
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I agree, since it's got the 8.1 it'll have the bigger rear axle so the difference is probably negligible. There's probably less different between the 3/4 and 1 ton than you might think.

Edit: post a pic of the Camaro :D
 
One question comes to mind.....
Are the 3/4 ton and 1 ton frames the same?
Get where I'm going here?
If the 1 ton frame is heavier duty, then you really would have a 3/4 ton with 1 ton running gear. So, my thinking is if that is the case you would just have stiffer springs and stronger axles, and not the towing or payload capacity of a 1 ton. Would it hurt....probably not, but is it really worth the troubles.
 
I had to double check to see what site I was on.

I have 1 tons in my 78 Blazer. Its more about the strength of the axles and less about carrying capacity.

To go 1 ton you'll need to change out the front diff to a d60. I am not familiar with the front suspension in that truck. Someone will post on what you need to get a d60 in there.
 
Kind of sketchy that the inside of the fenders and hood are white, and the inside of the doors and all the jambs are black.

But then again it could have been a cheap paint job. Dunno.
 
The truck is pretty much a 1 ton already. There might be one less spring or different tension torsion bars. Do what you want and don't worry about it.
 
crawlink5 said:
I had to double check to see what site I was on.

I have 1 tons in my 78 Blazer. Its more about the strength of the axles and less about carrying capacity.

To go 1 ton you'll need to change out the front diff to a d60. I am not familiar with the front suspension in that truck. Someone will post on what you need to get a d60 in there.
Click to expand...
:confused:
CherryK5 said:
Kind of sketchy that the inside of the fenders and hood are white, and the inside of the doors and all the jambs are black.

But then again it could have been a cheap paint job. Dunno.
Click to expand...
:confused:

:haha:

if you are just looking to set it up for work duties, stiffen the rear end up and be done. It has the engine and trans. You might look into a rear swaybar if the 1tons ever came with one. Not sure about the difference between the 3/4HD and the 1ton frames. I know my dad's '06 3500 frame is massive, but without a comparison truck, I have no idea. It's not like you're going to switch frames anyway.:rolleyes:
 
ya, Im not sure but I might be leaning away from this truck. Ive got two or three guys who want to see it this weekend. They all are bringing cash. Money Talks. Heres the add http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/2572272604.html
The Idea is if I swap for this truck I still need all the tools. If I selll the car I can buy the tools and look for a better truck later. :doah: still not sure
 
That truck looks like a POS to me. I'm guessing theres a reason why there isnt a good pic of the whole truck in the ad.
 
Eh, lots of interwebsnet morons on CL. Seen more than one ad where the seller was sooooo excited about some of the details they either didn't put up pictures of the whole item or just had ****ty pictures.

Nothing in those pictures said POS to me. Just a used 10 year old truck with some history.
 
he sent me more pictures via email. But not all the pics I asked for. At this point he would be the last option. If someone shows up with the cash Im gunna take the cash. I think at this point Id rather have a bunch of tools than a work truck with no tools. :dunno:
 
crawlink5 said:
To go 1 ton you'll need to change out the front diff to a d60. I am not familiar with the front suspension in that truck. Someone will post on what you need to get a d60 in there.
Click to expand...

Since the introduction of the IFS equipped trucks in the late-80's there is really no difference in the front axle or suspension between 8-lug 2500 trucks and 3500's. The only thing I can think of are heavier torsion bars on some of the 3500's depending on what options the 2500 came with (would say a Duramax equipped 2500 with snowplow package likely had as heavy, or heavier, torsion bars than a 6.0L gas equipped 3500).

Likely the only differences in the rear suspension/axle is slightly heavier springs, and maybe a swaybar if that was a factory option.

There are no obvious differences in the frames I am aware of in the era truck mentioned by the OP.

To be honest, since the introduction of the 2500HD and 3500HD trucks in the early-2000's there just are not many differences between "3/4 ton" and "1 ton". The majority of the time the biggest difference is that most 1-tons tend to be duallys.
 
Being 2001, it could be the 2500 LD, or the 2500HD. The HD had a heavier frame, where as the 2500 LD was modeled more after that 88-98 2500 frames. Not as tall, whether or not that matters.

The 3500 have a heavier frame on the C&C models, I am unsure about the standard 3500 models. 88-98 2500 and 3500 are the same like another person posted, except torsion bar options and rear's having overloads on top of the springs, to the the frame.
 
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