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K30 vs K20 vs K10 vs K5

Leadfoot

Leadfoot

1/2 ton status
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Were all the frames for these 73 - 87ish all the same. I know the Blazers had a different frame in the rear than the pickups, but the front was identical or pretty close. Were all the rears the same for every year blazer? Were the rears the same for every year truck? I know the K30 used different rear spring hangers and longer springs, but were the frames the same as the K20 and K10 (excluding duallies)?

If you didn't built it yourself, how can you call it yours.......?
 
I believe the k10's and k20's use the same frames, but I think the k30 uses a different frame, a bit narrower and made of thicker rails. The higher gvw trucks (some 3/4 tons and of course 1 tons) are the trucks with the 56'' rear springs, but I don't know if thier frames were modified in any way or if it was just the spring hangers that were moved compared to the 1/2 and light 3/4 tons.
 
The 1-ton frames are narrower in the rear (i.e. the springs are closer together, meaning the spring mounts on a 1-ton axle are closer together than a 3/4 or 1/2 ton rear axle). I would guess the 1-ton frames were thicker, but I'm not sure. I also believe that most, if not all of the mounts, from the cab forward are the same, meaning items such as the front spring mounts, steering box, cab mounts, engine mounts, etc. since all of these parts seem interchangeable between different models.
 
Some 1/2 tons used 56" rear springs too. My truck doesn't have them but my friend's "heavy half" Big 10 has them, and so do some other trucks even if they're not designated as HD 1/2 tons.

Tim
'84 Chevy K10, lifted, loud, fast, and 3/4 ton axles
 
Are the spring perches narrower on the 1 ton because of the frame or is it due to the different spring hangers? I don't know, I'm just asking. Also for those that have true 1 tons. Do you have an indentation on the frame near where the factory metal shock boot would be (only in the rear)? I know on the 1/2 and 3/4 tons the frame is indented where the rear shocks mount.
Also, just to settle curiousity, would someone with a 1 ton take a couple of measurements on the width of the rear frame rail (outside edge to outside edge) near the t-case, over the spring perches/axle, and just forward of the bumper mounting plates. I will measure my 3/4 ton, my buddy's 1/2 ton, and his father's K5 to compare. Thanks.

If you didn't built it yourself, how can you call it yours.......?
 
I can't say for sure, but I believe the 1-ton frame rails at the rear are actually narrower. If the frames were the same width, I don't think it would be possible to pull the springs in close enough to the frame the make the difference that there is...meaning that the springs are mounted on the outside edge of the frame and would hit the frame rails. The spring hangers, just from a quick walk by, look the same as the 3/4 or 1/2 tons.
 
I'm told that the frame widths are the same (1/2, 3/4, 1-ton), and that it is just the spring hangers that move the springs closer together on the 1-ton as compared to 1/2-ton.


David
1982 6.2L K-5
2000 Silverado 2500
 
If you took a 1/2 and 1 ton frame, and stripped them down to bare, they would look almost identical.

The 1 ton frame on the rear part is the same width as the 1/2 and 3/4 tons. The spring hangers are the difference. They are closer inboard causing the 'narrow' rear perches.

The 1 ton frames are in a class of their own. They are thicker, taller, wider, heavier, and of course, stronger.

The list goes on and on about the frame variations. I would need more time to explain all the differences.
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<font color=red>I m so we Todd did.
I m sofa king we Todd did.</font color=red>
 
Thanks for correcting Executioner. He is always right or wrong.

Dave

BEER: It's not just for breakfast anymore.
 
ROTFLMAO!!!
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Yeah, I have Executioner figured out now!
He's not quite that bad a fellow! Sure he seems a bit 'fruity' sometimes, but I think he means more good than harm. At least you cant blame a guy for trying!
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<font color=red>I m so we Todd did.
I m sofa king we Todd did.</font color=red>
 
Wes, the 1-ton frame is the same in the rear except for the hangers...then why couldn'y you bolt on some aftermarket shackles like ORD and use a 3/4 ton 14bolt on a 1-ton frame? I realize that would be work for nothing, but it seems like I have heard the frame is actually different...
-- Mike
 
How much thicker/heavier is the 1 ton frame?

Tim
'84 Chevy K10, lifted, loud, fast, and 3/4 ton axles
 
Do I sense a contradiction here Wes
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You say the 1/2 and 1 tons stripped, looked the same and are the same WIDTH, but in the next paragraph you say the 1 tons are taller, stronger, WIDER, etc. Wassup wit dat?
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Also do the 1 ton frames have the shock boot indentation like the 1/2 and 3/4 tons? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a curious SOB.

If you didn't built it yourself, how can you call it yours.......?
 
I will reply later today, since I'm at home on lunch right now. This will take some time to explain.
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<font color=red>I m so we Todd did.
I m sofa king we Todd did.</font color=red>
 
I'm still curious.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm a royal pain in the a$$. But hey if you don't ask questions, you never learn.

There is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people that ask questions........Gee I wonder what that makes me?
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If you didn't built it yourself, how can you call it yours.......?
 
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