If converting from a 3/4 to 1/2 ton, what rear end will fit?

[REPO1]

I think I may convert this truck to 1/2 ton suspension. It is a factory C20 Custom Camper. So it has rear leaf springs. Can someone tell me what I should look for at the auto wrecker? I would consider a 10 bolt, 12 bolt, or even a Ford 9". Basically I need the width, drum to drum. I can easily cut off the spring perches and install new ones where required.


Thanks!
Reid

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Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada

1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper
#s matching 402BB Turbo 400 trans.
Air conditioning, power steering, manual brakes.
73,600 Original Miles!!

[Fast68Chevy]

you need to find a 64-72 leaf rear 1/2 ton truck, the 64-70 are 60 bolt axles and 71-72 are 5 bolt,. 70 axle wil take 70-72 shafts, same length in those three years, any other axles wont bolt in, IE coils rear or 73-up

do you have a dana60 rear right now ? is the axle cover irregular shaped and the diff housing one piece with no bolts except only on the rear ?cover, you may have one...


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-71/C-10(thx teeitup and crews!)350 4+4/CH465(thx 71Chev, GMCPaul, and CPNE)longfleet bed(thnx meathead95)!still building it-
-'84 Z28(Z28) 1G1AP87GXEL100000 with H.O. 305/4bbl/190net/hp(L69) 3.73 rear(GT4/YC4) 700R4(MD8-MXO) & other goodies
-79 G20 pass van, 350/th350/10bolt,
paint is overrated
Randy- Lincoln, IL

r68c30@hotmail.com
© RSS Enterprises 2000

[tom hand]

If you don't mind doing that look at the 73-87 they have more selections of gears and much easier to find a posi. But whatch out a lot of later ones had gears as high as 2.56 so unless you want to do 200mph tho those would work pretty good if used with an over drive trans that had the lower first. You would lose alot of bottom end but get 18mpg

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72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail
Olive Branch MS

[Fast68Chevy]

2.56 with a 700r4 would be horrible thing, 2.56 was in the 7.5 8.2 and 8.5" in the cars, 2.73 is highest in trucks, only 73-up
3.07 is highest in ours.

good luck

[This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited March 27, 2002).]

[REPO1]

Are the '73-'87 diffs the same width, drum to drum?


As for the rear end I have, Yes it has a one piece center, with a wierd looking 10 bolt cover.

Why do you ask?

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Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada

1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper
#s matching 402BB Turbo 400 trans.
Air conditioning, power steering, manual brakes.
73,600 Original Miles!!

[Fast68Chevy]

if its not perfectly round cover then its a dana 60 !

73-up are actually roughly and inch shorter in width, any 64-87 axle would be good, but 82 1/2 up are 10 bolt, but just as strong for the most part.

good luck

------------------
-71/C-10(thx teeitup and crews!)350 4+4/CH465(thx 71Chev, GMCPaul, and CPNE)longfleet bed(thnx meathead95)!still building it-
-'84 Z28(Z28) 1G1AP87GXEL100000 with H.O. 305/4bbl/190net/hp(L69) 3.73 rear(GT4/YC4) 700R4(MD8-MXO) & other goodies
-79 G20 pass van, 350/th350/10bolt,
paint is overrated
Randy- Lincoln, IL

r68c30@hotmail.com
© RSS Enterprises 2000

[REPO1]

A Dana 60? Is that supposed to be the good one or what? Either way its getting ripped out. I will try and sell it, but fear that it won't sell.

The slightly narrower rears, you speak of, they are 1 inch narrower for sure? That would mean a custom rim to make it look right?

Hmmmmmm.............

[69 longhorn]

If I remember this right.....the 64-69 rears are 1 1/4" narrower than the 70-72. The 73 up are 1/4" narrower that the 70-72....not a big diff. I have a 75 12 bolt in the longhorn,& dont have any trouble with fit,or weird spacing on the wheels. Good luck....69 longhorn.

[REPO1]

Thanks for the info 69 Longhorn. Does the '73 and up bolt right in, or did you have to relocate the perches?


So if I were to use stock GM ralley wheels it wouldn't look wierd?

Do you have any pics of your setup?

Reid

[69 longhorn]

On my longhorn ,i had to move perches....1 ton spacing(40" C to C ). I cant say for sure on your app.....69 longhorn.

[69 longhorn]

Sorry,I read through to fast,yes i run stock ralleys(15 x 8 rear). to use the 73 up diffs , as allready posted you will need to change the shock mounts. The longhorn has a different spring spacing than the other 2WD leaf trucks. Here is a shot with ralley wheels....

[Fast68Chevy]

REPO1..... I really hope you wouldnt scrap a dana60, especially a 3.54 one, in which that one mopst likely is,..,, i cant believe youre gonna do all that to the truck, from the signature it sounds awesome the way it is. hopefully is just a beater all rusted out or something....