66 GMC Heavy-duty 1 ton(1-1/4 ton?) Crew cab build

[mehtwo]

I'm in the planning stage of building a 1966 GMC heavy-duty 1-ton(maybe a 1-1/4 ton?) crew cab dually. I want to use a 478 GMC v-6, a fuller FSO-6406a 6-speed manual O/D transmission, a dana 70hd or dana 80 rear(with 3.55, 3.73, or 4.11 gears). Because the 478 weighs a lot(925 lbs dry!) I wanted to know if a 73-91 1-ton coil spring suspension and frame are stout enough for this engine and trans. If not, I would like to know if a p-30(?) front suspension and frame would be sufficient using either the coil or leaf spring front end. I've been partial to the 19.5" wheel with the 5/10 lug on 7.25" pattern, but it's not absolutely necessary. I'm looking at using 32-33" diameter tires. I want to use this rig strictly for towing 22,000 or less pounds cruising around 65-75 mph on flat land. I plan to use this rig to replace my 86 chevy crew cab 1-ton dually that has a 454, th400, 4.11 rear. The bottom line is that I want an older GMC equivalent(more or less) of a new f-450 pickup. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Mike

Long live the V-6!!

[62gmc910]

Back in the day I had a 72 GMC 935 HD "one ton" It had 18" split rims with the 5-10 bolt pattern on what appeared to be stock coil suspension the frame was the same as any other truck until the cab mount and then it got to be about 9'' deep, the truck had a tall deck 427 in it (trans plant) and a heavy steel deck with a 12000 # winch right behind the cab. there are a couple of V-12 trucks on the 60-66 forum with close to stock suspension http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=v12 I would suggest you post your idea on the 60-66 forum .But as far as would it work I think it would work well , you might want to box the inside of the frame from the front susp to behind the cab for added insurance