3/4 ton to 1/2 ton suspension swap. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**desert-rat** · 06-01-2023, 06:20 AM

1969 GMC 3/4 with rear leafs.
I know this has been discussed like a trillion times. And it's mostly about compatibility. I understand that the frames are the same from what I've read mostly. So instead of doing compatibility fitment and the aftermarket being endless for these trucks. Here's what I'm thinking; just remove all the 3/4 ton suspension and steering, add aftermarket 1/2 ton suspension with rear coils with 1/2 ton axle and R&P steering and do a 5 lug setup. Unless somehow I just happen to find a 1/2 ton roller, frame, or someone selling entire 1/2 ton parts.
Can it be possible??
Thanks.

**Ironangel** · 06-01-2023, 08:59 AM

What rear axle does your GMC have? You can install 1/2 ton leafs in the rear and 1/2 ton coils in the front. Converting a 3/4 ton GMC leaf rear to a 1/2 ton coil and trailing arm rear will require a lot of work and money.

**desert-rat** · 06-01-2023, 11:47 AM

Ah, that's right. I didn't think about the coil spring mounts not there. I don't mind keeping the leafs. It seems like different length 1/2 leafs are available. Thanks for that reminder. I think I'll go the route of 1/2 ton springs all around.

**americanmusc1e** · 06-01-2023, 09:08 PM

I have done a body swap from C10 to K20 and back. The frames are not the same! Even the rear cab mounts are different. Not sure if that's a 4x4 thing or 3/4ton to 1/2ton thing.

**dagnabbitt** · 06-01-2023, 09:40 PM

The leafs are your real hindrance, if you had coils it would be a lot easier. It depends upon your goals: are you looking to lower it (there are ways) or are you trying to mimic that nice half-ton ride. For a complete even-the-experts-could-not-tell-conversion you might want to swap everything out with a donor truck.

xs-cash · 06-02-2023, 12:10 AM

I’ve done this to a 71 longhorn 3/4 ton, bought a 86 1/2 ton with 5 bolt , easy to do , swap out the front suspension, 16 bolts , take the 12 bolt rear end cut off the perches and put it in place,and weld on new perches ,change rear shock mounts , pretty much that easy !

06-01-2023, 06:20 AM	#1
desert-rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: 3,018 feet above the SoCal/Mojave Desert region. Posts: 351	3/4 ton to 1/2 ton suspension swap. 1969 GMC 3/4 with rear leafs. I know this has been discussed like a trillion times. And it's mostly about compatibility. I understand that the frames are the same from what I've read mostly. So instead of doing compatibility fitment and the aftermarket being endless for these trucks. Here's what I'm thinking; just remove all the 3/4 ton suspension and steering, add aftermarket 1/2 ton suspension with rear coils with 1/2 ton axle and R&P steering and do a 5 lug setup. Unless somehow I just happen to find a 1/2 ton roller, frame, or someone selling entire 1/2 ton parts. Can it be possible?? Thanks.

06-01-2023, 08:59 AM	#2
Ironangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere" Posts: 2,219	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton suspension swap. What rear axle does your GMC have? You can install 1/2 ton leafs in the rear and 1/2 ton coils in the front. Converting a 3/4 ton GMC leaf rear to a 1/2 ton coil and trailing arm rear will require a lot of work and money. __________________ Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American"

06-01-2023, 11:47 AM	#3
desert-rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: 3,018 feet above the SoCal/Mojave Desert region. Posts: 351	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton suspension swap. Ah, that's right. I didn't think about the coil spring mounts not there. I don't mind keeping the leafs. It seems like different length 1/2 leafs are available. Thanks for that reminder. I think I'll go the route of 1/2 ton springs all around.

06-01-2023, 09:08 PM	#4
americanmusc1e Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,079	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton suspension swap. I have done a body swap from C10 to K20 and back. The frames are not the same! Even the rear cab mounts are different. Not sure if that's a 4x4 thing or 3/4ton to 1/2ton thing. __________________ -- Josh Instagram: @americanmusc1e OLD SKOOL-- 1970 C10. 454/Th400/3.07 posi Build Thread FARM TRUCK----1949 Chevrolet 3800 Power Wagon Hauler Build Thread 1999 4wd OBS Tahoe - daily. DM me if you can't see photos i posted

06-01-2023, 09:40 PM	#5
dagnabbitt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,302	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton suspension swap. The leafs are your real hindrance, if you had coils it would be a lot easier. It depends upon your goals: are you looking to lower it (there are ways) or are you trying to mimic that nice half-ton ride. For a complete even-the-experts-could-not-tell-conversion you might want to swap everything out with a donor truck. __________________ DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10

06-02-2023, 12:10 AM	#6
xs-cash Registered User Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada Posts: 100	Re: 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton suspension swap. I’ve done this to a 71 longhorn 3/4 ton, bought a 86 1/2 ton with 5 bolt , easy to do , swap out the front suspension, 16 bolts , take the 12 bolt rear end cut off the perches and put it in place,and weld on new perches ,change rear shock mounts , pretty much that easy !



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