For the front axle you can do what I did to my 52 3/4 ton. I removed the 3/4 ton axle and swapped in a 1/2 ton axle. Was the easiest swap I ever did. Would have gone faster if the U-bolts weren't rusted to where I couldn't remove the nuts. I ended up taking a cutoff wheel and cutting the u-botls off and ordering new ones. When the U-bolts came in, within 5 minutes I had the 1/2 ton axle bolted in. I am still using the 3/4 steering arms which required no modifications. I installed a 1/2 ton 5 lug disc brake kit, as well as a cpp power steering kit that mounts a GM steering box on the outside of the frame rail.
The truck isn't going to used for hauling heavy loads but the front would basically be rated as a 1/2 ton.
