The later model 1 ton (and slightly larger) GM I-beam axles are still to wide to fit as they are.
Don't know about independent fronts, but expect they are also to wide.
Did you check out the axle swap stuff in the tech tip I linked to in an earlier post?
Hard to offer advice not knowing what you're after in the end, but don't think there is an easy way to swap disc brakes on one of these trucks. As far as bolt patterns, 8 lug and smaller wheels seems a step in the wrong direction if you want a 1.5 ton truck?
Grigg
