The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What is weight Capacity of Front Axle - 46 1/2 Chevrolet Truck

Hello Fello Stovebolters. Hope The New Year Has Started Off Well For You! Im in a bind with the Safety Inspectors here in Finland. Can You Assist?

I need to know what the Weight Capacity or The Amount Of Weight the Front Axle Can Carry or Handle on my 46 1/2 Ton Chevrolet Truck.??? I never thought the Safety Inspectors would even ask such!If I decide to change the front end and suspension it must be able to handle equivalent to or more in weight in order for it to pass. HMM!
Do you suggest a front end change? If so what kind? Or would Disc Brakes be better onto the original spindals? Also what brand or what kind?
I need your expertise?

All the Best
Classic Finn

The original 1/2 ton front axle is rated for 2200 lbs.
Changing the front suspension is your choice depending on how you want the truck to look. But with your tough inspectors, it might be easiest to keep the stock axle.

I would get it all inspected and then make my changes. You are opening a can of worms other wise. Later on they won't be able to prove the front end wasn't there when you got the truck.

Even still I would just keep the stock front axle. It rides like a truck.

Heikki!

Tony must be right! If you look in that book of specifications I sent you, you will see the curb weight of the 1/2 ton is 3095lbs. If you carry 1/2 ton, or 1000lbs in the back, as it's rated, you can tell the inspectors that the front must be good for at least that 2200 lbs as Tony says.

As long as you can show those inspectors something, and give them a good argument, I'm sure they're no different than anywhere else. They'll be satisfied because they 'saw' it.

Good luck. George

As a rule in my area when it starts bending up you are near the load limit. If it breaks you have exceeded the load limit by a pound.