The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1/2ton or 3/4ton

OK I just started the restore on My 52 3100 last week and today I get a call from My son in laws freind , He's got a 3/4 ton long bed frame complete with motor all steering stuff everthing but the body and it's free come and get it , so what do You think go with 1/2 or3/4 ton short or long bed .I need Your thoughts on all this . Pete

A 1/2-ton will be cheaper to run and have a higher resale value, all things considered.

Front end will mostly be the same (springs, axle, steering), and the engine would be a straight swap. Spares are good, and you could flog what you won't use right here!

I would stay with the 1/2 ton myself, but if you have the room,go for the 3/4 frame. Spare parts aren't bad either. Running board braces, front cross member, shock mounts, bumper brackets, engine, transmission,steering box etc.

depends, if you are going to use it as a truck- the 3/4 ton will be way better. years ago i thought i would never have a 1/2 ton again after owning 3/4 and 1 tons. long story short i have a 63 1/2 ton and my 64 3/4. if you are just going to use it for "tooling" around the extra beef of the 3/4 won't be worth extra cost of gas and parts.

Go with both trucks! Then you could have the best of each, and there's nothing like having more than one old Bolt!
Samantha

I kinda like the 3/4 ton myself, and parts aren't that much more. If you would like a long bed go with it. Another thing is if you are interested in updating anything engine, trans, rear end,the 3/4 ton has an open driveline vs. the 1/2 ton has n enclosed. you could put a later modle rear end under the 3/4 ton easily and get more of road friendly gear ratio. you can't do that with a 1/2 ton without changing your trans

If you have to choose one, examine the "what am I gonna use it for" factor. If you want it as a working truck, the 3/4 will be more logical, but if you just want it to tool around town and get ice-cream, better with the 1/2

Personally.. I'd go with the 3/4 (Unless the frame is shot :-0)

Strike that ... I'd probably take both..

I wish I had room for both , because I would enjoy building both I'll keep You informed on long or short. Thanks Pete

raptor said it best

I've got both Pete (not on road yet) but I'm liking the 3/4 as a good solid work truck. The tunabolt will be on the road this year hopefully. 1/2 ton (lobsterbolt) looks a little flimsy but still neat.

I'll take the other 3600 if you don't want it!!
One more won't hurt!!

I'd go for the 3600. You can pretty much do the same things to both, but the longbed is so much sweeter. The only bad thing is the driveline. You can't get the traditional upgrades like roller bearings and disc brakes for a 3600 like you would for a 3100. The rearend with the 3600 is another issue. Whatever gearset you have, that's pretty much what you got to stick with. Maybe a 3600 truck with the 3100 front suspension and a later model 6 lug rearend out back, you would have the best of both worlds.