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| | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 | Been here before on this topic, have gone back and forth on it and guess I am back to the idea again.
My question is, since the springs on the 1 ton are 2in and the 1/2 is 1 3/4in the ubolt holes in the axle are different spacing. Is there any issue with opening up the holes in the 1/2T axle so that the 1T U bolts fit? My other thought was using the 1/2T and just grinding down the springs to narrow them, but then realized the thickness of the U Bolts are different.
Thoughts? OldSub I was reading a lot of your previous suggestions and it pointed me back in this direction. I am picking up another 1/2Ton front axle this weekend. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Is there any issue with opening up the holes in the 1/2T axle so that the 1T U bolts fit?
My other thought was using the 1/2T and just grinding down the springs to narrow them, but then realized the thickness of the U Bolts are different.
Thoughts? Enlarging holes sounds OK. Grinding springs to fit the U-bolts is asking for broken leaves later on.. Grigg | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | I just installed a 3/4 ton front axle on my one ton. They are actually identical axles except for the u-bolt hole spacing.
(3/4 ton has the same width spring as 1/2 ton)
I elongated the holes with a die grinder to fit the one ton
u- bolts. Took about a half hour and worked out great. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | You might also consider using the 1/2-ton springs.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 | Ghostrider how did you make out with connecting the steering up? I cannot remember off the top of my head what the difference was between the 3/4 and 1/2ton Axle other than possibly bigger Brakes? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 | If for some unknown reason, like I am cheap right now, the brake lines compatible anybody know? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 | The 1/2 ton springs are shorter aren't they? | | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 42 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 42 | I have another goofy question.... are the 3/4 axles different than the 1/2 ton? Will the hubs interchange?
The kingpins need to be redone on my 1/2 ton axle. Thinking about rebuild an axle/steering setup on an axle outside of the truck and then swapping it in.
The truck is my daily, so downtime is not practical. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | Ghostrider how did you make out with connecting the steering up? I cannot remember off the top of my head what the difference was between the 3/4 and 1/2ton Axle other than possibly bigger Brakes? '47-'52 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton axles should all use the same drag link. To install your 1/2 ton axle in the 1 ton, all you should have to do is the same procedure I described earlier for the swap I did. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | I have another goofy question.... are the 3/4 axles different than the 1/2 ton? Will the hubs interchange? Yes, they are different. The hubs will not interchange. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 | Great... Over the weekend I picked up a front end from a 1/2 ton. The guy I got it from used to have about 5 he said until Old Navy bought them up. He kept this one truck that had a strange telephone box setup on it. Never saw anything like it before. That was really neat.
Hopefully in the next week or so I can start working on getting the new one in and the old one out. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 197 | New question, I was looking at wheels for the truck and noticed that the list said load was 1500lbs. Should I be concerned about the load numbers or not since I will never use the 1 ton to carry anything other than me? | | |
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