The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 1 Ton weight question

So a question I was pondering this morning was the weight difference between a 1/2 ton and a 1 Ton. The reason this comes up is that, as some of you have heard me before ask questions about converting a 1 ton to a 1/2 ton, I ended up cutting 21in out of my 1 Ton frame the other day and the sheer weight of that section alone was incredible. I have chopped a few 1/2 ton trucks up before and just this section was fairly weighty in comparison.
I am in the process of pulling the 1Ton front end off, replacing it with a 1/2ton axle(w/discs) and removing the rear axle with a late model 10 bolt. The truck will never see service again in that capacity, so I am not worried about what I have under it so much. I did decide to keep the 216 for the time being and run with that since funds are limited.
Even though I will post it under the parts section most of what I am not using off the 1 Ton will be available. I hate to see everything go to the scrap yard.
With removing all of the axles and such I figure the main weight will be those massive frame rails... Makes me feel better knowing that my son will probably drive it when he is old enough.

If you're asking about a '53, a one ton pickup weighs 3920 pounds and a 1/2 ton pickup weighs 3100 pounds.
Info is from Standard Catalog of Chevrolet Trucks. Other sources may vary.

Exactly what I was looking for, so with the removal of the front end and the back end that would actually take a large piece of the weight out. I would assume that I am now in the 3300 range in weight with all that has been removed. My concern was over the type of wheels that I could run on the truck.

Using numbers from the '53 Chevrolet restoration pack the 1/2-ton weights 3265 and the 1-ton weighs 4100. These numbers are for a pickup with the standard box on each.

The frame material is thicker, the height and width of the frame sections are taller and wider. A 1/2-ton truck built on a shortened 1-ton frame is very likely going to weigh more than the same truck on a 1/2-ton frame.

Since the original 1-ton could be moved by the 216 I would assume it will also move a lightened truck, but be aware as you choose your transmission and rear gears that your truck is on the heavy side.

I am swapping out the rear with a El Camino rear pretty sure it has 3.42 gears in it. Much much lighter setup... That original axle is a beast compared to what I am putting into it.
The 1/2 ton front axle with discs will also help the weight in the front end since the Axle that is on there is just one big piece of metal. They both should be swapped out in the next week.

Jackyl-The front of the frame on the 1 ton is 1/8" wider than the 1/2 ton. I don't know if the 1/2 ton front springs are going to fit the 1 ton frame. The 1/2 ton springs are 38" long. the 1 ton springs are 40" long. So you'll have to relocate the spring mounts. The rear springs differ in length also. The 1/2 ton rears are 54" and the 1 ton rears are 46". The 1/2 ton rear springs won't fit in the 1 ton spring hangers.
The 1/2 ton springs are narrower. Also remember the 1 ton axle mounts under the spring, the frame is flat over the axle with no clearance hump like on the 1/2 ton. Why are you concerned about the weight of the truck? Are you getting rid of weight for some reason? That El Camino axle will be fine with the 3.42 gears. That axle isn't effected by the weight of the truck unless you try to carry 2,000+lb. load.

I am going to stick with the 1 ton springs right now, front and rear. I have been looking at them debating it because of the idea that it will be a stiffer ride, but I still like the idea that they have grease fittings.
The front swap to a 1/2 should not be too difficult since everything except the hole sizes which I need to make bigger are the only difference. The reason for the weight was more from a standpoint of what wheels I wanted to run. I have a set of cragars that are on my 41 buick that I think will be moved over to the truck since the Buick needs to be finished and since they are car tires vs truck tires I was concerned.

I took a load to the garbage dump and they weigh you in and out and my 1ton empty was 5,000lbs! makes a 2ton rated floor jack sqeak to lift 2 wheels off the ground.

HMMmmmmm---Both of my one tons (a '76 W/454 and a '74-'79 blend W/355)weigh in at around 7,800 pounds each,but they're duallies with 12 foot flatbeds and tool boxes,too. I'd never thought much about why they're so heavy,but now it makes sense.
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