The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 1 ton to 3/4 ton suspension swap?

I just bought a 1942 Chevy 1 ton truck. VIN buster says it's a 1 to 1 1/2 ton truck. It has a 134 inch wheelbase, 216, 4 speed, 6:17 rear gears, PTO and it was setup as a dump bed. Dual rams, Chelsea cables, but no dump bed. I don't plan on using the dump bed mechanics and will install a light weight flatbed (already have) and will be installing a 1957 235 inline six, dual carbs, Fenton headers and change the tranny to a fully syncro 1965 Chevy truck 4 speed granny trans, (maybe 4 speed Saginaw later). I already have those parts and want to change the rear out to maybe a 14 bolt with highway gears. I also have a 1953 Chevy 3/4 ton donor truck. Can I use the 3/4 ton suspension to replace the 1 ton front suspension so I can get rid of the 20" tires? My goal is to have a daily driver that I can drive on the freeway at 65-70 mph? I'm not too concerned with trying to tow heavy loads, just enjoy an old truck and attempt to get as much mpg out of it. I also have a 1966 GMC 6 lug Dana 44 3:54 power lock rearend that I thought about using, but I'm not sure what would be involved in changing from the 1 ton front suspension to a 1/2 ton front suspension. Just for info, a 1/2 ton front axle dimensions measure the same as my 1 ton, except for spring width (mine is 2" as oppossed to 1 3/4" on the 1/2 ton), and the frame is a lightweight frame unlike the 2 or 2 1/2 tonners. It seems that the only parts larger on my 1 ton compared to a 1/2 or 3/4 ton are the front fenders, longer hood. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

I am thinking that you have a larger than a 1 ton. 1 tons have the same fenders and hood as a 1/2 or a 3/4 ton. A 1 1/2 ton would have the 20 inch tires, rear axel ratio of 6:17 To 1,A 134 in wheelbase, PTO and dump bed and a 216 engine. A 2 ton would have a 235 splash oiling engine. How about posting your VIN # and one of us will Bust it. Best of luck with your New Truck. Jerry

Jerry,
With regards to the fenders, they are larger but not cut back at an angle like the 2 ton trucks. The Stovebolt vin buster says it's a 1 or 1 1/2 ton. The vin is 3MR028520. The title list it as a 1 ton. I haven't checked the numbers off the engine yet, as I just got it recently. 1 ton, 2 ton, I love it and it's in great shape. It hasn't even had a heater installed in it over all these years. Thanks
Bob

I have a 1941 1Ton and I was able to fit 1/2 ton Disk brakes on it without changing the front axel out, I was still able to use my original 6 lug 17" rims. I discovered that the 1941 1 Ton,1/2 Ton and 3/4 Ton used the same front end by comparing all the numbers in a factory parts manual.

As for the rest of the truck I installed a sb350 engine, 700R4 Transmission and a custom rear end with 3.90 gears.

I am puzzled that you have the stock 1 ton fenders with no cut out for the 20" wheels.

What is the allowed load weight stamped on the Vin Plate?

Dave,

The VIN plate shows the allowable weights as 11,500 without a govenor and 13,500 with a govenor. I measured the front axle and it has the same spring pad dimesions except my front springs are 2" wide as opposed to 1 3/4" for the 1/2 ton axle. I am going to do some closer measuring and see what will fit without changing the stock appearance too much. Thanks.

Bob

Dave,

Did you take any pics of the suspension swap you performed on your 1 ton? My front axle casting number is 3656417, how does that compare with your front axle? If you have any pics, please send what you have to [email protected] Thanks in advance

Bob

Bob, I did not have to swap any of the basic suspension. I just removed all of the brake parts and replaced them with the 6 lug 1/2 ton kit from Jim Carter.

I kept all of the front axel parts in place including the spindels. It was basically a swap out of parts. I did go to a dual chamber master cylinder mounted on the fire wall.

Dave,

That's good to know that you didn't have to swap out the axle. At your convenience, could you let me know what the casting number on your front axle is? The casting number on my axle is 3656417. Sure would be nice to find out that they are the same, so I can work on ordering the 6 lug kit from Jim Carter. Thanks in advance.

Bob

Bob, My casting number is 3656525 C10 with 2 inch springs.

Again all I had to do was remove the old brake backing plates and drums.

I used the existing spindles and everything was "bolt on"

Hope this helps.

One other point, my 1941 1 ton has front fenders that are just a little larger than the 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks with 15/16 inch wheel rims due to the 17" wheels.

When you went to the 20" wheels the fenders were shaved in the front for more clearence.

Dave,
Thanks for providing the info on your front axle. Unfortunately for me my axle doesn't have the same casting numbers, the numbers on my axle are 3656417 as opposed to your 3656525. I'm glad to hear that you didn't have to change spindles, I might even be able to use the Jim Carter kit on my axle. If not, I also have access to a 3/4 ton axle and I'll check the casting numbers. Hey by the way, my fenders are not shaved even though it has 20" wheels. I'm going to measure my front fenders at thier widest point and get a dimension. If you don't mind, if I could bug you one more time, I'd like to compare that dimension to your front fenders. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks for the info.
Bob