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BigChevMan · 10-10-2003, 02:08 PM

Ok...I have available to me a 69 c-20 long bed truck for very very very cheap. I have questions regarding the ability to change it to 1/2 ton suspension. I want to do a shortbed conversion. I guess my question would be what is different between the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. I was planning on just swapping in a whole crossmember & suspension from a 73-87 truck. Can I still do this? Please help. I don't want to lose this killer deal.

BigChevMan

krue · 10-10-2003, 03:25 PM

The front crossmember and suspension will bolt up. You only have to enlarge two holes and rerun the brake lines etc.

Does it have leaf or coil rear suspension?

bpmcgee · 10-10-2003, 05:06 PM

Krue,

I thought that C20s would only come with a leaf rear end. Am I incorrect?

Brian

boraxman · 10-10-2003, 05:11 PM

Sounds like alot of work to me, good luck.

ckhd · 10-10-2003, 07:19 PM

There are C20 coil rears. Plenty of them too.

BigChevMan · 10-10-2003, 08:04 PM

thanks guys...anyone else have any experience with this?

Longhorn Man · 10-10-2003, 11:41 PM

The more common rear susp on the 3/4 ton is coil, only the one ton and larger had leaf only rear suspentions.
Big Chevy Man, I'm not sure if you've met him, (As I am not sure of your location in the state) but Fine69 is in the middle of doing the 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton suspention swap right now. He would know any problems if any exist.

BigChevMan · 10-11-2003, 10:46 AM

I'm in the dayton area. Where is he located at?

FRENCHBLUE72 · 10-11-2003, 11:12 AM

I swapped out the 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton and had no problem's except the rear brake line need's help gettin to the axle.. My truck btw is coil at all four corner's...

BigChevMan · 10-11-2003, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FRENCHBLUE72
I swapped out the 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton and had no problem's except the rear brake line need's help gettin to the axle.. My truck btw is coil at all four corner's...

How did you do it? Total crossmember swap or just a-arms and spindles and stuff. The truck i'm getting is all coils too. Any more info would be great

Longhorn Man · 10-11-2003, 07:23 PM

BigChev, fine69 is located in Urbana, he is a wealth of knowledge.

BigChevMan · 10-11-2003, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Longhorn Man
BigChev, fine69 is located in Urbana, he is a wealth of knowledge.

thanks...that's not that far away...maybe he'll let me bug him a bit.

Longhorn Man · 10-11-2003, 07:55 PM

I know I need to get out there sometime soon. I was supposed to swing by about a month ago but was unable.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 10-12-2003, 10:02 AM

I used a stock complete 72 chevy crossmember for the front and just swapped the rear coil's and axle for 1.2 ton stuff..

**67sss** · 10-12-2003, 12:31 PM

I did it to a 70 shorty. Someone had put 3/4t stuff in it, so I changed it all back to 1/2t stuff. It was pretty easy cause the motor and tranny were out. Do the front end first the weight of the rearend will help balance the frame and make it easier to work with.

10-10-2003, 02:08 PM	#1
BigChevMan My Thoughts Exactly! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 140	help Ok...I have available to me a 69 c-20 long bed truck for very very very cheap. I have questions regarding the ability to change it to 1/2 ton suspension. I want to do a shortbed conversion. I guess my question would be what is different between the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. I was planning on just swapping in a whole crossmember & suspension from a 73-87 truck. Can I still do this? Please help. I don't want to lose this killer deal. BigChevMan

10-10-2003, 03:25 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	The front crossmember and suspension will bolt up. You only have to enlarge two holes and rerun the brake lines etc. Does it have leaf or coil rear suspension? __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-10-2003, 05:11 PM	#4
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,920	Sounds like alot of work to me, good luck. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

10-10-2003, 07:19 PM	#5
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	There are C20 coil rears. Plenty of them too. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

10-11-2003, 11:12 AM	#9
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	I swapped out the 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton and had no problem's except the rear brake line need's help gettin to the axle.. My truck btw is coil at all four corner's... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

10-10-2003, 05:06 PM	#3
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Krue, I thought that C20s would only come with a leaf rear end. Am I incorrect? Brian

10-10-2003, 08:04 PM	#6
BigChevMan My Thoughts Exactly! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 140	thanks guys...anyone else have any experience with this?

10-10-2003, 11:41 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	The more common rear susp on the 3/4 ton is coil, only the one ton and larger had leaf only rear suspentions. Big Chevy Man, I'm not sure if you've met him, (As I am not sure of your location in the state) but Fine69 is in the middle of doing the 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton suspention swap right now. He would know any problems if any exist.

10-11-2003, 10:46 AM	#8
BigChevMan My Thoughts Exactly! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 140	I'm in the dayton area. Where is he located at?

10-11-2003, 07:23 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	BigChev, fine69 is located in Urbana, he is a wealth of knowledge.

10-11-2003, 07:55 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I know I need to get out there sometime soon. I was supposed to swing by about a month ago but was unable.

10-12-2003, 10:02 AM	#14
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	I used a stock complete 72 chevy crossmember for the front and just swapped the rear coil's and axle for 1.2 ton stuff.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

10-12-2003, 12:31 PM	#15
67sss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mt. Vernon, WA.. Posts: 2,325	I did it to a 70 shorty. Someone had put 3/4t stuff in it, so I changed it all back to 1/2t stuff. It was pretty easy cause the motor and tranny were out. Do the front end first the weight of the rearend will help balance the frame and make it easier to work with.



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