I'm new here and looking for advice on purchasing a 3/4 ton vs. 1/2 ton. I've been searching for a 1/2 ton but found a 49 3/4 ton out west that's in real good shape, all original, and no rust. How hard is it to find one piece wheels. Truck currently has 3 piece 7.50 x 17? Would this truck be a daily driver as is without any changes to suspension? Any advice would be helpful as this would be my 1st classic truck.
Welcome aboard, enjoy the ride while here. There are many here that have the 3/4 T & changed them out to 5 and 6 lug systems.
It depends on where your "daily drive" takes you. The 3/4 ton will have either a 4.57:1 or 5.14:1 rear end ratio. This will limit top speed to around 45-50 MPH with the engine making a lot more racket than you are used to. There are no "over the counter" disk brake kits for the 3/4 ton, but with the limited top speed that shouldn't be a problem. If your daily drive is all below 40 mph with no long downhill runs it should do fine.
The rear ends can be changed out to at least 410s which are still in the pick a parts also you can have a 342/1 built as I did for my 1 ton and cruise the freeways at 80. The 1/2 tons still have to have the 355 gear installed. So no matter what one you get you are going to have to do some gear changing unless you only do a couple of miles a day and never hit the highway roads.
Welcome to the spot! Lots of info here & great people who don't mind sharing it. I have a 3600 myself. Although I initially wanted a 1/2 ton, I found a good deal on mine and intended to shorten the bed but never did & I love it! These aren't as hard to modify as people think as most of the parts interchange with the 3100. I ended up adding IFS from a 79' 1/2ton, Camaro rear ( can't recall the year but I think it was a 74) then added disc brakes from a 91. Drives like a champ! Don't shy away from the it, make it your own & have some fun!
