Forum Discussion
twodownzero
Jun 25, 2014Explorer
You might consider replacing both axles with 3/4 ton units which you can get from a junkyard. When you're at it, replace all four springs. The factory 3 leaf front springs are what would have come in a heavier-duty truck. The rears you will want to upgrade to 56" long springs if they aren't already and you can get springs that will support whatever weight camper you want to use. The holes to move your spring hangers are already in your frame and you'd just have to knock the rivets out and move the hanger back a few inches. Most 1/2 tons have 52" long springs but some already have 3/4 ton springs. The hangers, spring spacing, and shackles are the same, so all you would need are the leaf springs themselves and new u bolts and spring plates. You can get the spring plates with your axles at the junkyard, but I would highly recommend new leaf springs.
A 14 bolt full floating rear axle from a 3/4 ton truck will bolt right into your truck (full floaters came in pre-1982 C and K 20s and C20s of all years with 454s). It will have huge drum brakes that are 2.5" wide.
When you are done, you will need to buy heavy duty 8 lug wheels and install E rated tires. There are a number of sizes that may work; common sizes include 235/85R16 and 245/75R16. There may be some larger sizes that will come in E rated for 16s as well (maybe something like a 285/75R16 or so).
Although it won't change the sticker on the door, it will give you a rear axle that will support MUCH more weight and a braking and suspension system that will be identical to a 3/4 ton truck.
A set of 1 ton axles will give you an even heavier-duty front axle with even bigger front brakes, but the front axle alone will cost you $1000-1500.
A pair of 3/4 ton axles can be had in serviceable condition from the junkyard for ~$600 or so. You can change the brakes, repack the bearings, replace ball joints and steering, etc. while you're at it. The front driveshaft will hook right up. In the rear, you will either need a conversion u joint ($40) or to modify the driveshaft from the bigger truck.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, you won't be able to do it.
If you do, you can probably do all of this in 2-3 weekends and you'll have a truck that has the effective equivalent of double the current GVWR.
If you have a good running and rust free 1984 Chevrolet K10, converting it into a K20 plus a few extra leaves in the back and good, new, heavy duty tires will probably support any camper that could go on a brand new SRW truck.
A 14 bolt full floating rear axle from a 3/4 ton truck will bolt right into your truck (full floaters came in pre-1982 C and K 20s and C20s of all years with 454s). It will have huge drum brakes that are 2.5" wide.
When you are done, you will need to buy heavy duty 8 lug wheels and install E rated tires. There are a number of sizes that may work; common sizes include 235/85R16 and 245/75R16. There may be some larger sizes that will come in E rated for 16s as well (maybe something like a 285/75R16 or so).
Although it won't change the sticker on the door, it will give you a rear axle that will support MUCH more weight and a braking and suspension system that will be identical to a 3/4 ton truck.
A set of 1 ton axles will give you an even heavier-duty front axle with even bigger front brakes, but the front axle alone will cost you $1000-1500.
A pair of 3/4 ton axles can be had in serviceable condition from the junkyard for ~$600 or so. You can change the brakes, repack the bearings, replace ball joints and steering, etc. while you're at it. The front driveshaft will hook right up. In the rear, you will either need a conversion u joint ($40) or to modify the driveshaft from the bigger truck.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, you won't be able to do it.
If you do, you can probably do all of this in 2-3 weekends and you'll have a truck that has the effective equivalent of double the current GVWR.
If you have a good running and rust free 1984 Chevrolet K10, converting it into a K20 plus a few extra leaves in the back and good, new, heavy duty tires will probably support any camper that could go on a brand new SRW truck.
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