Chevy C1500 suspension convert to a 2500 ??

Cactus · Feb 8, 2005

I have a 1993 Chevy C1500 4x4 work truck package and the truck only has 87000 miles, I have had it since it was new and yes I have used it for more than it was designed for. The spring broke (I think) during a cold snap and I was backing up a hill and was rawhiding the truck to get it out of the place I was in. The ground was ruff and I the back wheels were bouncing and I was having to keep the truck going about 15 mph in reverse to keep my momentum up.
The truck would not retail for much,and it has a lot of use left in it.

Av8r3400 · Feb 8, 2005

IMHO: Run 'er till she drops. THEN buy the 2500. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Edit: RobS the LD (removed) 250 has a 7 (SEVEN!!) lug hub. Only in a (removed). /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

sendero · Feb 8, 2005

I'm going to get myself in trouble here, again.

IMHO, if you beef up your springs you can load it like a 3/4 ton and you won't have any problems at all.

Here is the "data" I'm basing this on. I work in an area that is populated with a lot of auto mechanics and body shops.

There are guys who make a living, such as it is, hauling off discarded engine blocks, fenders, heads, you name it. One such fellow has hauled off some stuff for us. He loads down his mid 90s Ford Ranger til the bumper is 4 inches from the ground. He'll pile metal up so high it is taller than the cab and over the cab. If there is an ounce less than a ton on his fully loaded truck, I'd be surprised. He does this day in and day out, as do a zillion other scrap metal collectors.

He's never had a problem, and kinda laughed at me when I asked him how often his truck broke down. "Never had a problem with it".

IMHO, the frame, axles, etc, etc, etc, on today's pickup trucks are way way way overrated. They are not going to fail becuause of a 50% increment in load. You'll need springs to hold it all up, and some good big tires, but the rest of the truck is tough enough to handle a lot more than the rated load.

This is merely my opinion, and I'm well aware that it is not shared by even a majority. Your mileage may vary. Void where not legal.

RobertN · Feb 8, 2005

I had an old Ford 1/2 ton years ago. Loaded it like a 3/4 or 1-ton while scrapping for a drywall company. I loaded the bejeebies out of it. I used a 3/4 ton now and then; it hauled the same amount, since the bed was the same size, and the side boards were the same height.

The 3/4 ton hauled better, but my old 1/2 ton did work day in and day out.

That is, till the spiders went in the rear end. Fixed that. The the input shaft to the tranny went... Fixed that...

The suspension actualy, handled things pretty well. It was the rest of the truck that didn't. I could have added bigger springs, which would have handled the weight better. But that wouldn't help the tranny...

I think you are facing one of three options.
1) Just keep thrashing the truck till it breaks more
2) Lighten the load; make two trips if needed
3) get a truck for the work you do, maybe a 3/4 ton, or even a 1-ton.

From expierience... fwiw, imho

Bully · Feb 8, 2005

Your best bet, or at least one to consider is to fix the leaf spring, then invest in some air-lift air bags. they will cost you around $250-300 but will support your load no problem. If your going to tow with it, the tongue weight will be supported well. make sure that your trailer brakes are functioning good. Gary.

dmp437 · Feb 11, 2005

The W/T package in 1993 was the entry level package and trying to turn it into a 3/4 ton would be expensive and the life of the unit would be diminished. The entry level 1/2 ton platform was a glorified RWD car chassis used on the Caprice/Roadmaster/Fleetwood platform ith light duty (by truck standards) bearings, brakes, and running gear. There was an extra duty package available that essentially turned it into a "5/8 ton" but the listed GVW didn't approach that of the 3/4 ton.
If you're keeping the truck (I would) pick up some "heavy half" spring packs with overloads under them and change the shocks out to the heaviest possible. It would be desirable to change both packs and have a matched set. If you fatigued a leaf on one side the other is probably in comparable conditiion. You would then come closest to maxing out the frame's capacity.