Best starter base?

Ok, i have been doing some searching around here. I still have a few questions regarding dually's. I have been wanting to do a regular cab long box. But they are a little harder to find around that, that is in good condition. not totally rusted out. so my question is. Is buying a regular 1500 and converting it over very hard. (as in dealing with axle setup or mainly the front suspension) i know i can just swap out the rear with a 1 ton rear end but i was wondering about the front as you see some trucks with really bad camper issues. i thought i read on here that 1/2 & 3/4 ton front a arms are diff and will cause the. So my main question is. If i was to buy a 1/2 ton does the 1 ton stuff bolt up on the front or do i need a whole new cross member or do i even need to do anything but bags and spindles. i know the rear is easy. Any help is appreciated. and if there is anything else that may need to be brought up about doing a 1/2 to duals, please let me know.

The frames are totally different. I'd skip trying to turn a 1500 into a 3500...

Richard

What body style you looking at doing? With a square it wouldn't be that big of a deal. The frame is completely different but the front crossmember is the same so all the 1-ton stuff will bolt on to it. The rear shouldn't be a big deal, but I think the frame rails may be slightly wider, but I don't know I've never measured it just seems to be after having a 1/2 ton burb and now my dually. But if your gonna bag it just get a rear end and run a link system of some sort.

I would want the real deal but if you throw enough money at it anythings possible ( that's my motto ) <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Like Husker said if it a sq body it is simple. Several years ago I converted an 1984 1/2ton suburban into a 1 ton suburban, the front was easy just bought all brake pieces and upper and lower a arms, as well as 1 ton splindles, the back I had to weld 1/2 ton leaf spring perches to the axels but it worked perfect ended up with a 6&quot; front and 8&quot; rear drop with 16&quot; Alcoas all around it was pretty cool for back in 1998. If it is a newer body style I dont know if it will work quite as easy.

Well i have been wanting to do a 98 or 99 as i like there interior the best. I want to bag it and run 22's. but i was just curious as to the front as the rear,like husker said is easy. And now knowing the front is just bolt on it makes that even better. I too would rather have the reall deal but around here all the 1 tons are sh$t boxes. rusted out farm trucks or city trucks that are beat to hell and i really dont want to have to ship something. Also where i'm at. a regular cab long box chevy is a dime a dozen. cheap two.

I don't know about the 98-99. I was talking about the 73-92, the only years really worth having.

Richard

Well unless it's a ford then any year will do.

I have done both 73-91 and 88-99 and not had any problems just use a srw 3\4 ton full float rear for the width and all the front will bolt right up from the one ton only advantage to the one ton frame is if your pullin all the time its heavyduty I have done 8 of them this way just my two cents hope it helps <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->