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Converting 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton

Mark-23

By Mark-23
in Ask A GM Technician

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Mark-23 Enthusiast

Mark-23

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I've always wanted a 3/4 on Yukon XL but I could never afford one at the moment. I have been coming up on boards and rats were people have converted their 1/2 tons to 3/4 trucks.

 

I know this is possible for my Yukon XL GMT 800 and I'm at the right place to ask what to do. How do I convert this thing into a three-quarter ton truck what do I need and how much am I looking at?

Dnt Senior Enthusiast

Dnt

Posted
Posted

See this is exactly what I have been contemplating. I think I have it figured out, if I can find a 2500 HD Denali Duramax in the blue with a light interior I can mix in around $20,000.00 and BOOM/BAM I magically have a 3/4 ton.

.2017_gmc_sierra_2500hd_denali_stone_blue

Mark-23 Enthusiast

Mark-23

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Listen up folks who wish to be sarcastic with me... there is a reason why I wish to convert my 1/2 ton instead buying a brand new 3/4 ton.

 

 

 

 

 

If I'd to get my hands on that blue Denali HD 2500 but I don't have 20k in my pocket because I'm a full-time student and I work 40 hours a week making 10 bucks an hour and tax that into the Californian budget system it's a pain in the ****ing ass to get my hands on a new car let's just say that.

 

If I can find 20 grand then I would've bought a brand-new suburban or Yukon XL 2500 GMT 800 model a long time back.

 

But I've heard a lot of guys on forums converting their 1/2 ton trucks into 3/4 ton trucks and I would like to get my truck converted so please if you have any advice to give to throw it in to the thread !!!

 

I'm a full-time student studying mechanical engineering so it's not easy for me to go out there and get a high-paying job unless I have to sacrifice my education and I really wouldn't want that to happen

kammi10 Enthusiast

kammi10

Posted
Posted

Listen up folks who wish to be sarcastic with me... there is a reason why I wish to convert my 1/2 ton instead buying a brand new 3/4 ton.

 

 

 

 

 

If I'd to get my hands on that blue Denali HD 2500 but I don't have 20k in my pocket because I'm a full-time student and I work 40 hours a week making 10 bucks an hour and tax that into the Californian budget system it's a pain in the ****ing ass to get my hands on a new car let's just say that.

 

If I can find 20 grand then I would've bought a brand-new suburban or Yukon XL 2500 GMT 800 model a long time back.

 

But I've heard a lot of guys on forums converting their 1/2 ton trucks into 3/4 ton trucks and I would like to get my truck converted so please if you have any advice to give to throw it in to the thread !!!

 

I'm a full-time student studying mechanical engineering so it's not easy for me to go out there and get a high-paying job unless I have to sacrifice my education and I really wouldn't want that to happen

 

 

its impossible to physically change it over. i'm pretty sure the 3/4 ton and up use a different frame that is bigger than the half ton. at least looking at them side by side it does.

 

if you really have a need for a 3/4 ton. your best bet is going to be trying to find a good used one to just replace your current one with. its not going to be cost effective to swap out some of the components bc its really not going to be a 3/4 ton truck and it also will not have the stopping power a 3/4 ton has which is the most important part of having the 3/4 ton

Mark-23 Enthusiast

Mark-23

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Regarding the frame of three-quarter ton trucks they said on the forums that there really is no difference between the frames rather the difference is in the torsion bars and the axles and the tranny and the engine block and the little stuff they talked about but they did mention multiple times that the frame of the half ton is very similar to that of a three-quarter ton truck and that's how it was possible to make the conversion

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

3/4 ton yukons use leaf springs. 1500 series use a multi link setup. A lot of difference in the rear

Mark-23 Enthusiast

Mark-23

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3/4 ton yukons use leaf springs. 1500 series use a multi link setup. A lot of difference in the rear

Mines an XL, same frame like the sierra 1/2

 

The differences can be made up for through the conversation process

 

I just want my XL to look and be a bit heavy duty ya kno

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

Should still be a multi link rear suspension. You want it more heavy duty, add a set of load leveling air bags, and change the gearing. No matter what you do, you still can't tow more than the sticker in the door says.

Mark-23 Enthusiast

Mark-23

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Should still be a multi link rear suspension. You want it more heavy duty, add a set of load leveling air bags, and change the gearing. No matter what you do, you still can't tow more than the sticker in the door says.

F my life. Then wtf were these guys talking bout??!!

 

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/165626/

 

 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=486986

 

 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=483267

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

Projects. Also they are staying with the same suspension types. What you want to do would involve a different suspension types.

Mark-23 Enthusiast

Mark-23

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Projects. Also they are staying with the same suspension types. What you want to do would involve a different suspension types.

For example my Yukon XL is 4wd has a 5.3l and has 3.73 gears. I can only pull 7,200lbs but I wanna pull maybe 10k let's say...

 

 

What do I gotta do?

 

What do you mean that what I'm talking about involves a different type of suspension systems?

 

And why the hell are they considering their projects half a ton conversions to three-quarter ton conversions?

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

Because those guys have trucks that have leaf springs. You don't. 3/4 ton yukons have leaf springs. And legally, no matter what you do, that VIN number can only pull 7200 pounds.

Mark-23 Enthusiast

Mark-23

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Yeah you're right I guess I'm gonna have to look for a three-quarter ton suburban or Yukon XL GMT 800 when I'm done with school which is going to be in a while.

Mark-23 Enthusiast

Mark-23

Posted
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Posted

Because those guys have trucks that have leaf springs. You don't. 3/4 ton yukons have leaf springs. And legally, no matter what you do, that VIN number can only pull 7200 pounds.

 

 

You said

 

"Should still be a multi link rear suspension. You want it more heavy duty, add a set of load leveling air bags, and change the gearing"

 

Anything else I can do to make it more heavy duty?

 

Is it easy to add 3/4 leaf springs to a 1/2 ton? ( can I add leaf springs in general?)

 

Tell me what kind of gearing I should get for it ect?

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

You have multi link. 3/4 ton does. Adding leaf springs is not feasible. You can make it more stable with loads with air bags. You can't legally tow more than what GM says on the vehicle. Look at a 4.10 gear or 4.56. But gas mileage goes down

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