1/2 ton to 1 ton rear end swap

[KadenJ]

Hey, y'all! Super new here I literally only joined in the attempt to find someone that might know more than I do about this area of tech work. I'm looking for any knowledge you guys might have on my attempt to go from a 1/2-ton 4.7 rear end to a 1-ton rear end. I met a guy who had done this on his rig but he took it to a shop to have it done. I am less interested in having someone do it for me and would rather try to do it myself. I have the technical knowledge and abilities but I don't know where to start, or even if it's possible. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'm aware that this is an abnormal conversion for a 4.7 of all motors. I'm looking to prep the rig for a flatbed but if I were to do the flatbed now I know my rear end wouldn't be able to support it.

The end goal is to have a pretty beefy 4.7 that I can off-road and show off for its peculiar set-up.
Thank you!

 

[HemiLonestar]

9¼ is pretty beefy (same one the hemi uses, and all big block cars and trucks from 1974 or so to 1978). Why do you think it won't be enough? If it's too much for that axle, safe bet it'll be too much for that frame.
2wd or 4wd? 1 ton axles are big and heavy and have different ratios than the the half tons. If you have a front pumpkin you may not be able to match ratios.

 

[tron67j]

Exactly above. You won't gain more payload with what you are doing, in fact if you are thinking of carrying more than truck is rated for, you may end up on here as a picture of truck bent in half as we have recently seen a number of. Just buy a heavier duty truck and know it can handle what you want to do.

 

[crazykid1994]

As stated even if you swap the axles you are still limited by the actual frame. I know there are flatbeds available in aluminum that are light weight which may be better for you than a big steel flatbed. I believe that with a 4.7 1500 your payload should be around 1500lbs or so if I’m correct. That’s a decent amount for a 1/2 ton truck. Is it a crew cab or quad cab? And instead of beefing up the 4.7 you can drop in a 5.7 and be ahead already on power at a pretty low cost.

 

[dhay13]

Actually you will lose payload by swapping in that axle due to the heavier weight.

You did mention off-roading? If you aren't driving it on the street than payload won't matter from a legal standpoint but yeah, like said, your frame will decide how much weight the truck can handle

 

[White six four]

I've seen plenty of s10s, rangers, etc with flat beds and none of them needed a one ton rear-end.

 

[DILLIGAF]

The axles is the least of your worries to prep for a flatbed.

 

[Rlaf75]

I don't really care what you're going to do with it but if the truck is 4x4 then you better make sure the gear ratios match

 

[KadenJ]

9¼ is pretty beefy (same one the hemi uses, and all big block cars and trucks from 1974 or so to 1978). Why do you think it won't be enough? If it's too much for that axle, safe bet it'll be too much for that frame.
2wd or 4wd? 1 ton axles are big and heavy and have different ratios than the the half tons. If you have a front pumpkin you may not be able to match ratios.

I had seen a friend of mine do it, I was hoping to see if I could match the effort. I have a 4wd so it would be a full 1ton conversion but yeah the lord I looked into it the more this all makes sense. I’ll probably just beef it’s suspension and then flip it for a heavy duty.

 

[KadenJ]

Actually you will lose payload by swapping in that axle due to the heavier weight.

You did mention off-roading? If you aren't driving it on the street than payload won't matter from a legal standpoint but yeah, like said, your frame will decide how much weight the truck can handle

Alright, thank you man!

 

[KadenJ]

I don't really care what you're going to do with it but if the truck is 4x4 then you better make sure the gear ratios match

Yeah it’ll have to be a front and rear conversion. Maybe too much effort for a 4.7…..

 

[KadenJ]

Actually you will lose payload by swapping in that axle due to the heavier weight.

You did mention off-roading? If you aren't driving it on the street than payload won't matter from a legal standpoint but yeah, like said, your frame will decide how much weight the truck can handle

Oh. I didn’t think of it like that. Thank you man!

 

[KadenJ]

As stated even if you swap the axles you are still limited by the actual frame. I know there are flatbeds available in aluminum that are light weight which may be better for you than a big steel flatbed. I believe that with a 4.7 1500 your payload should be around 1500lbs or so if I’m correct. That’s a decent amount for a 1/2 ton truck. Is it a crew cab or quad cab? And instead of beefing up the 4.7 you can drop in a 5.7 and be ahead already on power at a pretty low cost.

Where could I look into a aluminum flat bed?? That would be way better for me. Then I could put money into suspension and a near motor.

 

[Rlaf75]

Yeah it’ll have to be a front and rear conversion. Maybe too much effort for a 4.7…..

You are correct. A costly pain in the @ss I'm sure.

 

[GTyankee]

You could likely find one of those vehicle yards that are all over Az.
that have a used bed that you could buy for less than $1,000

something like this, only well used

 

[Randy Grant]

one ton frame and put whatever body you want on it .

 

[crazykid1994]

Where could I look into an aluminum flat bed?? That would be way better for me. Then I could put money into suspension and a near motor.

Google

 

[HemiLonestar]

I had seen a friend of mine do it, I was hoping to see if I could match the effort. I have a 4wd so it would be a full 1ton conversion but yeah the lord I looked into it the more this all makes sense. I’ll probably just beef it’s suspension and then flip it for a heavy duty.

Which entails fab work, as ½ tons have IFS and ¾ ton & up are solid axle.

 

[mtnrider]

Don't, just don't.....

If you need an HD truck buy an HD truck. I cringe every time I see bubba ideas like this, People wanting to make a dually out of a SRW etc etc. The time and $ invested is a losing proposition.

.

 

[KadenJ]

Don't, just don't.....

If you need an HD truck buy an HD truck. I cringe every time I see bubba ideas like this, People wanting to make a dually out of a SRW etc etc. The time and $ invested is a losing proposition.

.

It was for the uniqueness of it lol.