I picked up a 1st gen half-ton for a song. It has no cab or motor, but everything else is there and in pretty good shape.
What I want to do is use the suspension and front axle from the half-ton, combined with the rear axle and drivetrain from a d250, and make a nice high mpg cruiser.
If I beef it up a bit, will the front axle handle the extra weight of the cummins? It's got a coilover setup, but beyond that I haven't looked at it too hard.

Thoughts?

 

is it a short bed?

 

No it's a long bed, but I'm thinking about doing a stepside for it.

 

You'll probably have to change the springs to keep it off the bumpstops, but it'll make a fine hot-rod. A guy who goes by Jughead on here has a D150 with a p-pumped 12 valve in it and he's quite happy with it.

 

If you are using the d 250 as donor I suggest you use the front suspension also. Look on 250's door jamb and see what your front axle rating is #3400 or #4000 The 1/2 ton suspension will work but put a lot of stress on front end. I started with an 85 gasser d-350 and the front suspension was not enough. I dented the oil pan and the center link was barely clearing the bottom of oil pan. It would be less work in my opinion to just swap complete d-250 front and rear suspension. Or go with a 4bt!!! Just my thoughts on the subject .....Augie

 

But if you put all the 3/4 ton running gear under it then your defeating the purpose of it weighing less?? then its just another 4600# longbed D250 badged as a d150. lol

maybe if it was shortbed i could imagine putting 3/4 ton running gear under it because that would be lighter.

 

So your going to sacrifice weight for safety?.....Hmmmmm!

 

would it be that unsafe if I used stiffer front springs? My goal is to go for a short bed stepside, but for now I'll just use the longbed as is. The front suspension on the 1/2 ton is a nice coil spring/strut setup, not sure yet exactly what it is as I haven't gotten it up on the lift yet.
Am I going to be doing an alignment every 2 months with this setup? Also, what about hooking the steering up?
Thanks for the opinions...

 

If it's just a hot rod it will be fine. If you are going to load it down and work it hard then you need the beefier suspension and brakes.

 

You don't think the spindle bearings will be overloaded to the max? And the brakes also? Good luck.

 

first gen trucks are not the wimps the sec. gen trucks are