Z71 to 1 ton Dually Conversion?

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Ricky B

Ricky B

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Mar 20, 2005
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LKN - Tha Dirty Mo (Mooresville, NC)
If you're wantin to pull a goosneck trailer, like a dual car hauler, do you need to have a dually rear end or can you do it safely with a SRW?

Just wondering Cause I'm starting to plan out my axle/brake swap on my Z71 and am wondering if I need to go dually or not. I'm leaning toward dually just because its gotta be safer, but just wondering if it's neccesary.

And before you guys flip out about I'm a frikin idiot to haul a gooseneck with a Z71 I'm Planning on converting my Z71 into a full out 1 ton tow rig. 14 bolt rear, 2500 IFS outers/brakes up front, and finish boxing/beefing the frame.
 
What about springs, shocks, and crossbraces?

I think the easiest way to convert your truck to a 1ton dually, would involve a dealer lot and 2 bills of sale...

But good luck, either way..

And I have pulled a GN with SRW (in a factory 1ton)many times with no issues...
 
Seriously, if you plan on towing something that big go out and buy a 2wd one ton gasser. Its stupid to try to convert a half ton to a one ton. The time and money it would take wouldnt be much less than buying an older towrig.
 
Ah of course, sell mine and buy another, only problem is I don't think I'm ever gonna sell my truck so I'm just gonna use the $ to build mine into a stout tow rig.

OK springs, shocks, crossbraces, leafs, and frame, were mentioned. Frame is already partially beefed just have to finish it which means boxing and adding crossmembers, the leafs are already setup to handle the weight. shocks I will have to upgrade to better ones but thats no big deal

The main thing is I'm just not gonna sell my truck, lol, so I'm gonna do the dang thing and turn it into a tow beast.
 
i tow a GN all the time w/ a srw 3/4 ton. dually is only nessacary if you're planning on running alot of tongue weight, like w/ those 2 and 3 car haulers that have one car basically on the bed of the tow rig
 
dude, listen to these folks, the frame on your Z71 is not up to the task. the frame channel is 3.5" tall where the goose hitch would mount, and the metal thickness just isn't there to support the load.

I can appreciate the willingness to work it out, but there is a time when cost and common sense need to prevail. THIS IS IT !

yer know it all attitude is gonna get someone killed, is it gonna be you ?
 
Well if you are set on doing it (like you have done things in the past) after you beef everything then get your self a set of air bags for the rear to help level the trailer when towing..

once I finish my grease set up I am adding 5000lb bags to my truck.. just to help with the ride
 
Go ahead and convert your truck, and tow 10k + lbs with it to get you and your friends trucks to the trail. BUT, let us know when and your route of travel so we can let are friends and family know to not be in or around the area. Dude, enjoy the z71 for what it is, and save up to buy a true tow rig. Or just beg/borrow from someone else.
 
Don't forget that the DMV will nail you for towing with a rig with such a low GRVW and a big trailer. No matter what you have done to make it safe, it will still be illegal. For the cost of the conversion + the time it takes, just go pick up a 1st gen dodge. I know that when I was looking at trailers I had to change my mind so that I would be legal. Doesn't just matter if it is legal in NC. Look at the states you are going to tow in. A lot of times they let it slide, but I have found that with a big load behind you they are not very lienent.
 
Not to mention, let your insuance company find out you have " Modified" the truck to carry more than it's designed weight AFTER you have had the accident, YOU ARE SCREWED !

what ever damage, medical what ever is a result ( no matter how large or small) and you are on your own !! Can you say this will never happen.
I'd be willing to bet, if they knew about the mods you have done to the frame now, they would drop you.

a different truck sounding cheaper yet ?
 
Aight guys, the comments about me killin people are not neccesary, all you have to say is what part is unsafe and tell me what to do to fix the issue. People start sayin I'm an idiot just cause I'm putting it together myself so I guess since its not from the factory its not worthy, so I guess all you guy's offroad rigs arnt worthy or safe to do what they do since there not from the factory?

So the frame just isnt thick enough? Thats something I can fix when I go through and finish beefing it, I can make the frame as big and thick as I want, thats not a problem.

What else needs to be done, I'm wanting to do this so its a good stout and safe setup. I can build it how I need to so that its up to the task. So tell me what needs to be done and I'll put it on the list.

As far as the DMV I was just gonna call them and ask what I need to do to get my truck qualified for a larger payload truck so that it will be cool with the DMV and Insurance.
 
It's not the thickness of the steel, it's also the SIZE.

IIRC the 2500HD's have a frame 2" taller than the 1500's. Voodoo could confirm the size though.
 
Rich said:
It's not the thickness of the steel, it's also the SIZE.
IIRC the 2500HD's have a frame 2" taller than the 1500's. Voodoo could confirm the size though.
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yeah, I could but at this point it's useless.

He knows more than we do, typical young dumb and full of cum attitude. We all went thru it, some of us even survived.

It's Darwins turn .
 
Thats cool, I can just make the frame bigger too, yea voodoo if you could give me some specs on your frame to base off of that'd be sweet, thanks.

* edit: Dang you guys post fast, Why do you say I know everything all the time man? I posted this thread to ask for help? You think something isnt safe tell me what it is and what I need to do to get it there, don't just say oh you're an idiot
 
jrraw23 said:
Why do you say I know everything all the time man? I posted this thread to ask for help? You think something isnt safe tell me what it is and what I need to do to get it there, don't just say oh you're an idiot
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This is from a disinterested third party as I have no dog in this fight. However, I do feel a comment is warranted on this one. Don't take the know it all comment so literally, it is more sarcastic than anything. Yes you are asking for advice and help in your post. My hat is off to you for that, you are attempting to be responsible and do the job correctly.

The problem arises when you are given the advice and pointers that you have asked for, and then turn around and say repeatedly...I can fix that. Sure you can weld up some plate on the frame and make things stronger. With all the heat and modifications you could also develop some very bad weak points. The general concensus here is that the job is not worth it, and even when done it will be a potential nightmare.

As far as folks calling you an idiot....what would you call somebody that continued to bang their head against a door to open it, after being told they could just turn the knob and open it? There is some very good advice being provided about your intended project. It is ultimately up to you whether or not choose to listen to it. For all the other posters, just remember, you can't keep somebody alive against their will.

I have very little interest in tow rigs so I usually don't visit here, but when I saw the title of this thread, I had to see the train wreck....I was hoping there would be pictures, but this is better because there is a chance to stop the madness before it happens.
 
Ok to make a 1ton.

1) Completely dissasemble your truck as though you were going to do a frame off.

2) Get a hold of 2 1 ton axles (sounds liek you ahve these) or if you insist a 1ton IFS set up they are completely diff.

3) Go puchase (or build) a 1 ton frame. I would just buy one from the junk yard. You really cant modify yours. Unless you cut all the cross members out and replace the main ladder rails with apprpopriate size and thickness steel.

4) Next lets address springs and shocks. Beefing up a 1/2 ton spring pack doesnt make it a 1 ton...better get new 1 ton springs. Shocks are pretty simple, just check out advance

5) BRAKES, you should have covered this with your new axles but make sure

6) Steering, 1/2 ton steering crap aint gonna cut it, better replace all that

7) Now assemble all this and bolt your body back down...

OOOPS now you need motor and tranny upgrades..

Look Rick, we all love to give ya hell, and I can understand never wanting to sell your truck (maybe it has sentimental value, liek you got your first POA in or somen)..so keep it, but it would be CHEAPER, SAFER and all around BETTER to go buy a used tow rig. Dude you can run across older 3/4 and 1 ton gas deals for 1-2 grand all the time.

Nothing against your Z71..Im sure it is a nice truck, but it is closer (and would be easier to convert to) to a world class rock rig than a 1 ton tow rig.
 
Good points Popo, you're right I probably am taking the comments a little to literally, I just get them all the time and it gets annoying, lol.


Ok to make a 1ton.
1) Completely dissasemble your truck as though you were going to do a frame off.

*I was planning on pulling the bed, not neccesarily the cab, I have a 3" body lift so there is a good bit of room to work under there w/o having to remove the cab.

2) Get a hold of 2 1 ton axles (sounds liek you ahve these) or if you insist a 1ton IFS set up they are completely diff.

*Do'nt have axles yet but I was planning on a dually 14 bolt rear and the 2500 outers in the front allthough I would prefer to not run dually if I can but if neccesary it will be done.

3) Go puchase (or build) a 1 ton frame. I would just buy one from the junk yard. You really cant modify yours. Unless you cut all the cross members out and replace the main ladder rails with apprpopriate size and thickness steel.

*I was planning on removing the current crossmembers and making a bunch more of my own out of alot stronger material as well as boxing in alot of the frame

4) Next lets address springs and shocks. Beefing up a 1/2 ton spring pack doesnt make it a 1 ton...better get new 1 ton springs. Shocks are pretty simple, just check out advance

*True, allthought the packs I have now are pretty beef and I could always add more leafs but I was planning on getting Air bags, and yea shocks I can go grab anywhere.

5) BRAKES, you should have covered this with your new axles but make sure

*Definitly, as well as a 1 ton master cylinder

6) Steering, 1/2 ton steering crap aint gonna cut it, better replace all that

*Good point, I was thinking of adapting the 2500 steering as well.

7) Now assemble all this and bolt your body back down...
OOOPS now you need motor and tranny upgrades..

*Tranny already have a 4l80e ready to be swapped in obviously with a 32 spline 241, as far as motor upgrades I'm not gonna mention what I have in mind yet cause that will open another can of worms but I've got a plan for it.

Look Rick, we all love to give ya hell, and I can understand never wanting to sell your truck (maybe it has sentimental value, liek you got your first POA in or somen)..so keep it, but it would be CHEAPER, SAFER and all around BETTER to go buy a used tow rig. Dude you can run across older 3/4 and 1 ton gas deals for 1-2 grand all the time.
Nothing against your Z71..Im sure it is a nice truck, but it is closer (and would be easier to convert to) to a world class rock rig than a 1 ton tow rig.


*I just don't see it being all that hard to do all this stuff, and I can make the frame very strong. Saftey Is obviously a huge concern, and I want to do everything i can to get it where it needs to be, by all means shoot me ideas on exactly how to build the frame to handle the weight.
 
jrraw23 said:
by all means shoot me ideas on exactly how to build the frame to handle the weight.
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toss it and put in a 2500/3500 frame you get from the junkyard. Or better yet, buy a truck with a blown 6.5 diesel, and put your drivtrain in it. A mid 90's with a blown crappy detroit diesel is pretty cheap. THose thing are stupid expensive to rebuild/replace for the amount of power they have. I really understand sentimental value of a vehicle, but make the z71 a fun dd/offroad truck. And get a real tow rig to tow with. Hell, even find said truck with blown motor and slap in the 500 caddy motor you're talking about in other posts, then haul your z and friends trail rig to wherever you need to go.

"Good points Popo, you're right I probably am taking the comments a little to literally, I just get them all the time and it gets annoying, lol." Doesn't that tell you something isn't right with what you're doing/how you're doing it??????????????????
 
I think its not the worst thing I've ever heard of. It's all about execution. I can tell you all that my 02 2wd 5.3 1500 pulls and stops just fine, w/ a brake contoller. Obviously, that is a single car trailer.

All that said, I'm allways checking ebay for for a semi-float 6 lug 14 bolt w/ disc to put in the back.

My opinon, fwiw, is to find a 2500 4wd frame w/ axles. Put your engine and stuff in there.
 
jrraw23 said:
As far as the DMV I was just gonna call them and ask what I need to do to get my truck qualified for a larger payload truck so that it will be cool with the DMV and Insurance.
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GOOD IDEA! Go talk to the DMV and your insurance agent about what your going to do.


:popcorn:
 
Why not swap the body over to a wrecked 3/4 or 1 ton running chassis. Would make life much easier and possibly cheaper.
 
Ehhh, I just don't think it'd be all that hard to beef my exsisting frame to even stronger than a 2500 frame, I did part of it already and its not that difficult, we'll see, this is all speculation at this point but I gotta do something to be able to tow alot and I am leannin toward wantin to just mod the Z71 cause otherwise i have no idea what I'm gonna do with it.


Doesn't that tell you something isn't right with what you're doing/how you're doing it??????????????????
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No it just means all you loosers don't give any of my ideas a chance cause I'm an underage user :flipoff2: , but w/e its part of being a stupid kid, lol.

Like I said i don't know what I'm gonna do yet but we'll see.
 
braxton357 said:
Why not swap the body over to a wrecked 3/4 or 1 ton running chassis. Would make life much easier and possibly cheaper.
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I would find a lightly wrecked 1 ton with bad body and swap you stuf into it. That woud be th easyest aside fron buying one.
Oh and BTW your 1500 wil tow a light rig on a hitch trailer fine. I have done it several times and I have had no control issues.

How much do you want to tow???
 
With all that you have on the table already...why go through such a major undertaking with the DD?

I've never known what people see in z71's anyway...but they sure attract rednecks like flies on shit. :flipoff2:
Why are you so dead set on keeping it rather than trading for something far better suited for what you want?
 
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