So Ive been wondering if swapping my whole rear out for one out of 2500 would be worth the trouble and help my truck with handling the weight I tow. I know I will have to cut the original leaf spring mounts off and weld on new ones. I'm wondering if everything else will bolt right up brake lines, cables, etc. I also want to change out the front springs at the same time. I guess my biggest question is can I keep the 5 lug hubs and swap them to the 2500 rearend?

 

you are barking up the wrong tree, first off no you cannot keep the 5 lug axles those are 28 spline i believe, the 2500 are 31 or 35, not to mention the size difference, how much are you towing? you can change all of that if you wanted but then you are risking your frame. 1/2 ton frames are not as stout as the 3/4 or 1tons.

 

First a little info on your truck will help and what and how much you're towing.

Anyways to answer your question the best I can:

1. I'm doing a D60 swap now and the rear is NOT a direct bolt in as you already know about the spring mounts.
2. Only way to keep 5 lug wheels and tires is a hub adapter (not liked by most)
3. I would get a distribution hitch if not already.
4. Air bags to support the weight ($75-$100)
5. Change gearing from stock 3.55 to 4.10s.

 

I have a class 2 or 3 hitch I can't remember right now which one. I tow 3-6k lbs daily. Sometimes more. If I swap the rear how hard is it to swap to the 2500 front hubs so I can run matching wheels? Would 4.10s give any better mileage or just help take the load off the tranny?

 

Is your truck 2 or 4 wheel drive?

At 3-6K, you shouldn't be overloading your half ton...... what's the reason for the upgrade? Is the rear just sagging?

Edit: Ooops. "shouldn't", not "should"

 

You have to replace the front diff too. Maybe could use hubs from an earlier year light duty 2500 but not sure on that. And speaking of year, would you please add the info about your truck to your profile, so when you post from the phone at least some info shows.

 

With all this modifying work you're looking to do, why not just buy a 3/4 ton truck?

 

My truck is a 01 2wd. I feel like its overloaded when I put 6k on it but I'll pull that weight up to 100 miles a day. The rear does sag some. I was thinking of just swapping to some 2500 springs to stiffen it up and give it a slight lift but I hate the damn stock open rear. I can not afford to buy a 3/4 ton but I do have access to a 3/4 ton for parts.

 

Take 2 friggin minutes and add the damn info about your truck to your profile . So we all don't have to keep answering/asking the same questions over and over. Is it really that hard? Damn You want help made easier or what? I don't care if you don't like me now or care what I say, but please , help out the other members that are going to try and answer your questions in the future. Good luck bud.

 

Air springs, overload springs, weight distributing hitch, etc.