6 Lug to 8 lug Conversion

[nubuilder]

Is there some reason for doing such a thing?

Bigger brakes for better braking.

I like the idea of better braking, but I'm afraid of the costs involved. You'd also need a 14 SF or FF for the rear along with new discs for the front to go with the hubs. Besides price, the wheels I want (and have) are 6-lug.


Are there any brake upgrade options available for the front discs on GMT400's? I'm guessing the best upgrade for the rear would be a 14-bolt SF to get the larger drums (and still keeping 6-lug).

 

[davbell22602]

Maybe you could get one of your instructors to let you do this as a project during your mechanic's training.

I could but rebuilding the 4L60E comes first. The valve body is crewing up on it. I think that famous #7 check ball is sticking on mine. Dang shifts hard and loud from 1-2 gear.

Here's a little light reading for you then.

http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3865

awesome. Do you if my bellhousing is removable from the trany on mine. I know I have the 2 piece bellhousing.

 

[PenguinLTZ]

Why not get a 3/4 ton and lift it?

Because all the used 3/4 ton gmt400 truck are pretty much wore or ragged out cause a contractor beat it all to hell and back on jobs sites. Probably would cost more to fix up a 3/4 ton 4x4 than to convert mine. Plus they over 200k on them too.

Contractors are not the only owners of 2500s.

 

[daddy]

Maybe you could get one of your instructors to let you do this as a project during your mechanic's training.

I could but rebuilding the 4L60E comes first. The valve body is crewing up on it. I think that famous #7 check ball is sticking on mine. Dang shifts hard and loud from 1-2 gear.

Here's a little light reading for you then.

http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3865

awesome. Do you if my bellhousing is removable from the trany on mine. I know I have the 2 piece bellhousing.

Yeah, looks like it from here.

 

[daddy]

Why not get a 3/4 ton and lift it?

Because all the used 3/4 ton gmt400 truck are pretty much wore or ragged out cause a contractor beat it all to hell and back on jobs sites. Probably would cost more to fix up a 3/4 ton 4x4 than to convert mine. Plus they over 200k on them too.

Contractors are not the only owners of 2500s.

I've seen more than one with a Mary Kay sticker on the back.

 

[OPGMC]

Why not get a 3/4 ton and lift it?

Because all the used 3/4 ton gmt400 truck are pretty much wore or ragged out cause a contractor beat it all to hell and back on jobs sites. Probably would cost more to fix up a 3/4 ton 4x4 than to convert mine. Plus they over 200k on them too.

Contractors are not the only owners of 2500s.

Don't even try to tell us a lie like that!!

 

[nubuilder]

Maybe you could get one of your instructors to let you do this as a project during your mechanic's training.

I could but rebuilding the 4L60E comes first. The valve body is crewing up on it. I think that famous #7 check ball is sticking on mine. Dang shifts hard and loud from 1-2 gear.

Here's a little light reading for you then.

http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3865

awesome. Do you if my bellhousing is removable from the trany on mine. I know I have the 2 piece bellhousing.

Yeah, looks like it from here.

There's always a smartass when you need one.

Well, 97 was the half-and-half year for the removable bell housing, but it is only 1 piece that comes off. Easiest way to tell is to see if there are stiffening ribs on the bell housing itself. If there are, then it is removable. If you do have the removable one, you'll need a T65 torx bit. I got mine from Matco or Snap-On for $10 I think.

Why not get a 3/4 ton and lift it?

Because all the used 3/4 ton gmt400 truck are pretty much wore or ragged out cause a contractor beat it all to hell and back on jobs sites. Probably would cost more to fix up a 3/4 ton 4x4 than to convert mine. Plus they over 200k on them too.

Contractors are not the only owners of 2500s.

They are probably the biggest market though, but I do know of a few people that have GMT400 2500's as personal vehicles. My buddy just bought a ECLB from a local university and the thing is in amazing shape except for the driver's seat with around 125k on it (has the L31 in it and 4L80E).

 

[canuckz71]

The only way on a GMT400 is wheel adaptors unless you get a 2500/3500 14 bolt rear axle with 8 lugs and go SAS up front. You can't swap 3/4 wheels hubs to a 1/2 ton and there are no 8 lug wheels hubs for a 1/2 ton.

8 lug was on the HD trucks. You'd have to change a LOT of stuff.

Only gmt400 HD was a 10 lug truck and only offered as a cab and chassis without a bed.

 

[PenguinLTZ]

Maybe you could get one of your instructors to let you do this as a project during your mechanic's training.

I could but rebuilding the 4L60E comes first. The valve body is crewing up on it. I think that famous #7 check ball is sticking on mine. Dang shifts hard and loud from 1-2 gear.

Here's a little light reading for you then.

http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3865

awesome. Do you if my bellhousing is removable from the trany on mine. I know I have the 2 piece bellhousing.

Yeah, looks like it from here.

There's always a smartass when you need one.

Well, 97 was the half-and-half year for the removable bell housing, but it is only 1 piece that comes off. Easiest way to tell is to see if there are stiffening ribs on the bell housing itself. If there are, then it is removable. If you do have the removable one, you'll need a T65 torx bit. I got mine from Matco or Snap-On for $10 I think.

Why not get a 3/4 ton and lift it?

Because all the used 3/4 ton gmt400 truck are pretty much wore or ragged out cause a contractor beat it all to hell and back on jobs sites. Probably would cost more to fix up a 3/4 ton 4x4 than to convert mine. Plus they over 200k on them too.

Contractors are not the only owners of 2500s.

They are probably the biggest market though, but I do know of a few people that have GMT400 2500's as personal vehicles. My buddy just bought a ECLB from a local university and the thing is in amazing shape except for the driver's seat with around 125k on it (has the L31 in it and 4L80E).

Thanks for the insight. My point was that you didn't have to only look at Big Joes Home Remodeling for a 2500. There are several in the private sector, and if it has to be a 400, that is where it will be found.

 

[Zembonez]

The only way on a GMT400 is wheel adaptors unless you get a 2500/3500 14 bolt rear axle with 8 lugs and go SAS up front. You can't swap 3/4 wheels hubs to a 1/2 ton and there are no 8 lug wheels hubs for a 1/2 ton.

8 lug was on the HD trucks. You'd have to change a LOT of stuff.

Only gmt400 HD was a 10 lug truck and only offered as a cab and chassis without a bed.

Well duh. I was talking about the 2500 / 3500 trucks. Sorry if they weren't called HD back then.