"Heavy-Half Ton" Pickup Trucks

hex · 01-01-2003, 04:19 PM

years ago I remember that GMC and its twin, Chevy put out a 1/2 ton (1500 series) pickup that they called a "Heavy-Half". It had some beefed up suspension parts and probably larger brakes. It was very popular for a while as I recall. I'm thinking 70's and maybe 80's.

Does anyone know anything more about these hybrids?
Are such still offered?
Are there reliable tow capacity figures on line for older pickups?

I am seeking a 95-98 F250 powerstroke diesel, club or crew, but need to do more research. Was there by any chance a 1/2 ton Ford Club diesel "Heavy"?

BTW it has always galled me that if a 1500 or a 150 series = half ton who determined that a full one-ton would be a 3500 or a 350 series? Not to mention the 2500 and 250 series 3/4 tons.
Musta been cousins to the head trailer namer at Airstream.

Go figure!

Chas · 01-01-2003, 05:31 PM

They made the "Heavy Half" Chevy and GMC pickups in the late 70's. I doubt if there are many around, even then they weren't really much different than the regular half tons, 15' five lug wheels, and a semi-floating rear axle. Not to mention the old carbureted engine, days I would rather not relive. I have seen 90 models with the six lug 16" wheels, a heavier rear axle, possibly a full floating one. Ford had an F-250 for a couple of years, I think late 90's, which looked like the new body style regular duty. It had seven lug wheels, very strange. They don't make it anymore. Only came with a gas engine. Ford didn't produce the Super Duty series in 98, so you may have a hard time finding one. It was a changeover year, they kept selling the 97's during that year. I am strictly a 3/4 ton guy, have no use for 1/2 ton trucks. Go to a shop that does differential work and see how many half tons they have with the rear ends burnt out.

Chas

**Pick** · 01-01-2003, 07:23 PM

Just bite the bullet and buy a 1 ton. Not that much more expensive than a half ton. In fact, there are 1 tons out there that are cheaper than half tons!. When shopping for a truck pay more attention to the GVW and GCVW, than the stickers and emblems.

Pahaska · 01-01-2003, 07:40 PM

It is now the Silverado 1500 HD. Comes only in a crew cab configuration. Heavier transmission, bigger brakes, and the 6.0L engine. It is what I would buy to pull my International if I didn't already have my two-year old 1500 Z71.

qqq · 01-02-2003, 09:45 AM

The 1500HD also has a different stronger frame

Hartmut

**Pick** · 01-02-2003, 10:21 AM

Yeah, that 1500HD Crew Cab is a nice truck! I would love to have one of those. I do believe it is really a 3/4 ton truck with 8400 GVW. A side note: at the local GMC dealer they have some short bed 1500's with sticker prices higher than some of the 2500's on the lot!