1/2 to 3/4

I don't know if anyone has asked this yet, but what would it take to convert my '97 1/2 ton Chevy over to 3/4 ton axles and differential?  The rear would be easy to swap out, but what would it take for the front?  I know some will say go buy a 3/4 ton truck, but I don't have the $$$ to go buy another truck.  I just am looking to adding a little more meat to my drivetrain.  It is only going to get a 4 inch lift.  

Honestly you should get another truck. That year 1/2 ton (88 to 99) has a much lighter frame/chassis than a 3/4 ton (until 87 on back) Plus 9.25 IFS will not fit in. I have seen a few hack jobs were they got 9.25 pig in truck with some cutting and welding but had to still use 8.25 axles and hubs so nothing really gained here. If you keep truck, you want to do a SAS on it up front(Solid Axle Swap). Just remember thought that even with these mods it never will be a 3/4 ton because of a much lighter frame. This is why I suggested that you get another truck otherwise if you limit it to 33's or so and not locker it will hold up pretty well even with stock axles even if you play hard. 35's are pushing it and you can start breaking things easier.  

That's kinda what I thought, but didn't know if the 3/4 ton front setup would fit or not.  I didn't realize there was that much difference in the frames.  35's would be the absolute biggest I would go with anyway as the truck is my daily driver.  I was just thinking of the swap to get a little more strength in the axles as it won't see too much severe off roading besides going hunting.  Thanks for the help.  

I would suggest 33's and with a good LSD or selectable locker (NOT A SPIDER GEAR REPLACEMENT LOCKER) it would be fairly bullet proof except for a axle ratio change to wake it up and reduce tranny strain from big tires. As they come from factory that year they teneded to be geared kinda tall before you even put bigger tires on them. Regearing is good tranny insurance as well as a performance booster.