5 Lug Rearend Swap

[tismy55]

what do I need to swap a 5 lug rearend into my 64 c10 6 lug with trailing arms, when the perches are at an angle welded to the 6 lug housing tube ?

[chevy_mike]

You have a few options. If you want to swap the whole rear end, look for a '71-'72 rear end from a trailing arm setup. Those are 5 lug axles and the whole axle will bolt in but I do think they are 1.5" wider then '70 and earlier but that's not usually a problem.

Second would be to buy conversion axle shafts that fit your stock 6 lug housing but have 5 lug pattern. You can then use '71-'72 drums on your stock brake. You can buy these from Early Classic Enterprise or most axle manufactures (make sure they are USA made).

Third option is to by any later model axle, buy a set of weld on axle mounts (they are specific to the trailing arm setups), cut all the old brackets off the axle and then setup and weld the new mounts onto the new axle. It does require you to setup the pinion angle correctly and center side to side... oh and have a good welder. Not hard to do but does take more time. I did this for my '68.

Hope that helps ya out.

[Captainfab]

If you are lucky enough to find a '71-'72 12 bolt, you will have to use the '65-'72 panhard bar. You will have to put a slight bend in the panhard bar at the end that bolts to the frame bracket.

Since your truck is a '64 and assuming that the rear end is original, you will also have to change the spider gears as well as the axles. This is because the '63 and '64 12 bolts had 17 spline axles and corresponding spider gears. The new spider gears add about $100 to the cost of the conversion. However, if you do not have the equipment and skills for the cutting and welding to fit a '73+ rear end under your truck, the axle and spider gear swap may be your best option. Additionally you also need to consider whether your current gear ratio is what you want in your truck. In which case a completely different rear end with the gear ratio you want should be considered.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by tismy55

what do I need to swap a 5 lug rearend into my 64 c10 6 lug with trailing arms, when the perches are at an angle welded to the 6 lug housing tube ?

IF YOUR STOCK REAR END IS IN good condition just weld up the 6 lug holes and redrill for 5 lug......cheap and easy-----------

just click on the thumbnails to see the drum changes also.

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-GMC/i-8bbRfcq/A

[tismy55]

Keith did you remove the axle to do this , also did you use a grinder type wheel to turn down the shoulder, and what year drum did you use. Thanks

[kieth]

Originally Posted by tismy55

Keith did you remove the axle to do this , also did you use a grinder type wheel to turn down the shoulder, and what year drum did you use. Thanks

yes we had to remove the axles, they welded up the holes then redrilled for the 5x5 or whatever 5 lug pattern you need (I have both 5 x 5 and 5 x 4-3/4) for 2 different trucks. the 4-3/4" pattern opens up a lot more options in used wheels from cars. the machine shop also turned down the centers for the correct 5 x 5 drum brake drums. We simply redrilled the 5 x 5 brake drums for 4-3/4 . the series of pictures linked to previously should show how it is done. Kieth cost was $100.00 for 2 axles I provided the studs and the brake drums........

[tismy55]

Thanks for all the help I appreciate it. This is the greatest site I have ever been a part of.

[Captainfab]

Before you decide to have your original axles plugged and redrilled, make sure the wheel bearing surface is in good condition. There's no sense in putting money into having them plugged and drilled if the bearing surface is worn out.

[Clyde65]

Tismy,

You don't HAVE to remove if your doing this yourself but it would make it a lot easier and if your going to have the redrilled done by a machine shop, then you will have to remove.

I did this one my pickup bed trailer and it was about $120 for redrilled with new lugs.
I used a place in Waxahachie..

I'll get you their web site info.

Here it is

http://www.peytonperformance.com

Great people to work with

[tismy55]

did they weld up the six holes and redrill ?

[Clyde65]

Yes. unfortunately I dont have any pics. Also tell them what drums you want to run also. they will need to trim down the center part a touch.

[Clyde65]

Very good point Captn!