can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

oldblue1968chevy · 07-08-2009, 11:30 AM

my neighbor says i should just put some axles froma 72 in my 68 housing.....i thought ive heard on here you cant for some reason.....i dont wanna make him think im some smarta$$ kid and be like no u cant do it..he swears you can..hes pretty knowlegeable with fooling with trucks......without 'trying to do it then failing just to prove him wrong what can i do' lol

im trying to put a 5 lug rearend in my truk

chevy_mike · 07-08-2009, 11:51 AM

No, you can't. The axles are longer on the 5 lug rear ends, then the 6 lug one. Put the whole '72 housing in and your good to go.

BTW, the brake backing plates/shoes are the same, only the drums are different because of the lug holes. I actually bought aftermarket axles for my old '68 but had them with the 5x5 lug pattern. Then just put the 5 lug drums on and it worked perfectly.

oldblue1968chevy · 07-08-2009, 12:21 PM

what would the gear ratio for an automatic swb 1972 blue fleetside be? just a guess and cool thats what i thought

my67chevytruck · 07-08-2009, 12:25 PM

the last two ' 72 parts trucks i had had 3.73's

Skirkpat · 07-08-2009, 12:28 PM

Tell him that the 71-72 rear ends were wider to compensate for the increased track width of the 5 lug/disc brake front end...then tell him he is old and you wonder wht he is getting senile and forgetting easy stuff like this? Just kidding.....LOL

Skirkpat · 07-08-2009, 12:29 PM

Probably a 3.08 to 4.11 maybe a 2.73?

Tx Firefighter · 07-08-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

what would the gear ratio for an automatic swb 1972 blue fleetside be? just a guess and cool thats what i thought

Blue truck, that would be 3.07 or 3.73. Red trucks got the lower ratios. Corvette optioned trucks got the lowest gearing.

chevy_mike · 07-08-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Blue truck, that would be 3.07 or 3.73. Red trucks got the lower ratios. Corvette optioned trucks got the lowest gearing.

Wildstreak · 07-08-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Blue truck, that would be 3.07 or 3.73. Red trucks got the lower ratios. Corvette optioned trucks got the lowest gearing.

thats funny I was thinking the same thing

oldblue1968chevy · 07-08-2009, 02:06 PM

lol so whats my BABY BLUE truck got in it lol

no really guys lol

skirkpat,,,so THATS why my frontend is wider than my rearend....ahhhahhhh

72BlckButy · 07-08-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

skirkpat,,,so THATS why my frontend is wider than my rearend....ahhhahhhh

Yep, and when you add drop spindles, it gets even wider!

chevy_mike · 07-08-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

skirkpat,,,so THATS why my frontend is wider than my rearend....ahhhahhhh

Nope... that's because you are drinking more beer then eating food. Too much beer makes you wider in the front, too much food makes you wider in the rear.

Longhorn Man · 07-08-2009, 03:40 PM

3.07 is standard in an automatic/V8 C/10 truck (assuming the V8 part since details weren't given)
the rears got wider in mid 70.
If you install the wide axle shafts, then the drums will be pushed too far out and only be in 1/2 contact with the shoes, plus your bearings won't be rolling on the correct hardened surface on the shaft.
The shafts are 3/8 inch longer on each side.

Tycoon4u · 07-08-2009, 03:56 PM

I put 71 axles in my 68 and they worked fine. After reading on hear about the size difference I just took my old axles to the wrecking yard with me and stood them side by side with the 71 axles and they were the same. They are on and fit just fine. Maybe I just got lucky, I don't know.

oldblue1968chevy · 07-08-2009, 03:57 PM

idk if it was v8 all i konw is that it was a 72 swb BLUE auto 1/2

Longhorn Man · 07-08-2009, 04:28 PM

tycoon, was your rear ever swapped out for a 70 model year for better gearing maybe?
There is no way a 68 and a 5 lug should be the same. This has been documented on here and in the hollanders books as fact, that mid model year 70 was when the new wide rear end went in.

oldblue1968chevy · 07-08-2009, 04:51 PM

wait so if i had a 70 model 6 lug i could put 71 axles in it.......

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

wait so if i had a 70 model 6 lug i could put 71 axles in it.......

Yep.. WES

**Hart_Rod** · 07-08-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

wait so if i had a 70 model 6 lug i could put 71 axles in it.......

I got lucky on the 68 50th I'm building. It had already been converted to 5 lug in the front, but it was 6 lug in the rear. Someone must have swapped rears at one time or another and it turned out to be from a 70. I was able to swap the axles and big drum brakes from a 71 BB parts truck I bought to complete my 5 lug conversion,

.

Hoffman65burb · 07-08-2009, 08:40 PM

So would a 72 leaf spring axle bolt right up into a 69 leaf spring axle?

Longhorn Man · 07-08-2009, 09:59 PM

you mean would a 72 rear end bolt into a 69 truck?
Yes. Might be a couple small issues, like brake hoses, or hard lines not being exactly the same.... i'm not sure. But the main part... the rear end... will bolt up.

Hoffman65burb · 07-08-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

you mean would a 72 rear end bolt into a 69 truck?
Yes. Might be a couple small issues, like brake hoses, or hard lines not being exactly the same.... i'm not sure. But the main part... the rear end... will bolt up.

Yes i mean that

Thanks for the info

oldblue1968chevy · 07-08-2009, 10:48 PM

okay..

hypothetically speaking..

if i could get my paws on a 1970 model rearend...5 lug axles would bolt in?

gee maybe i should just look into an add on craigslist for a 3:73 1 wheel peel rearend for 200 bucks...

Jacfourteen · 07-09-2009, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

okay..

hypothetically speaking..

if i could get my paws on a 1970 model rearend...5 lug axles would bolt in?

gee maybe i should just look into an add on craigslist for a 3:73 1 wheel peel rearend for 200 bucks...

If you go to the trouble of swaping rear ends you might as well look for 5 lug, then you don't have to fool with it anymore...IMHO

oldblue1968chevy · 07-09-2009, 09:58 AM

200 bucks is kidna high for a 5 lug 373 1 wheeler dontchall think....

07-08-2009, 11:30 AM	#1
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. my neighbor says i should just put some axles froma 72 in my 68 housing.....i thought ive heard on here you cant for some reason.....i dont wanna make him think im some smarta$$ kid and be like no u cant do it..he swears you can..hes pretty knowlegeable with fooling with trucks......without 'trying to do it then failing just to prove him wrong what can i do' lol im trying to put a 5 lug rearend in my truk __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

07-08-2009, 11:51 AM	#2
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. No, you can't. The axles are longer on the 5 lug rear ends, then the 6 lug one. Put the whole '72 housing in and your good to go. BTW, the brake backing plates/shoes are the same, only the drums are different because of the lug holes. I actually bought aftermarket axles for my old '68 but had them with the 5x5 lug pattern. Then just put the 5 lug drums on and it worked perfectly. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

07-08-2009, 12:21 PM	#3
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. what would the gear ratio for an automatic swb 1972 blue fleetside be? just a guess and cool thats what i thought __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

07-08-2009, 12:25 PM	#4
my67chevytruck Under Construction Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Midlothian,TX (DFW) Posts: 4,555	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. the last two ' 72 parts trucks i had had 3.73's __________________ Heath subscribe to the board here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669 FAQ how to's 1956 Chevy Apache 1967 C10 SWB FleetSide (under construction) 1969 K10 SWB FleetSide (Future Build) 1972 C10 SWB Stepside (Future Build) 56 chevy truck : http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2955823/1 67 truck build: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=281357/1 69 k10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=389470

07-08-2009, 12:28 PM	#5
Skirkpat Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: K.C. Missouri Posts: 1,024	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. Tell him that the 71-72 rear ends were wider to compensate for the increased track width of the 5 lug/disc brake front end...then tell him he is old and you wonder wht he is getting senile and forgetting easy stuff like this? Just kidding.....LOL __________________ 1969 Short Stepside 1969 4 WD Suburban 1970 1 Ton Dually....Misfit oh, and a 2001 HD 2500, 8.1 Allison Shortbed 4 Door

07-08-2009, 12:29 PM	#6
Skirkpat Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: K.C. Missouri Posts: 1,024	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. Probably a 3.08 to 4.11 maybe a 2.73? __________________ 1969 Short Stepside 1969 4 WD Suburban 1970 1 Ton Dually....Misfit oh, and a 2001 HD 2500, 8.1 Allison Shortbed 4 Door

07-08-2009, 02:06 PM	#10
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. lol so whats my BABY BLUE truck got in it lol no really guys lol skirkpat,,,so THATS why my frontend is wider than my rearend....ahhhahhhh __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

07-08-2009, 03:40 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. 3.07 is standard in an automatic/V8 C/10 truck (assuming the V8 part since details weren't given) the rears got wider in mid 70. If you install the wide axle shafts, then the drums will be pushed too far out and only be in 1/2 contact with the shoes, plus your bearings won't be rolling on the correct hardened surface on the shaft. The shafts are 3/8 inch longer on each side. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 07-08-2009 at 03:41 PM.

07-08-2009, 03:56 PM	#14
Tycoon4u Tooloose Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jonesboro, IL Posts: 280	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. I put 71 axles in my 68 and they worked fine. After reading on hear about the size difference I just took my old axles to the wrecking yard with me and stood them side by side with the 71 axles and they were the same. They are on and fit just fine. Maybe I just got lucky, I don't know. __________________ A legend in my own mind!!! website: http://www.persmedequip.com/ '68 c10 (current project) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=cherry+bomb '04 silverado (better halfs) '07 wildcat 27rlwb(for sale) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/c...llinois&cat=17

07-08-2009, 03:57 PM	#15
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. idk if it was v8 all i konw is that it was a 72 swb BLUE auto 1/2 __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

07-08-2009, 04:28 PM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. tycoon, was your rear ever swapped out for a 70 model year for better gearing maybe? There is no way a 68 and a 5 lug should be the same. This has been documented on here and in the hollanders books as fact, that mid model year 70 was when the new wide rear end went in.

07-08-2009, 04:51 PM	#17
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. wait so if i had a 70 model 6 lug i could put 71 axles in it....... __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

07-08-2009, 08:40 PM	#20
Hoffman65burb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 448	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. So would a 72 leaf spring axle bolt right up into a 69 leaf spring axle? __________________ 1978 GMC Jimmy 454bbc Turbo400 NP205 3.73 gears 4inch lift 33's

07-08-2009, 09:59 PM	#21
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. you mean would a 72 rear end bolt into a 69 truck? Yes. Might be a couple small issues, like brake hoses, or hard lines not being exactly the same.... i'm not sure. But the main part... the rear end... will bolt up.

07-08-2009, 10:48 PM	#23
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. okay.. hypothetically speaking.. if i could get my paws on a 1970 model rearend...5 lug axles would bolt in? gee maybe i should just look into an add on craigslist for a 3:73 1 wheel peel rearend for 200 bucks... __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4



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07-09-2009, 09:58 AM	#25
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: can i take the AXLES outa a 72 and putem in my 68.. 200 bucks is kidna high for a 5 lug 373 1 wheeler dontchall think.... __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

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