78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

degree01 · 11-19-2009, 08:18 PM

Can someone tell if it's possible to remove my original 6lug rear end on my 66 Chevy C10 and replace with a 5 lug 78 Chevy truck rer end or will it be too much hassle? I’m wondering if I could just take one off and replace with the other or am I Biting more then I can chew?

Thank you all in advance for your replies.

47guy · 11-19-2009, 10:11 PM

http://www.classicperform.com/6092chevtrk.htm scroll down to Rear End Conversion Kits

ruffrida2005 · 11-19-2009, 10:29 PM

You can swap the rear ends, just fine and easy, One thang to take in mind is the 71-87 rear is a little wider then the 63-69's. I believe it is 1.5" per side. You will have to get the correct backspacing rims.

SCOTI · 11-19-2009, 10:30 PM

The 78 rear is wider (about .750" each side) vs. a 66 housing; be aware it can impact the fit related to the bedsides if the truck is lowered.

The 78 also has leafs. If your truck has coils, you'll need the swap saddles onto the housing for the truck arms. If your truck has leafs already, you need to measure the distance between the center-line of the spring perches. If they're the same from both housings, you can just swap it. If not, you'll need to relocate the perches.

**Captainfab** · 11-20-2009, 01:33 AM

When converting to the later model 12 bolt, you will need to accomodate the panhard bar also. This would be easiest by locating the bracket and panhard bar from a '63 or '64 differential since it welds to the passenger side axle tube. You could also fabricate your own of that same style. I believe there is also an aftermarket kit (CPP?) for lowered trucks that mounts the panhard bar to bracket bolted to the passenger side trailing arm.

SCOTI · 11-20-2009, 01:36 AM

I would definitely go aftermarket for the Panhard bar. ECE & CPP offer kits.

degree01 · 11-20-2009, 11:55 AM

Ok thank you all for your replies I think i might just keep the same and just convert to 5 lugs, seems easier.

thanks again

SCOTI · 11-20-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by degree01

Ok thank you all for your replies I think i might just keep the same and just convert to 5 lugs, seems easier.

thanks again

If there's nothing wrong w/the current rear, swapping new axles is definitely the better way to go. Replacement axles will have 44yrs less wear & are typically 30% stronger.

degree01 · 11-20-2009, 02:32 PM

Hey Scoti, if i replace the axels’, do i have to do some kind of special machine work to it? i heard that if you replace the axel you have to take it somewhere where they get a magnet and align it or something like that, that would seem to be the easiest way to me, but I don’t know much about rear ends so i didn't know what they were talking about that is why i was trying to go a different route.

SCOTI · 11-20-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by degree01

Hey Scoti, if i replace the axels’, do i have to do some kind of special machine work to it? i heard that if you replace the axel you have to take it somewhere where they get a magnet and align it or something like that, that would seem to be the easiest way to me, but I don’t know much about rear ends so i didn't know what they were talking about that is why i was trying to go a different route.

No 'special' machine work; just standard R&R of the axles. You'll need the new axles & possibly spider gears as new axles come 30-spline & some of these trucks had their parts swapped (you might possibly have 17-spline). You'll also need a set of brake drums from a 71-72 truck.

degree01 · 11-20-2009, 04:35 PM

Thanks alot Scoti, that helps alot. does your truck have air bags?

jjaction1 · 11-20-2009, 05:54 PM

Here is a great article on swapping out rear brakes and changing from 6 lug to 5 lug rear axles, great pics to help guide you too.

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...rop/index.html

SCOTI · 11-20-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by degree01

Thanks alot Scoti, that helps alot. does your truck have air bags?

Yes. Bags, blocks, bolt-in size/style c-notch, relocated shock brackets, & adj Panhard bar.

11-19-2009, 08:18 PM	#1
degree01 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Garland texas Posts: 34	78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 Can someone tell if it's possible to remove my original 6lug rear end on my 66 Chevy C10 and replace with a 5 lug 78 Chevy truck rer end or will it be too much hassle? I’m wondering if I could just take one off and replace with the other or am I Biting more then I can chew? Thank you all in advance for your replies.

11-19-2009, 10:11 PM	#2
47guy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: moore oklahoma Posts: 36	Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 http://www.classicperform.com/6092chevtrk.htm scroll down to Rear End Conversion Kits

11-19-2009, 10:29 PM	#3
ruffrida2005 Member of the longbed union. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Killeen, Tx Posts: 2,158	Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 You can swap the rear ends, just fine and easy, One thang to take in mind is the 71-87 rear is a little wider then the 63-69's. I believe it is 1.5" per side. You will have to get the correct backspacing rims. __________________ Paul 88 GMC Crew Cab dually, 454/T400 64 LWB 400 HP 350/350T Bagged, under construction! Sold most of it! 92 S10 Iron Duke 5 speed, 5/7 drop for now. soon to be bagged. Sold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...59#post4637759

11-19-2009, 10:30 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,068	Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 The 78 rear is wider (about .750" each side) vs. a 66 housing; be aware it can impact the fit related to the bedsides if the truck is lowered. The 78 also has leafs. If your truck has coils, you'll need the swap saddles onto the housing for the truck arms. If your truck has leafs already, you need to measure the distance between the center-line of the spring perches. If they're the same from both housings, you can just swap it. If not, you'll need to relocate the perches. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

11-20-2009, 01:33 AM	#5
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 When converting to the later model 12 bolt, you will need to accomodate the panhard bar also. This would be easiest by locating the bracket and panhard bar from a '63 or '64 differential since it welds to the passenger side axle tube. You could also fabricate your own of that same style. I believe there is also an aftermarket kit (CPP?) for lowered trucks that mounts the panhard bar to bracket bolted to the passenger side trailing arm. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

11-20-2009, 01:36 AM	#6
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,068	Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 I would definitely go aftermarket for the Panhard bar. ECE & CPP offer kits. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

11-20-2009, 11:55 AM	#7
degree01 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Garland texas Posts: 34	Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 Ok thank you all for your replies I think i might just keep the same and just convert to 5 lugs, seems easier. thanks again

11-20-2009, 02:32 PM	#9
degree01 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Garland texas Posts: 34	Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 Hey Scoti, if i replace the axels’, do i have to do some kind of special machine work to it? i heard that if you replace the axel you have to take it somewhere where they get a magnet and align it or something like that, that would seem to be the easiest way to me, but I don’t know much about rear ends so i didn't know what they were talking about that is why i was trying to go a different route. Last edited by degree01; 11-20-2009 at 02:34 PM.

11-20-2009, 04:35 PM	#11
degree01 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Garland texas Posts: 34	Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 Thanks alot Scoti, that helps alot. does your truck have air bags?

11-20-2009, 05:54 PM	#12
jjaction1 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 32	Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10 Here is a great article on swapping out rear brakes and changing from 6 lug to 5 lug rear axles, great pics to help guide you too. http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...rop/index.html __________________ JEFF My 1966 C10 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=371688 For all you picture lovers: http://s653.photobucket.com/albums/uu256/jjaction1/

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