5x5 Rear end for 63 Suburban?

[EricU]

So it is finally time to start the build of my ’63 Suburban.

Current plans call for:
Install a rebuilt Caddy 472 street torque motor/TH400 tranny
Air bags front and rear to get it to lay frame on 30” tires w/wide whites on 17” steelies
Front end swap, either GSI or Choppin Block with 5x5” disks
Rear, C-notch and other items from Dead End Garage
Add AC with an under dash old school looking Vintage Air unit
Stereo: Big
Paint and install a 1960 hood that I have for it.

My question is about the rear end. This truck has about 100k +/- (I don’t really remember as I was planning on modding the truck anyways)

* Should I rebuild the stock rear end and convert to 5-lug?
* Is there a bolt in swap? I don’t need steep gears as it will be a cruiser. The Caddy motor has a lot of torque but they don’t like to be spun up.

Thanks, Eric.

PS, if you want to comment something about keeping the truck as is, stock, or “you’re going to ruin it” etc, then well sorry and you just don’t know me.

[EricU]

The motor

[Captainfab]

If you rebuild your original 12 bolt you will have to change the spider gears to accommodate the 5 x 5 conversion axles. A '71-'72 12 bolt will be 5 x 5 already and bolt up to your trailing arms. The panhard bat mount is different and will need to be modified. All '71-'87 10 and 12 bolt truck differentials will be 1.5" wider than your original 12 bolt. A '73-'82 12 bolt or a '79-'87 10 bolt will work but you will need to cut off the original brackets and weld on trailing arm mounts and a panhard bar mount. I make trailing arm mounts if you decide to go that way.

[Corts60]

PS, if you want to comment something about keeping the truck as is, stock, or “you’re going to ruin it” etc, then well sorry and you just don’t know me.

I think the longer you are on this board, the more you will find out that almost everyone here wants to help and not mock or insult. That's just the way this board works. It's your truck, do what you want and we'll all get to enjoy the experience of it and help where we can.

Beautiful burb by the way. Makes me miss my 60.

[sstock]

That 60 hood and that color will really make the Burb pop.

[EricU]

Originally Posted by sstock

That 60 hood and that color will really make the Burb pop.

Thanks, I will be painting the hood to match the blue - once I can get back into the paint supply stores to have the paint matched!!!

Also having the turn signal inserts chromed to match.

[Short 3/4]

Originally Posted by Corts60

I think the longer you are on this board, the more you will find out that almost everyone here wants to help and not mock or insult. That's just the way this board works. It's your truck, do what you want and we'll all get to enjoy the experience of it and help where we can.

Beautiful burb by the way. Makes me miss my 60.

2nd that! Your truck, your dream, enjoy it.
Really the only sin you can commit here is to not offer up unneeded stock parts 'so other trucks may live'
Good luck with your project,
Tom

[short&wide65]

Originally Posted by EricU

PS, if you want to comment something about keeping the truck as is, stock, or “you’re going to ruin it” etc, then well sorry and you just don’t know me.

The only thing I'd like to know is more information on that 65-67 Cadillac in the background.

[EricU]

Originally Posted by short&wide65

The only thing I'd like to know is more information on that 65-67 Cadillac in the background.

'65 Caddy Deville Drop Top - all original factory survivor car - well except the LS motor, 6spd auto, suspension and a few other things on the list.

I have a pretty long build thread over at https://www.modifiedcadillac.org/for...ic,8888.0.html

[EricU]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

If you rebuild your original 12 bolt you will have to change the spider gears to accommodate the 5 x 5 conversion axles. A '71-'72 12 bolt will be 5 x 5 already and bolt up to your trailing arms. The panhard bat mount is different and will need to be modified. All '71-'87 10 and 12 bolt truck differentials will be 1.5" wider than your original 12 bolt. A '73-'82 12 bolt or a '79-'87 10 bolt will work but you will need to cut off the original brackets and weld on trailing arm mounts and a panhard bar mount. I make trailing arm mounts if you decide to go that way.

Captain! Thanks for the info! Btw I already have one of your brake booster mounts sitting in epoxy waiting for me to paint and install when I tear into this build.

Are the factory widths at the wheel mounting surfaces;
1963-Early 1970 - 62-1/8" wide
Late 1970-72 - 63-5/8" wide

And I am assuming that the 71-72 12 bolts that you are referring to are 1/2-ton truck rear ends?

[short&wide65]

Originally Posted by EricU

'65 Caddy Deville Drop Top - all original factory survivor car - well except the LS motor, 6spd auto, suspension and a few other things on the list.

I have a pretty long build thread over at https://www.modifiedcadillac.org/for...ic,8888.0.html

Thanks! I'll read through that thread as I would love an LS swapped mid 60's Caddy drop top.

Oh and your Suburban is really nice too!

[PGSigns]

I would put a 9" in it. You can get them as a bolt in. When you decide on a possible vendor for the front clip let them know the caddy has a front sump pan. It will require a custom setup as most all the off the shelf stuff assumes a rear sump.
Jimmy

[Captainfab]

Yes on the widths and yes on 1/2 tons.

Originally Posted by EricU

Captain! Thanks for the info! Btw I already have one of your brake booster mounts sitting in epoxy waiting for me to paint and install when I tear into this build.

Are the factory widths at the wheel mounting surfaces;
1963-Early 1970 - 62-1/8" wide
Late 1970-72 - 63-5/8" wide

And I am assuming that the 71-72 12 bolts that you are referring to are 1/2-ton truck rear ends?

[EricU]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

I would put a 9" in it. You can get them as a bolt in. When you decide on a possible vendor for the front clip let them know the caddy has a front sump pan. It will require a custom setup as most all the off the shelf stuff assumes a rear sump.
Jimmy

I have a rear sump Eldo pan for it, thick sheet metal that apparently are made out of gold these days.

The 9" was originally going to be my plan. I had Currie build me one for my '64 Impala ragtop, but apparently prices go up quite a bit in 15 years. The ones that I looked at online were $3.5k to $4k.

[PGSigns]

Look at Moser for the bolt in housing.
Jimmy
https://www.moserengineering.com/9-f...e-package.item

[EricU]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Look at Moser for the bolt in housing.
Jimmy
https://www.moserengineering.com/9-f...e-package.item

Thanks,

But the problem is that they are still $4k by the time you add in everything.

I'm trying to not let this build get out of hand!

[PGSigns]

I look at it this way. If I run disc or drums, a new gear, axles and a posi the price is the same no matter the rear. So the price of the upgrade really is not that high.
Jimmy

[Gargoyle]

Depending on the width a 61 to 64 fullsize Pontiac rear end might work. 5 on 5 bolt pattern and most all the internals are reproduced including the posi unit if needed. The 61-62 Pontiac rear is slightly narrower than the 63-64 rear but basically the same internally.