The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Suspension

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-07-2012, 11:20 AM   #1
kidatheart
Senior Member
 
kidatheart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Assaria, Ks
Posts: 465
5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

I am new here and have my first question. I am sure it has been covered many times, but I obviously missed it. I have worked on these ole' trucks for thirty years or more, and am starting on a '68 chev. The guy I got it from had done lots of work, including swapping the front to 5-lug disc. He also gave me axles and drums to convert the rear to 5 lug also. All of my past experience has taught me this doesn't work. My question: are there any 5 lug axles out there that will work in the 6 lug differential, or, as I have in the past, do I need to swap out the complete differential? The axles I have are too long. Thanks for the help!
kidatheart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 11:32 AM   #2
67swb72klb
Registered User
 
67swb72klb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: livingston co.mi
Posts: 2,471
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

some have them re-drilled for 5 lug wheels
__________________
California 65 GTO---Texas 64 burb 283 ---Oklahoma 67 CST SWB BBW wood bed 327 2004r---New Mexico 72 k10 350 350 auto---Georga 72 short step project
67swb72klb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 11:57 AM   #3
chevyman68
Registered User
 
chevyman68's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Brandon, MS
Posts: 6
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

Hello. I am first into post thread. I really enjoy read lot of posts and i learned lot of things between 1967-1972 trucks. I just bought 68 truck not long ago and I learned abt those axles. I learned that 67 and 68 are shorter housing and axles and 69-72 are longer. What I did was to bought complete axle/housing from 1972 and swap differential with ring and pinion (if diff ratio). It works real good. Hope the info helps.
chevyman68 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 12:13 PM   #4
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,700
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

67-69 rearends are the same width.
71-72 rerends are approximately 1.5" wider. (3/4" per side)

The 1970 model trucks could be either.
Some had the narrow 67-69 width rearend.
Some had the wider 71-72 width rearend.
But all '67-'70 rearends were 6-lug.

(all 71-72 rearends were 5-lug)
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

Last edited by lolife99; 05-11-2012 at 08:07 AM.
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 09:15 AM   #5
big d's red67
Registered User
 
big d's red67's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Broken Arrow Okla.
Posts: 510
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

Yes there are 5lug conversion axles to go in your 6lug diff. I have some in my 67. You can get them from POL a vender on here or CPP or even your local rearend shop.
__________________
1967 swb 454 cid 700R4 trans SOLD

2006 Chevy Trailblazer SS
2013 Camaro RS convertible the wife's

Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=573248
big d's red67 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 05:45 PM   #6
kidatheart
Senior Member
 
kidatheart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Assaria, Ks
Posts: 465
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

Thanks! I see if I can find those vendors. I would like to be able to use the diff that is in the truck already-it is low mileage and quiet(and it is already in the truck!). Thanks again.
kidatheart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 05:51 PM   #7
kidatheart
Senior Member
 
kidatheart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Assaria, Ks
Posts: 465
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

I searched POL in the vendors, and didn't get any results. What does it stand for? thanks again.
kidatheart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 06:22 PM   #8
Clyde65
1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60
 
Clyde65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 8,546
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

performance on line

www.performanceonline.com/
__________________
Clyde65

Rebuild of Clyde
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184

69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684



support our troops!
Clyde65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 06:40 PM   #9
kidatheart
Senior Member
 
kidatheart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Assaria, Ks
Posts: 465
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

Thanks-I will check it out!
kidatheart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2012, 01:11 AM   #10
andrewmp6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 5,811
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

Or look on http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx just search 5 lug
andrewmp6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2012, 10:36 AM   #11
kidatheart
Senior Member
 
kidatheart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Assaria, Ks
Posts: 465
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

I will give that a try. Thanks!
kidatheart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2012, 12:16 PM   #12
djinva
Registered User
 
djinva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dublin VA
Posts: 168
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

The rear went out on my 71 and I found an older one laying around. I had a buddy who works at a machine shop weld up the holes and redrill them for 5 lug. I used my old drums and put in longer studs because as stated here the older rears are narrower. I used wheel spacers. I didnt spend much and it works fine.
__________________
73 C-10 Cheyenne Super 454
60 Impala LS powered
16 Camaro 2SS 6speed
12 Ultra Classic
71 Vega Wagon V8 4 speed
djinva is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2012, 01:48 PM   #13
54Caddy
GM Addicted
 
54Caddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Visalia, Ca
Posts: 2,294
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

what about using the early rear end from 60-66 do those work also how much narrower are they??
__________________
..Mac’s Garage..
73 GMC, 54 Caddy, 2010 Silverado, 68 C10 RIP DAd

My 73 GMC Truck Build Pic
2010 Silverado 4/6 on 24s

IG:MacsGarage
54Caddy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2012, 05:26 PM   #14
chevyman68
Registered User
 
chevyman68's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Brandon, MS
Posts: 6
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

How about pullapart.com? Should have place in north area. U pull part urself and costs very CHEAP!!!! Can go to that website and check inventory on 67 - 72 chevy trucks. Have one near my place and that place is my junk heaven.
__________________
68 C10 project

Chevy rules!
chevyman68 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2012, 07:50 AM   #15
SCOTI
Registered User
 
SCOTI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 22,066
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

Quote:
Originally Posted by 54Caddy View Post
what about using the early rear end from 60-66 do those work also how much narrower are they??
They're the same width from 63-70 w/the exceptions mentiond for the late 70 built units.
__________________
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.
SCOTI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2012, 08:11 AM   #16
lolife99
67-72 parts collector,…
 
lolife99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,700
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

Just remember if you convert a pre-'65 rearend to 5-lug,... you will need to swap out the spider gears to use the new 5-lug axles.
This adds to the cost of things.
http://www.performanceonline.com/196...IDER-GEAR-SET/

Might be cheaper to start with a 65-69 housing (if you want the narrow version),... or a 71-72 housing, that is 5-lug already.
__________________
Keith

Convert to disc brakes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823
lolife99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2012, 01:39 PM   #17
54Caddy
GM Addicted
 
54Caddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Visalia, Ca
Posts: 2,294
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

okay thanks for clarifing that. Now i cant hunt for an early model rear end. Im sure i have one available from a gmc 6 lug but it is leaf spring rear end. Think the mounts would be in the same location on a 73-87??
__________________
..Mac’s Garage..
73 GMC, 54 Caddy, 2010 Silverado, 68 C10 RIP DAd

My 73 GMC Truck Build Pic
2010 Silverado 4/6 on 24s

IG:MacsGarage
54Caddy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2012, 01:44 PM   #18
kidatheart
Senior Member
 
kidatheart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Assaria, Ks
Posts: 465
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

Thanks for all of the replies, help, info, and ideas!
kidatheart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2012, 09:24 PM   #19
djinva
Registered User
 
djinva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dublin VA
Posts: 168
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

The track bar is longer on the pre 67 rear, as it mounts on the axle tube. You will have to use the track bar that came with the rear.
__________________
73 C-10 Cheyenne Super 454
60 Impala LS powered
16 Camaro 2SS 6speed
12 Ultra Classic
71 Vega Wagon V8 4 speed
djinva is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2012, 09:28 AM   #20
hungarian1964
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lacrescenta, CA
Posts: 61
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

I know a lot of guys will cry about this,but I just used a set of Wheel Adapters, 6 to 5 lug, there 2" Thick and that helped me space my wheel out. Over a year now and do not have any problems. $130- plus new drums, but they needed to be changed any way.
hungarian1964 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2012, 07:55 PM   #21
michael bustamante
Senior Member
 
michael bustamante's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Albuquerque NM
Posts: 7,862
Re: 5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

if you look youll notice the disk front end tires stick out more than the rear. so converting the 67-69 axle to 5 lug isint an option for everyone. 71-72 rear end is the way to go. no a 1970 rear end might be what youre looking for. most 1970 rear ends are as long as a 71-72 but will still be 6 lug so you can just swap out your axles no problem. be sure and measure though before you buy. some 1970 rear ends are stil 56" backing plate to plate like the 67-69 rear ends
__________________
1967custom
michael bustamante is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com