1971 rear end housing length vs. 1968

[darren irvine]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if my 1971 rear end is the same length as a 1967 or 1968 rear end? Someone told me that a 1967 rear end is 1.5" narrower than a 1971housing, is this true?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by darren irvine

Hey guys,

I was wondering if my 1971 rear end is the same length as a 1967 or 1968 rear end? Someone told me that a 1967 rear end is 1.5" narrower than a 1971housing, is this true?

Yes.

The earlier 60's thru mid-year 70-model rear housings are narrower than the late 70 thru 72-model housing. The 1.5" sounds about right.

Basically, if it has 6-lug axles (from the factory), it's likely the narrow housing; if it came w/5-lug axles (factory), it's the wider housing.

[MrShelley]

I just measured this the other day to help out a board member in this thread.

My '68 rear (the one you helped load in my truck SCOTI) is 62" from wheel to wheel. My '72 rear measures 63.5" wheel to wheel...exactly 1.5" wider.

[canadianredneck]

so does that mean that you cant swap 5 bolt axles out of a 71 and put them in a 68 6 bolt factory rearend?

[impala_631]

kool