OK, after countless days & nights searching...

[luis979motoring]

I have decided to start a thread on what I am trying to do. I have a 68 c10. I want to convert it to 5 lug from the factory all drum 6 lug. What are the options? I have come to this conclusion. I can drop in a 73-87 C10 front crossmember. But will there be any noticable differences? Is it going to stick out more than ths factory 68? When we get to work on the rear, what all needs to be done? I have been told that swapping the axles out of a 73-76 c10(with the Same 12 bolt 8 7/8) rear end would work and getting there drum setup as well. Also does it matter if the rear ends are coil spring or leaf spring? thanks soo much for the help fellas. This forum has been such great help for me! hopefully you guys can help me out!

[justincat]

I did mine with ece kit. The back is easy. You just have to pull the cover and pull out the keys, and slide new ones back in. Ece sells a disk brack conversion for the front that comes with 5 lug rotors, and all the parts and directions to install it. Thats just one option. Ive never put later model parts on but ive heard of alot of people doing so.

[joe b]

You can use a 71-72 front crossmember rearend

[qksilver]

you don't have to change the crossmember to use the 73- front suspension parts. The 73 up crossmember will mean you can drop the oil pan easier other thasn that there isn't much difference in the crossmember. The 73 - parts are cheaper and ride a little better, to install the 73 up crossmember you will have to drill I think one or 2 holes to mount it but the rest will bolt in.

Steve

[mrhino]

Iv done 3 conversions now. all you need is a front spindle from either 71-72 or 73-up, whatever spindle you choose get the matching ball joints, rotors and calipers and pads for it. The rear is a little more involved. You need to replace the axles however to my knowledge there are no 5 lug axle from a stock vehical that will work in your 68 12 bolt. Iv always pick up new axles from Moser engineering. then you can either get drum brake set up or convert it to disc. check out my build thread posts 7-9, and 79-82 shows front and rear

[Sammy]

Classic trucks in Sep (i believe) had a article on converting your current 6 Lug axles to 5 lug by removing the axles having them redrilled and new studs installed. If you wanted to stay with rear stock drums that would be the cheapest conversion with the less work.

[raycow]

There are no stock GM shafts that will convert your rear to 5 lug. As already pointed out, you can buy aftermarket 5 lug shafts or get your present shafts redrilled. One other option is to swap in a complete 71-72 rear end. This is a total bolt-in, but is about 1-1/2" wider than your present rear.

Ray

[luis979motoring]

Thanks so much fellas for all the great help! I think I am going to go with Mrhino's route. save me some money for now. I am just going to go search for a 71-72 rear end for now. I plan on checking one out tomorow. thanks so much fellas!

[MistaGavin]

What's the point to convert 6 lug to 5 lug?

[robzilla]

Originally Posted by raycow

There are no stock GM shafts that will convert your rear to 5 lug. As already pointed out, you can buy aftermarket 5 lug shafts or get your present shafts redrilled. One other option is to swap in a complete 71-72 rear end. This is a total bolt-in, but is about 1-1/2" wider than your present rear.

Ray

no real issues with being 1 1/2" inches wider?

[dan42]

Originally Posted by MistaGavin

What's the point to convert 6 lug to 5 lug?

There is the perception that there is more of a rim selection with 5 lug. It used to be that you had to have 5 lug to switch to front discs, but you can get 6 lug front discs now.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by robzilla

no real issues with being 1 1/2" inches wider?

No issues with stock wheels/tires. If you are lowered and have wide tires, you will have to use wheels with suitable backspacing.

Ray

[luis979motoring]

so does anyone know where i can find a 5 lug diff?

What i was thinking of doing is getting axles from a 72 chevy and swapping them into my 68 diff. will that work? does moser make axles that will swap directly into my current rear end? I have purchased all my front end stuff minus the spindles... but now i regret it since i couldve just got the big brake kits... oh well, right? thanks for the help fellas!!

[luis979motoring]

** sorry double post of this ^^

[ksbrktracer]

No you cant just put 71-72 axles in the 68 rearend ... they are too wide, Have to buy axles the right length or change the complete rear axle assembly

[luis979motoring]

oh ok, thanks for that racer!!

[brad_man_72]

I swapped in a rear end from a 76. They make all of the brackets to weld on then an adjustable panhard bar. I used a whole parts truck. Wheels, tires, steering linkage, control arms, spindles, master cylinder, pedal linkage, porportioning valve, rear end. Sold the engine and trans, and scrapped the body. Did I mention I made money on the deal...

or you can spend money and have nice, new, clean stuff to work with, that will probably work better and look nicer.

[luis979motoring]

was it coil or leaf spring?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by luis979motoring

was it coil or leaf spring?

All 73-87's are leaf spring rear, and for point of reference take a look at this chart-

[Rob68c10]

I just got done stripping a 72 about 2 hours ago. Planning on swapping the front member and rear into my 68. Easy as pie.

[luis979motoring]

jealous. lol

N2, what i was wondering, is how did he manage to put the leaf spring rear end into the coil spring rear??

[mrhino]

Originally Posted by luis979motoring

so does anyone know where i can find a 5 lug diff?

What i was thinking of doing is getting axles from a 72 chevy and swapping them into my 68 diff. will that work? does moser make axles that will swap directly into my current rear end? I have purchased all my front end stuff minus the spindles... but now i regret it since i couldve just got the big brake kits... oh well, right? thanks for the help fellas!!

Yes, Moser does make 5 lug axles that will drop right in to your 68. No you cant put 72 axels into your 68. sure you can stick damn near any rear end under your truck, there will just be some cutting welding and grinding to switch your mounting brackets over. Moser will redrill your old axles as well, there is (or was) a price list on there website. Im thinking it was $60 a axle, I was thinking of doing that once but the bearing surface on my axles were tore up pretyy good. So I opted for new ones.

[trucks72]

Hey mrhino, when you changed the spindle over were the ball joints not a different size going through the lower control arm. I was just wondering what you did there.

[mrhino]

Originally Posted by trucks72

Hey mrhino, when you changed the spindle over were the ball joints not a different size going through the lower control arm. I was just wondering what you did there.

yea you need to put in ball joints, to match whatever spindle you use. i.e. if you use a 73 and up spindle you need 73-up ball joints. I personally use the 73- up stuff just because its move available, and in most cases its cheaper as well.

[ERASER5]

Luis, just some information, 68 factory rims will not work with 6 lug disc brakes. The inside shape of the rim will hit the caliper. All chevy truck 5 lug rims will be fine, as they were made for disc brakes starting in 71.