67 shortbed

[robmc]

Hello, just bought a 67 shortbed - half ton 2 wheel drive - drum brakes and 6 lug of course. Can someone tell me the most cost effective way to convert to 5 lug and front disk brakes? Thanks

[WIDESIDE72]

Easiest and probably chepaest would be to find a rusted out or other wise abused 71-72 pickup or suburban and rob the parts off or find someone who did so. The whole front crossmember comes of with 8-10 bolts (i have done this but forget) 73-87 crossmember will work as well. As for rear axle do you have coil or leaf springs? if coild you can swap a 71/72 coil rear but its a little wider. Also aftermarket companies sell hybrid axles to fitthe narrower 67-70 rear but will have 5 lugs. If leaf rear find a 71/72 leaf rear (not too common) or any 73-87. Im not sure if a 73-87 leaff rear is a direct swap or not.

Several aftermarket companies sell swap kits so you have the piece of mind of having all new parts but its more expensive.

Spend some time one here andthe parts board doing some searching for more info. This seap has been civered numerous times.

[ecgate]

The most cost effective would be a 6 lug disc brake conversion kit. Just keep your 6 lug. Thats what I did on mine. It worked out good for me. What is the reason you want to change to a 5 lug? What are the advantage to the 5 lug?

[robmc]

Originally Posted by ecgate

The most cost effective would be a 6 lug disc brake conversion kit. Just keep your 6 lug. Thats what I did on mine. It worked out good for me. What is the reason you want to change to a 5 lug? What are the advantage to the 5 lug?

Hadn't thought of that. I think wheel selection might be better with 5 lug pattern. Definitely an idea. Aftermarket source for the 6 lug conversion ?

[robmc]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Easiest and probably chepaest would be to find a rusted out or other wise abused 71-72 pickup or suburban and rob the parts off or find someone who did so. The whole front crossmember comes of with 8-10 bolts (i have done this but forget) 73-87 crossmember will work as well. As for rear axle do you have coil or leaf springs? if coild you can swap a 71/72 coil rear but its a little wider. Also aftermarket companies sell hybrid axles to fitthe narrower 67-70 rear but will have 5 lugs. If leaf rear find a 71/72 leaf rear (not too common) or any 73-87. Im not sure if a 73-87 leaff rear is a direct swap or not.

Several aftermarket companies sell swap kits so you have the piece of mind of having all new parts but its more expensive.

Spend some time one here andthe parts board doing some searching for more info. This seap has been civered numerous times.

Thanks

[Codez67Chevy]

I like pictures so SHOW SOME!!!!

[ecgate]

Originally Posted by robmc

Hadn't thought of that. I think wheel selection might be better with 5 lug pattern. Definitely an idea. Aftermarket source for the 6 lug conversion ?

I bought the 6 lug conversion kit from POL (performanceonline.com). You can get them with a drop spindle or a standard spindle. There are other company's that have the kits also. As far as rims go you would be surprised as too how many are out there. At least I was. But yes in general the 5 lug is more accessible but there are plenty 6 lug if you look hard enough.

[scrapmetalart]

real axles can easily be redrilled for 5 lug then use 71-72 drums.

[PanelDeland]

71-72 axles are a couple of inches wider than the 67-70.I think the width changed in mid year 70.The crossmember swap is a good one but you'll still probably need to rebuild it so price may be pretty equal.