Cheap way to convert my 1968 chevy C10 to 5 lug rear drum or disc

[HeavyHauler]

I have a 1968 Chevy C10 and I want to convert the 12 bolt 6 lug rear end to a 5 lug rear end either drum or disc.

Can some of you share a cheap affordable way to get this done and what year of parts I need to look for?

[TruDom]

find 5 lug axles at a junkyard.

or drill and press 5 lug pattern on your current axles.

or order https://www.earlyclassic.com/node/68

[57larry]

going with disc brakes is not cheap. try to find a cheap 5 lug rear end with drums

[Jason Banks]

You can get these axles:
https://www.summitracing.com/nv/part...6569/overview/

I would replace the bearings and seals. You will need 1/2-20 lug studs and you will also need new 5 lug brake drums from a 72.

[HeavyHauler]

If I want to use junkyard axles what years will fit my 1968 Chevy C10 with 12 bolt rear end?

[Fizoust]

I am using the Kit from Toms classics on ebay. It is complete and uses calipers from a 1985 Cadillac El Dorado with build it E Brake.

Went together smoothly.

If you change to rear disc be sure to get an appropriate Proportional valve

[KMC3420]

I have the motive gear rear 5 lug axles in my 68 rearend, they fit perfect. I have yet to log any miles but am happy so far with them. I did put new bearings, seals and c clips. I did replace the cross shaft bolt as well. If planning on going disc brakes captainfab has his kit on this board, but there is also a kit that Little shop mfg has. I will likely be going with this kit. The rotors are zinc plated for rust prevention. I haven’t done a price comparison but the captainfab kit would allow you to source your rotor/caliper of choice. You can get coated calipers/rotors from rockauto which will be specifically for rust prevention.

Little Shop Mfg

Captainfab kit

[Andy4639]

I would not do the rear disc brake kits. The money and time are not worth the end results. The truck doesn't stop any better than it does with drums. I wished many times I had gone with a big front disc brake kit up front and kept my drums in rear. The only benifit to rear disc brakes is looks good with open wheels.

From pricing the axles I would say buying new ones would be the way to go.

[MDPotter]

I would say it depends on the condition of the axle you have and what your wheel/tire plans are.

The issue with this year of trucks is that the axles are narrow. The rear track is 1.5" narrower than the front. And if you're doing a disc conversion, that increases to a 3" difference. I have a Dana 44 and can't find 5 lug axles for it, so I am going to use wheel adapters/spacers. Wheel Adapters USA makes an adapter/spacer which converts to 5x5. It is 2" thick, so you will probably have to find wheels with a fairly deep backspace. I found a 9.5" wide rear wheel with a 5.7" backspace which should work. The adapters are $115 for the pair.

But if you don't care about the track width issue, it comes down to the condition of your axle in my opinion. If you have a 12 bolt that is in good shape, I would go with the axles from Summit that Jason linked. And by good shape, I mean it is painted, brakes rebuilt, new bearings, seals, and no known issues. You never know the condition of an axle in a junkyard and it will require a lot of work to bring it up to the condition of an axle that you've already put a lot of work into.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by HeavyHauler

If I want to use junkyard axles what years will fit my 1968 Chevy C10 with 12 bolt rear end?

To tag onto this: I might do this one day as part of a rear coil conversion, but I don't have enough knowledge of axles to be able to pick one out of a junkyard. The local yards have axles laying on racks so there's not a way to tell what they came out of. So how do you identify a 12 bolt from a 69-72 truck? Ideally it would be the wider rear end with 5 lug pattern.

[Zeroman]

Check out Rockauto.com

They have a conversion axle kit with axle, bearing, studs, and seal for $99 each. Shipping is extra.

You should have the short axles 31.313".

You will also need the 5 lug drums from a 72.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...le+shaft,10439

You can also find a coupon code for 5% off on the internet.

[Jason Banks]

The rockauto one says '31.28125" Overall Length' but what is required for a 1968 is 30.5

The 1970 and later axles are longer.

Have you tried these?

OP Asked what junkyard parts could be found and the answer is NONE. There are no axles of the correct length in 5 lug.

[KMC3420]

Originally Posted by Zeroman

Check out Rockauto.com

They have a conversion axle kit with axle, bearing, studs, and seal for $99 each. Shipping is extra.

You should have the short axles 31.313".

You will also need the 5 lug drums from a 72.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...le+shaft,10439

You can also find a coupon code for 5% off on the internet.

These axles are too long for the 68 rear end. The shorter axles for a 68 are 30.5” long. Unless I have confused myself, you have the longer 31” axles listed.

I purchased these for my 68 rear end.

Motive Gear Axles

[KMC3420]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

The rockauto one says '31.28125" Overall Length' but what is required for a 1968 is 30.5

The 1970 and later axles are longer.

Have you tried these?

OP Asked what junkyard parts could be found and the answer is NONE. There are no axles of the correct length in 5 lug.

Beat me to it

[Jason Banks]

Originally Posted by KMC3420

Beat me to it

Gotcha!

----

OP does not have their location listed, but they may be able to find a local machine shop that can redrill their axles. They would usually weld up the old holes and then drill the 5 lug bolt pattern.

I was looking at old threads on the topic:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=568078

[68Gold/white]

If there were salvage 5 lug 5X5 pattern axles that fit 67-69's, I would have a hoard of them...I don't...LOL

I also agree, rear disc is NOT needed. It's more of a status deal. Front disc brakes ARE NEEDED, without doubt!!!
THose here that like their no stopping, grabbing to one side, fading, non braking when wet drum brakes. I will NOT argue with you, it's still a free country, for at least another year

Converting 6 lug axles can be done. BUT I would only do it as a way to mount 5 lug wheels on a pickup to keep it off the ground, while doing work to it, or storing it. You have to machine down the wheel pilot, 5 lug is smaller. Worst part is one of the 5 lug holes has to be in part of one of the 6 hug holes. So one hole will have to be welded up and machined flat, THEN that one 5 lug hole has to be partially drilled in that welded up area. A lot of work, and I don't like the idea of welding an axle.....

[rayce88]

I used Moser conversion axles on my 67 ... Captain fab Impala SS brackets ... Impala SS calipers and rotors ... New inline tube brake lines and bent them with a tube bender to a tab I welded on ... I'm not running a ebrake since I have a 5.3/4l60 combo ...

[davischevy]

The cheap and easy way to get 5 lugs is use an entire rear end from a 71 or 72.

[Zeroman]

Sorry, my mistake. Must have not had my coffee by then.

Either way, the conversion axles are the way to go.

Moser makes conversion axles.

[Willie Makeit]

keep an eye on these. they will accept $70 per axle ($140+$9.99 shipping = $150) on his Make Offer option.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AXLE-SHAFT-...N/282297041219

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by davischevy

The cheap and easy way to get 5 lugs is use an entire rear end from a 71 or 72.

X2!!! if you can find one!!!

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by davischevy

The cheap and easy way to get 5 lugs is use an entire rear end from a 71 or 72.

Absolutely.

I have taken the axles out and had them re-drilled for the 5x5 pattern and used the 71-72 drums, but you also have to turn down the centering hub on the axles to fit the 71-72 drums, can't remember what to turn them down to, but you just have to measure the center bore on the 71-72 drums.

I've also used a 73-up leaf spring axle (easy to find in a junk yard) and welded some of these on https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...SABEgIS2_D_BwE

You'll have to come up with something for the panhard bar, but that's pretty easy.

Now you have options! Good luck, Rg

[demian5]

Buy a complete good used 5 lug rear end from someone and bolt it right in. Thats would be the cheapest, and easiest.

[HeavyHauler]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

You can get these axles:
https://www.summitracing.com/nv/part...6569/overview/

I would replace the bearings and seals. You will need 1/2-20 lug studs and you will also need new 5 lug brake drums from a 72.

I purchased these axles and studs from Summit Racing and they arrived yesterday. I appreciate the input of everybody here!

I am going to purchase a rear disc brake kit next. I want to buy a kit that uses rotors and calipers that I can purchase locally over the counter at Autozone or Oreillys.

[dagnabbitt]

Old thread, I know, but I am wondering what vehicles to look for in in the junkyard - other than a 71-72 - that I could pull a complete rear end from to put under my 1970 C10.

Did they change in 1973?