Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

I getting ready to convert the 63 to front disc and I will be going from six lug to five so the rear axles have to be changed also. The rear end in it now is a 12 bolt. All of the parts will be coming from a 73 1/2 ton (free doner truck:metal: ). I have been told that I have to swap the backing plates in order to use the five lug axles. Is this right and why? If so do I also have to swap drums, brakes etc.? I appreciate any help.

Re: Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

What I did was just change out the whole rear end..............Mine came out of a 71 GMC and was an easy swap................the only difference was the width..........It was just a little wider and not enough to notice..........trade yours for one............JMO........Hemmit

Re: Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

Ditto, but mine was from a 72 is all..

Re: Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

I’m building one for my wife so I have been asking questions and reading up. The best way seems to be to swap the whole rear end. I am currently tearing down our truck and I will be buying a 72 from a friend soon. Then I will be doing the same swap myself.

Re: Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

I really don't want to swap rear ends because the one in mine was rebuilt no more that 1,000 miles ago. New ring and pinion etc. Are the 5 lug drums smaller?

Re: Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

The later model axles are longer than your 63 axles. New axles or redrill to the 5 lug pattern and then use the later model rear brakes from the backing plates out

Re: Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

were can one get a re drill done ?

Re: Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

You should be able to find the five lug axles you need. I have a 63 and I switched the axles to five lug and the backing plates fit just fine on mine. The 72 rear end should accept 5 lug axles with no problem.

Re: Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

the 72 rearend IS five lug.71 up axles are 3/4" longer per side.currie at the bottom of the page can redrill your axles.early classics has conversion axles.

Re: Rear Axle Swap 6 To 5 Lug
 

I had a local shop order me custom axles (K&A Axles) that were in the stock lenght but setup for a 5 on 5 pattern. Then went to NAPA and got '71 drums and put them on. This was on a '68 but the idea should work as I don't think the drums were different on the 6 lugs until the change to 5 lug. About the only thing I could think that could be a problem would be if there was a bigger back drum option, then ??? My .02 worth.