Rear axle shaft interchange ?
 

Searched with no luck.

LMC states that the rear axle shaft length on the 5 lug 12 bolt rear ends in both the 71-72 and the 73-87 trucks is the same length and even has the same part number.

Can you convert the rear of a 67-70 to 5 lug by simply swapping the rear axle shafts and drums from a 73-87 into the original housing?

Thanks in advance.

Re: Rear axle shaft interchange ?
 

67 through mid-70 housings are narrower. To use the longer 71+ axles, you can put on the 2 3/4" brake drums to take up the extra width.

I ran mine like this for a year without problems, but have since swapped to a '71-72 housinng with a '65 posi unit and '68 gears. Thinking about it, my rear is quite a hodge-podge, but they are all the same on the inside :)

Re: Rear axle shaft interchange ?
 

No on the 67-69's 12 bolt's as they are in a narrower housing and depending on which 70 model (came in both narrow & wide housing) 12 bolt you have, if you have the wider 70 type then you can swap in the later 5 lug axle shafts. You can also now buy a brand new direct replacement 5 lug axle shaft for the 67-70 narrow housings. Have you just considered having your original 6 lug axles re-drilled for the 5 on 5" pattern, then all you would need to get would be the new drums? Cb :bowtie:

Re: Rear axle shaft interchange ?
 

I just learned somethig else. I picked up a 12 bolt differential housing at a wrecker and was going to get it sandblasted etc. and install new gears and a posi unit , that way I can use my truck till the new gears and posi are in then sell my one peeler original 3:73. Does anyone know the different lenghts of the dfferential housings cause I do not know what year truck this is from I just know its the right one cause of the spring saddles and panhard bar. One last thought from some of you guys that have done this stuff, should I reuse the original axles with the new gears or get new axles as well ?

Re: Rear axle shaft interchange ?
 

Thanks for the response guys.

I would like the hear any other tips, tricks, or, experiences that anyone has had.

Re: Rear axle shaft interchange ?
 

heres my question. i have a 71 posi rear end and would like to put it in my 69. was wondering if i could take the axle shafts out of my 69 and put it in the 71???(i wana keep it 6 lug)

Re: Rear axle shaft interchange ?
 

See post #2 and #3

Re: Rear axle shaft interchange ?
 

Anyone? I found a '70 model and would like to verify this myself.