Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

I am planning to put disc brakes on the front of my 69 and I would like to go to 5 lug due to more wheel options. How do I change the rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying a 700$ rear disc brake kit??? (and this is probably a dumb question but im young and inexperienced when it comes to restorations :) )
thanks guys.

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

ok i just found an axle conversion kit for 400 dollars....any other cheaper options?

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

free bump i wana no too think you can swap a whole rearend out but may be rong

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

ive converted mine to disk/drum on mt 69 just took a rear end out of a 71-71 half ton and bolted it up with brakes u use the front more so the rear drums will last for a long time

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

i don't know if i got lucky or what but i found a mid 70's and the axle swapped right out less than 50 dollars

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

yes i definately need to do something like this. was the width the same as factory??? and was the bolt pattern 5 x 5?

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

yes width was same and was 5x5 but all i changed was axles. however double check cause i know sometimes the brake drums wont go on right if the axle length is different

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

On 69 and earlier (actually around mid 1970), the axle is narrower by 3/4" on each side, so an axle swap may not be the best choice. However, a direct bolt in would be a 71/72 rear end assembly. You can also use a 73-87 rear end, but you'll have to move the leaf mounts (if you have a leaf spring rear) or cut off the leaf mounts and but the mouts for the coil spring rear.

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

Moser can redrill your axles and drums for about half that.

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

thats all did is take the whole rear end assembly and mounted it and correction (71-72 half ton) sorry

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

cool so just any coil spring 71 72 bolts right into a 67-70

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

Yep, any 1/2 ton will give you what you want.

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

Just make sure to look at your entire project from start to finish. If you ever plan on running a large dia. set of wheels you might like being able to run more BS on the rears and opt to keep the 67-mid 69 rear end.

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

I did some machining to my 69 6 lug axles long ago to make them 5 bolt pattern. Now I found out one axle is shot. Anyway, I want to know if anyone has tried to use 5 bolt axles from a mid 70's chevy 1/2 ton with any success. I know one guy on this forum said he did but others disagree. If there is a difference in the axles does anyone know exactly what the differences are? I'd like some advice before I start ripping a bunch a rear ends apart.

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

I believe the axles are different. Check out the CPP catalog, they sell a conversion kit that may help explain the difference in axles.

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

How about 6 lug to 5 lug wheel adapters

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

They may physicaly go in, but I think there is a difference in where the bearings ride, and where the axles are heat treated, you also may have an issue with the shoes not riding in the right place for the drums? I am not the expert, but one here will probably chime in.

Re: Can you change rear from 6 lug to 5 lug without buying rear disc brake kit?
 

Thanks all. I just decided to have a machinist repair the axles. For some reason the farmer before me or before him ground down the ends. There was too much play in and out as a result. I had to have them built back up again and ground smooth.