78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

Can someone tell if it's possible to remove my original 6lug rear end on my 66 Chevy C10 and replace with a 5 lug 78 Chevy truck rer end or will it be too much hassle? I’m wondering if I could just take one off and replace with the other or am I Biting more then I can chew?

Thank you all in advance for your replies.

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

http://www.classicperform.com/6092chevtrk.htm scroll down to Rear End Conversion Kits

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

You can swap the rear ends, just fine and easy, One thang to take in mind is the 71-87 rear is a little wider then the 63-69's. I believe it is 1.5" per side. You will have to get the correct backspacing rims.

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

The 78 rear is wider (about .750" each side) vs. a 66 housing; be aware it can impact the fit related to the bedsides if the truck is lowered.

The 78 also has leafs. If your truck has coils, you'll need the swap saddles onto the housing for the truck arms. If your truck has leafs already, you need to measure the distance between the center-line of the spring perches. If they're the same from both housings, you can just swap it. If not, you'll need to relocate the perches.

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

When converting to the later model 12 bolt, you will need to accomodate the panhard bar also. This would be easiest by locating the bracket and panhard bar from a '63 or '64 differential since it welds to the passenger side axle tube. You could also fabricate your own of that same style. I believe there is also an aftermarket kit (CPP?) for lowered trucks that mounts the panhard bar to bracket bolted to the passenger side trailing arm.

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

I would definitely go aftermarket for the Panhard bar. ECE & CPP offer kits.

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

Ok thank you all for your replies I think i might just keep the same and just convert to 5 lugs, seems easier.

thanks again

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

If there's nothing wrong w/the current rear, swapping new axles is definitely the better way to go. Replacement axles will have 44yrs less wear & are typically 30% stronger.

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

Hey Scoti, if i replace the axels’, do i have to do some kind of special machine work to it? i heard that if you replace the axel you have to take it somewhere where they get a magnet and align it or something like that, that would seem to be the easiest way to me, but I don’t know much about rear ends so i didn't know what they were talking about that is why i was trying to go a different route.

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

No 'special' machine work; just standard R&R of the axles. You'll need the new axles & possibly spider gears as new axles come 30-spline & some of these trucks had their parts swapped (you might possibly have 17-spline). You'll also need a set of brake drums from a 71-72 truck.

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

Thanks alot Scoti, that helps alot. does your truck have air bags?

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

Here is a great article on swapping out rear brakes and changing from 6 lug to 5 lug rear axles, great pics to help guide you too.

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...rop/index.html

Re: 78 chevy rear end on a 66 C10
 

Yes. Bags, blocks, bolt-in size/style c-notch, relocated shock brackets, & adj Panhard bar.