12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

i have a 69 c10 thats 6 lug drums all around i bought a parts truck that has disc brakes and its 5 lug i was curious if the 5 lug axles that are in the parts trucks 12 bolt i can use in my current 12 bolt that has 6 lug axles in it? i have not done much research yet just curious. thanks for any input.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

I believe the 5-lug rearends are wider and the axles will not interchange, There are aftermarket axles that will fit and are made for this conversion, maybe you could even have your axles redrilled to 5-lug pattern ....

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

thanks, yeah i figured something was probably diff like that. I have seen the 5 lug conversion axles on like classic performance parts.com and stuff but they didn't list any dimensions or anything vs a 6 lug axle.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

67-69 are one size and later 69-72 are the wider width....not 100% sure the axles interchange, but there are 70 6 lug rears that are the same width as 71-72's with 5 lugs..

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

Do not re-drill the axles. The holes will over lap, no way around it.

Swap the whole differential from your parts truck, or, if you have a certain ratio, or posi already, get after market 5 lug axles.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

I am doing the same swap but i am going to use the complete 5 lug rear end. Is there a reason why you cant use yours?

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

personally I am gonna run the narrower axle so I can run a deeper wheel

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

Excellent plan. If you are already going to run different rims front and rear, by all means, a slightly narrower rear should work to your advantage.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

the narrower rear won't net you any more room. The space for the tire is the limiting factor.
As stated, the axle shafts will not properly swap. Some will tell you to do it with wider drums, and some will tell you there's has gone 7 years with no issues. But it is an unsafe modification.
Swap out the whole rear end.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

Oh yea.... I just took the back tires off my truck and someone before me put the longer axles in my truck. The drums only ride on about half the pad. Not very safe....

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

thanks every one its no big deal im gonna do mini tubs at some point that will net me some extra space, but the main reason i wanted to kinda skid by is i have a factory option posi unit in my truck. I have not taken the diff cover off or simply jacked up the rear diff and spun the tires on the parts truck yet. Its good to know the different widths in years thanks guys. Depending on the out come ill probably just buy a pair of after market axles. $289 for 2 new 5 lug axles isnt too bad, then ill just use 71-72 drums and i will be golden if the other unit is not a posi. btw the truck is a 68 its a roller with 6 rubber maid tubs of parts lol. its a short bed step side with a disc brakes up front, i dont trust the booster and prop valve where swapped from the disc brake truck they used so im gonna get new ones of thoose as well as a 71-72 brake pedal to booster rod.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

CPP makes a kit for our trucks ordering one monday, talk to jeff we get 10% off forbeing board members, he's a deadly guy to deal with and shipping is quickhttp://www.classicperform.com/Store/...k/6569RACK.htm

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

awesome thats who im gonna go through thanks for the info bro!

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

for sure, I'm having great luck with these guys, got cpp tranny x member, c notches, grand slam kit(5.5in frt 7in rear drop, disc brake and booster setup, front end rebuild), trailing arm rebuild kit, poly body mounts, all on order from them just on the way the dealings have gone, everyones different but I've had great luck with them abd the 10% off is nice for sure

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

I'v done 3 rear disc conversions now and honestly best way Iv found so far is Moser Engineering.. So Keep your rear end and get a set of Moser axles they have them already made for your rear end with 5 lugs, or they will custom make a set any way you want.

heres a link http://www.moserengineering.com/axle...spline-30.html

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

don't know much about CPP as far as tough goes, but when I was into rockcrawling, mosers are very very tough, may wanna go that route, I'm not going to have the HP for any problems

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

this is good info i was just going to swap axles from a 72 to a 67 rear end glad i wont waste time. new to the forum i appreciate all the tips

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

the 72 is a wider axle but that's an easy swap as well

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

All images are provided by performanceonline.com and used only as reference.

12bolt 5 lug conversion axle 1965-1969
http://www.performanceonline.com/ima...16655-1453.jpg

12bolt 5 lug conversion axle 1970
http://www.performanceonline.com/ima...18203-1454.jpg


Performaceonline has what you need if you want to make the swap & don't end up using the axles you have.

By the way, I was told that you could use the axles you have in the 67-69 "short" housing, but you just have to get the wide rear brake shoes so the will engage more than 9o% of their width to the drum.

-=scott=-

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

i just picked up a 12 bolt from a 72 seems like its in good shape. just going to swap the whole thing. not sure what the ratio is yet but that should of no real consequence i should still be able to use the guts from my 67 if i prefer. i think i can even use the wheel cylinders but not sure.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

I am another Moser satisfied customer :metal:

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

:welcoem: from Texas
You can use the guts from the 67 rear in a 72 housing but you better know what you are doing. setting up gears requires a dial indicator, at the very least you will need a new crush sleeve on the pinion, even if you are able to use the same spacers.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

I ordered mine from Early Classic Enterprises and the axles they sent were from Dutchman Motorsports. Nice looking stuff no issues, as I'm sure Moser would be the same way.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

Portland in da house! They setup a 9" for me for my '68 Camaro.

Re: 12 bolt 6 lug to 5 lug straight swap?
 

i could possibly strap a log to the control arms and fashion some stone wheels and get by but i should probably know what i doing before hand. do you think i might need a dial indicator?