Questions for friend with 65 - wants to lower and go to 5 lug ??
 

A friend of mine just bought a 1965 Chevy 1/2 ton truck with a freshly rebuilt 283 with a new 4barrel carb and new dual exhaust from the manifolds back for $900.00. Quite a deal. Neither he or I know anything about the 60-66 trucks as we both 67-72 trucks.

Tony is wanting to change the rear end from 6 lug wheels to 5 lugs. Is there a axle with 5 lugs that will interchange with that rearend? He is open to replacing the whole rearend or just pulling the axle shafts to make the change.

With the purchase Ton also got a complete front suspension with disk brakes from a 1977 chevy 1/2 ton truck. Does anyone know if he could use those parts to get disks under the front of the 65?

The truck has the coil spring rear suspension. Can Tony block it up to lower the truck with minimal work and if so, where do the blocks go?

Thanks for any info on these questions.

Just got done reading the 5 Lug axle post and that gives me lots of good info regarding the axle info.

YUKON...............I TOOK THE REAREND OUT A 71 GMC PICK-UP AND PUT IN MY TRUCK..................IT WAS A BOLT IN..............EASIEST WAY TO LOWER THE REAR IS TO GET LOWERING SPRINGS WITH THE SHORTER SHOCKS........THAT DROPPED MINE ALMOST 5 INCHES..................I THINK THE NEWER FRONT SUSPENSION WILL WORK IF YOU PUT THE CRADLE IN WITH IT ...........IT'S PRETTY CLOE TO A BOLT IN.............I READ A POST A WHILE BACK THAT OUTLINE THIS SWAP...............OR YOU COULD GO WITH DROP SPINDLES FOR A 1971 UP........THEY HAVE KITS THAT ARE PRETTY REASONABLE TO DO THIS.........CHECK OUT THE ADS IN CUSTOM CLASSIC TRUCKS MAGAZINE...........YOU CAN USE THE 65 A-ARMS BUT YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE BALL JOINTS AND TIEROD ENDS TO 71 AND UP............IT'S A PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD CHANGE.............IT ALSO MADE MY TRUCK RIDE TONS BETTER AND STOP QUICKER.................HOPE THIS HELPS...........HEMMIT

My buddy picked up a 72 parts truck last night so he is set for the rear end and set for the front end. Thanks for all the info.

YUKON..............THAT'S COOL..................MAYBE HAVE HIM POST A PICTURE..........ALWAYS GLAD TO HELP................HEMMIT

I will definitely get some pics from him - I need to get him on the board so I'm not the go between ;-)

TRUE............VERY TRUE..........:-)

Yes, we need more 60-66 members.

5 lug 63-70 axles
 

when i did this swap i used a superior axle conversion axle. it was about 139.95 each they bolted in perfect and i redrilled the drums myself. the axles are about 30% stronger than stock they are inductioned hardened and have rolled splines. i just thought i would add my two bits.

im a 1960-66 truck nut. ive done a ton of different conversions in them. ill try to help out on as many posts as i can.

THANKS FOOTHILLGUY......................WE ALWAYS CAN USE MORE THAN ONE OPINION ON HOW YOU CAN DO SOMETHING.........IT'S GREAT TO HAVE DIFFERENT CHOICES ON HOW TO IMPROVE OUR YEAR OF TRUCKS.....................WELCOME TO THE BOARD AND KEEP POSTING..................I TRADED MY 6 LUG REAR AND 150.00 FOR MY 5 LUG OUT OF A 71 GMC......................HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT AND IT WAS A BOLT IN..................LATER HEMMIT