rear end swap
 

Ok getting close to swap. I just sold the Eaton HO52.
Now I want to go 5 Lug, and I have donor part ( off a 1973)
I also have a donor part from a 71 ,6 lug.
I want to know if I can use my 71 housing with my 73 axles.
(Both units are 3:08)
This would make it a direct bolt on. No Fab no welding.
What do you think?

Re: rear end swap
 

71 12 bolt will be 5 lug not 6.

You will need to have the same length axles and spline count as well

You can just have the 6 lug axles redrilled.

Re: rear end swap
 

Thanks
I HAVE TO CHECK THE 6 LUG

Re: rear end swap
 

'71 4x4 12 bolt will be 6 lug. Not sure if the 4x4 axle is wider or not, but '73+ it is.

Re: rear end swap
 

I don't see why not if the housings are the same width and splines the same. I also have a 71 with 6 stud axles. Apparently they changed mid-year from 6 stud to 5 stud. Aside from stud count, what are the differences between the 71 and 73? I would have thought they might be the same. If the bearing surfaces are good maybe don't throw out those 6 stud axles. Somebody would love to have them.

Re: rear end swap
 

The difference is in 71 they had coil springs and in 73 went to leaf springs. 71 72 rear diff is bolt in and the 73 is not

Re: rear end swap
 

A 12 bolt from a '71-'72 C10 will be 63.5" wide and have the 5 x 5" wheel stud pattern. Also most will be setup for the trailing arm suspension. A 12 bolt from a '71-'72 K10 should also be 63.5" wide, setup for leaf springs, but the wheel stud pattern will be 6 x 5.5". The '73-'82 C10 12 bolts will also be 53.5" wide and have the 5 x 5" wheel stud pattern, but will be setup for leaf springs.

Re: rear end swap
 

I was looking at the 1973 axle seat and it is almost the same length as the 1971. I was wondering if welding a longer plate with holes ( u bolts) and the 73 axle seat can work?

Re: rear end swap
 

The '73 is setup for leaf springs and I doubt that the leaf spring pads are the correct center to center spacing. Why not do it right and cut those off and weld on the trailing arm mounts? Your are also going to have to weld on a panhard bar mount.

Re: rear end swap
 

Yeah you are correct. Do it right the first time
Thank you you are very helpful

Re: rear end swap
 

Out of curiosity, Why did you decide to get rid of the eaton?

Re: rear end swap
 

I wanted to go 5 lug.
The rear end is funding the build.

Re: rear end swap
 

They make Bolt on pan nard bar mounts but I could only find them for the Ford 9".

Re: rear end swap
 

Any of the log panhard bars us a bracket the goes on the trailing arm so no need to weld one on. The less heat you pt on the housing the better.
Jimmy