[CC69Rat]

Heres the actual lengths, and why Im thinking the rear end housing swap is not the way you want to go.

67-really early 70 model trucks have a narrower rear end housing. If you measure from the inside of one backing plate to the other, the early ones are 55.5" and the late ones are 57"

The 56.5" measurement tells me its likely the later rear end housing youd be swapping in. Sounds right for the 70-72 model years. 1970 model trucks can have either. I have a 70 gmc with the late housing in it. For the most part in early 70 they just used what they had at that time.

If you have an early housing now and want to change to 5 lug, finding original gm axles is going to be near impossible. In fact I dont recall ever seeing them. Most early axles were 6 lug.

If you find the axles available, measure from the mounting surface of the axle to the end of the splines. The early ones are 30.5" long. Late ones are 31 5/16.

Now, consider your wheels.. say you have the early rear end housing now and you change to the late housing.. you will be adding. 75" in width on either side. Your wheels and tires will stick out. 75" more on either side. If its the truck in your avatar now were talking about it looks pretty stuffed now. Do you have. 75" clearance on the fenders/ bed sides?

Personally Id get a set of early 5 lug axles from Moser, new bearlings and seals and get it wrapped up like that. The narrower housings are more desirable for lowered ride heights. You can just fit more tire under the truck if you like the'tucked' look. Hope this helps.
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