rear axle compatibility/exchange - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ginter · 06-10-2009, 10:57 AM

I want to swap a 5 bolt axle into my 67 C20. What year axles will directly bolt in? There are later trucks in the local pull-N-save that can be had pretty cheaply and that's the main factor here.

smoked68 · 06-10-2009, 12:00 PM

I got a 5 bolt from a 72, it went right in. I am in the process of getting a 9" Ford rear and putting it in with a Detroit locker. At least thats the plan this week. Good luck...

wHATANERD · 06-10-2009, 02:12 PM

67-69 have a narrower axle than 70-72's. I believe that to use the 71-72 axles in a 67 rearend you would have to have some kind of spacer machined as they are longer. If you can get the entire rearend cheap enough the 71-72 rear end is a direct bolt on to the 67-69 frame. I'm not sure about later years, but I'm sure someone else will chime in on this also.

Longhorn Man · 06-10-2009, 03:55 PM

so far, everyone has failed to ask the most important question...
leaf, or coil rear?

ginter · 06-11-2009, 11:11 PM

This one is coil. It's probably a forgone conclusion that only a 67-72 coil rear housing will work eh? I don't think Chevy used coils from 73 on did they? That occurred to me after I asked the question and as I was walkiing around the junkyard.

BAGNDRAGIT · 06-12-2009, 12:02 AM

after 72 it was leaf only. i would try and search for a 71-72 rearend.

in the same process myself...

ginter · 06-12-2009, 07:47 AM

I'm coming to that same conclusion.

Would it be easy enough to convert it to leaf spring rear?

**Hart_Rod** · 06-12-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginter

I'm coming to that same conclusion.

Would it be easy enough to convert it to leaf spring rear?

Easier than going the other way (leaf to coil). You'll just need the leaf spring perches and shock mounts off of a leaf spring truck. I've got a complete rolling long bed chassis with leaf springs and disc in the front for sale if you are interested. Check the link, http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=345629.

ginter · 06-13-2009, 11:22 AM

I'm considering some options this weekend. We'll see how that goes...

mvfd70 · 06-13-2009, 12:14 PM

Actually you can put trailing arm perches on just about any axle with 3 inch tubes. Early Classic sells them. Just go to www.earlyclassic.com and do a seach for Rear Axle Saddles. I'm sure other places sell them. I just remember seeing them on ECE. Plans are to put a later model axle in my truck and using these

**Hart_Rod** · 06-13-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvfd70

Actually you can put trailing arm perches on just about any axle with 3 inch tubes. Early Classic sells them. Just go to www.earlyclassic.com and do a seach for Rear Axle Saddles. I'm sure other places sell them. I just remember seeing them on ECE. Plans are to put a later model axle in my truck and using these

You would also have to switch to a track bar that bolts to the trailing arm since the leaf spring rear won't have the attachment point.

mvfd70 · 06-13-2009, 02:03 PM

Good point. I almost forgot about that.

So as far as direct bolt in 71-72 is about it. I don't think it's too hard to make a others fit though.

capev86 · 06-14-2009, 03:00 PM

i would love to put the 11.5" fulll floater in my 72 suburban 2wd 3/4 ton that has a stock 10.5 full floater rear. 2000+ hd gm trucks have it and also have rear disc brakes. and you can get them with limited slip too. would just have to weld on spring perches to mount up the trailing arms and and also the mounting point for the track bar. an added benefit is the newer trucks have a slightly wider track width = more stablility and helps get the rear wheels out to match the front as most of trucks have a slightly narrower rear track than the front. but that would cost a lot of money so i will just be swapping the 4.56 gear out for a 3.73 with lsd.

06-10-2009, 10:57 AM	#1
ginter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver CO. Posts: 156	rear axle compatibility/exchange I want to swap a 5 bolt axle into my 67 C20. What year axles will directly bolt in? There are later trucks in the local pull-N-save that can be had pretty cheaply and that's the main factor here. __________________ Mike 67 C20 Camper Special - Rust Free! 1970 Porsche 914/6 Last edited by ginter; 06-10-2009 at 10:57 AM.

06-10-2009, 12:00 PM	#2
smoked68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 421	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange I got a 5 bolt from a 72, it went right in. I am in the process of getting a 9" Ford rear and putting it in with a Detroit locker. At least thats the plan this week. Good luck... __________________ 1968 chevy shortbed, Dark Shadow Gray 4 bolt 383 Stroker,Weiand Super Charger, disc brakes, 9 inch, 391 gear, 20" Eagle wheels, muncie 4 speed/ Hurst shifter, 4/7 drop, Hedman midlengths, 3 inch exhaust w/ 2 chamber flows. 1966 Mustang with 306 roller, c-4, 9 inch Detroit locker rear. 1965 Fastback Mustang w/347 stroker, top loader 4spd, 9 inch detroit locker. 1966 Mustang coup, 306 roller, c4, 9 inch. 65 Cobra, 427, T6oo, 9inch, of course. First gen Hayabusa, airbox mod and running 2 exhaust cams.. Zoom Zoom Zoom

06-10-2009, 02:12 PM	#3
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange 67-69 have a narrower axle than 70-72's. I believe that to use the 71-72 axles in a 67 rearend you would have to have some kind of spacer machined as they are longer. If you can get the entire rearend cheap enough the 71-72 rear end is a direct bolt on to the 67-69 frame. I'm not sure about later years, but I'm sure someone else will chime in on this also. __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges Last edited by wHATANERD; 06-10-2009 at 02:14 PM.

06-10-2009, 03:55 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange so far, everyone has failed to ask the most important question... leaf, or coil rear?

06-11-2009, 11:11 PM	#5
ginter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver CO. Posts: 156	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange This one is coil. It's probably a forgone conclusion that only a 67-72 coil rear housing will work eh? I don't think Chevy used coils from 73 on did they? That occurred to me after I asked the question and as I was walkiing around the junkyard. __________________ Mike 67 C20 Camper Special - Rust Free! 1970 Porsche 914/6

06-12-2009, 12:02 AM	#6
BAGNDRAGIT Just Not Low Enough! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 525	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange after 72 it was leaf only. i would try and search for a 71-72 rearend. in the same process myself... __________________ NEED ELECTRICAL HELP? ASK ME! 67-72 Full Wiring Diagrams Lots Of Info, TAKE A LOOK 1967 Chevy C-10 Shortbox Bagged 327 4spd Previous: 1971 Chevy C-10 Short Sep I6 Auto (Traded) 1973 Chevy C-20 THE REDNECK BATTLE TRUCK 2001 Chevy Silverado 2Dr 5.3L Shortbox. R.I.P. 1969 Volkswagen Bug This is my first meeting, I have a horsepower problem.

06-12-2009, 07:47 AM	#7
ginter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver CO. Posts: 156	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange I'm coming to that same conclusion. Would it be easy enough to convert it to leaf spring rear? __________________ Mike 67 C20 Camper Special - Rust Free! 1970 Porsche 914/6

06-13-2009, 11:22 AM	#9
ginter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver CO. Posts: 156	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange I'm considering some options this weekend. We'll see how that goes... __________________ Mike 67 C20 Camper Special - Rust Free! 1970 Porsche 914/6

06-13-2009, 12:14 PM	#10
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange Actually you can put trailing arm perches on just about any axle with 3 inch tubes. Early Classic sells them. Just go to www.earlyclassic.com and do a seach for Rear Axle Saddles. I'm sure other places sell them. I just remember seeing them on ECE. Plans are to put a later model axle in my truck and using these __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

06-13-2009, 02:03 PM	#12
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange Good point. I almost forgot about that. So as far as direct bolt in 71-72 is about it. I don't think it's too hard to make a others fit though. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

06-14-2009, 03:00 PM	#13
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	Re: rear axle compatibility/exchange i would love to put the 11.5" fulll floater in my 72 suburban 2wd 3/4 ton that has a stock 10.5 full floater rear. 2000+ hd gm trucks have it and also have rear disc brakes. and you can get them with limited slip too. would just have to weld on spring perches to mount up the trailing arms and and also the mounting point for the track bar. an added benefit is the newer trucks have a slightly wider track width = more stablility and helps get the rear wheels out to match the front as most of trucks have a slightly narrower rear track than the front. but that would cost a lot of money so i will just be swapping the 4.56 gear out for a 3.73 with lsd.



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