Axle Shafts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BowTieMan · 11-21-2005, 10:35 PM

Ok so I was at a junk yard the other day and they had a pile of axle shafts from all these different Chevys. Would it be a good or bad idea if I just got those and put them in my rear end so I could get 5-lug? Right now I have a 70 6 lug 12 bolt. So what will I have to look for the figure out which ones will fit right?

I plan to jsut do the axles shafts and later get a 3:73 gear and posi put into my rear end have now.

Longhorn Man · 11-21-2005, 11:25 PM

if you have a late 70, you can do this.
70 was a cross over year on the 12 bolt rear. The early ones were narrower than the later ones. If you have the later one, you can use any axle out of a 5 lug 12 bolt truck rear.

BowTieMan · 11-21-2005, 11:47 PM

So where can I measure to see which I have? My truck was first registered on 11/69 if that says anything.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 11-22-2005, 07:17 AM

If you measure between the backing plates on the rear end, the narrow one will be 56" and the wider one will be 57 1/2". If your rear end measures 57 1/2" between the backing plates then the 71 (5) lug axles will work.

Although you can stick the 71 axle in a narrow 70 rear end the 3/4" length difference lets the axle bearing ride on the edge of the ground surface. (The axle shaft acts as the inner race for the axle bearing).

If you have the narrow rear end, redrilling your existing axles forthe 5 lug pattern is still an option.

Jim

crazy longhorn · 11-22-2005, 11:48 AM

Another route on the narrow axles, is to go aftermarket. I have Moser axles in my 69, & atho a little more expensive, they are new/straight/non worn pcs

The set was around $260 shipped to my door.....if you look around, you may find some others a tad cheaper(try Summit, Jegs, or some of the online differential services). best of luck,

L

BowTieMan · 11-22-2005, 05:37 PM

About how much would redrilling cost at a machine shop?

crazy longhorn · 11-22-2005, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowTieMan

About how much would redrilling cost at a machine shop?

Im not sure, but Ill bet you are looking at $160-170 in machine work(unless you have a buddy to help you)......maybe someone will chime in?

L

**raggedjim** · 11-22-2005, 08:21 PM

In addition to the redrill you would have to turn down the center protrusion that fits in the center hole of the rear drum a bit. I did this years ago, but can't remember much about it... I used new 5 bolt drums and they wouldn't fit because of the center hole.

Rg

BowTieMan · 11-22-2005, 11:25 PM

Ok so I measured it and I got the wider axle, so what year trucks can I get the shafts from?

**raggedjim** · 11-23-2005, 09:35 AM

71-72 fer sure, not so sure about the 73-84... although I think I saw a thread once saying they would fit also. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Good luck, Rg

crazy longhorn · 11-23-2005, 03:00 PM

71-82? (82 I think was the end of the 12 bolts), should all swap. to be sure, you can measure from the flange to the "button" end . I had the measurements when I ordered my axles.....but its been a while, & the old memory "aint as good as it once was"

L

Longhorn Man · 11-23-2005, 03:52 PM

Am I remembering wrong...or the axles out of the 10 bolt will fit in there too. (the 7? to 87)
However, somewhere in there they went to metric studs which would be a hidden cost...

crazy longhorn · 11-23-2005, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Am I remembering wrong...or the axles out of the 10 bolt will fit in there too. (the 7? to 87)
However, somewhere in there they went to metric studs which would be a hidden cost...

Ill bet thats right, the 10 bolt truck rears were also 30 spline on the axles! Metric studs......yup, but I dont remember just where(early 80's?)

Longhorn Man · 11-23-2005, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

Metric studs......yup, but I dont remember just where(early 80's?)

I want to say 82 or so.

crazy longhorn · 11-23-2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

I want to say 82 or so.

That sounds right to me Andy

I remember helping a bud swap a rear in a Malibu wagon.....the wagon was a 79, & it got an 82 diff. the end of the story had the guy giving me he!! for the "metric lug nuts" off my shelf. I told him......he!! , I play with OLD CHIT out here......if there is anything metric, you bruoght it here bud

crazyL

chevy283 · 11-23-2005, 05:02 PM

it cost me $120.00 to get the axles redrilled. For the drums i used 91 sub backing plates and drums.

Tx Firefighter · 11-23-2005, 10:27 PM

My 83 still had normal 1/2 inch studs.

Me no saavy metric....

67-72chevyman · 11-28-2005, 12:02 AM

What is the length of the axles of the narrow rearend?

11-21-2005, 10:35 PM	#1
BowTieMan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 747	Axle Shafts Ok so I was at a junk yard the other day and they had a pile of axle shafts from all these different Chevys. Would it be a good or bad idea if I just got those and put them in my rear end so I could get 5-lug? Right now I have a 70 6 lug 12 bolt. So what will I have to look for the figure out which ones will fit right? I plan to jsut do the axles shafts and later get a 3:73 gear and posi put into my rear end have now. __________________ "A true hotrodder wouldn't be content untill he had created a car so violent, so hairy, so totally sick that the very act of dropping the hammer would result in instant death. Anything less results in the need to go faster." - Tony DeFeo

11-21-2005, 11:25 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Axle Shafts if you have a late 70, you can do this. 70 was a cross over year on the 12 bolt rear. The early ones were narrower than the later ones. If you have the later one, you can use any axle out of a 5 lug 12 bolt truck rear.

11-21-2005, 11:47 PM	#3
BowTieMan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 747	Re: Axle Shafts So where can I measure to see which I have? My truck was first registered on 11/69 if that says anything. __________________ "A true hotrodder wouldn't be content untill he had created a car so violent, so hairy, so totally sick that the very act of dropping the hammer would result in instant death. Anything less results in the need to go faster." - Tony DeFeo

11-22-2005, 07:17 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Axle Shafts If you measure between the backing plates on the rear end, the narrow one will be 56" and the wider one will be 57 1/2". If your rear end measures 57 1/2" between the backing plates then the 71 (5) lug axles will work. Although you can stick the 71 axle in a narrow 70 rear end the 3/4" length difference lets the axle bearing ride on the edge of the ground surface. (The axle shaft acts as the inner race for the axle bearing). If you have the narrow rear end, redrilling your existing axles forthe 5 lug pattern is still an option. Jim

11-22-2005, 11:48 AM	#5
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Re: Axle Shafts Another route on the narrow axles, is to go aftermarket. I have Moser axles in my 69, & atho a little more expensive, they are new/straight/non worn pcs The set was around $260 shipped to my door.....if you look around, you may find some others a tad cheaper(try Summit, Jegs, or some of the online differential services). best of luck, L __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-22-2005, 05:37 PM	#6
BowTieMan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 747	Re: Axle Shafts About how much would redrilling cost at a machine shop? __________________ "A true hotrodder wouldn't be content untill he had created a car so violent, so hairy, so totally sick that the very act of dropping the hammer would result in instant death. Anything less results in the need to go faster." - Tony DeFeo

11-22-2005, 08:21 PM	#8
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,592	Re: Axle Shafts In addition to the redrill you would have to turn down the center protrusion that fits in the center hole of the rear drum a bit. I did this years ago, but can't remember much about it... I used new 5 bolt drums and they wouldn't fit because of the center hole. Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Last edited by raggedjim; 11-22-2005 at 08:22 PM.

11-22-2005, 11:25 PM	#9
BowTieMan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 747	Re: Axle Shafts Ok so I measured it and I got the wider axle, so what year trucks can I get the shafts from? __________________ "A true hotrodder wouldn't be content untill he had created a car so violent, so hairy, so totally sick that the very act of dropping the hammer would result in instant death. Anything less results in the need to go faster." - Tony DeFeo

11-23-2005, 09:35 AM	#10
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,592	Re: Axle Shafts 71-72 fer sure, not so sure about the 73-84... although I think I saw a thread once saying they would fit also. I'll see if I can dig it up. Good luck, Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

11-23-2005, 03:00 PM	#11
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Re: Axle Shafts 71-82? (82 I think was the end of the 12 bolts), should all swap. to be sure, you can measure from the flange to the "button" end . I had the measurements when I ordered my axles.....but its been a while, & the old memory "aint as good as it once was" L __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... Last edited by crazy longhorn; 11-23-2005 at 03:03 PM.

11-23-2005, 03:52 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Axle Shafts Am I remembering wrong...or the axles out of the 10 bolt will fit in there too. (the 7? to 87) However, somewhere in there they went to metric studs which would be a hidden cost...

11-23-2005, 05:02 PM	#16
chevy283 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: wilson oklahoma Posts: 367	Re: Axle Shafts it cost me $120.00 to get the axles redrilled. For the drums i used 91 sub backing plates and drums. __________________ 65 c10 tore apart 70 c10 305/350th

11-23-2005, 10:27 PM	#17
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Axle Shafts My 83 still had normal 1/2 inch studs. Me no saavy metric.... __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-28-2005, 12:02 AM	#18
67-72chevyman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Virginia Posts: 136	Re: Axle Shafts What is the length of the axles of the narrow rearend?

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