My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BAGGERSOCAL · 06-02-2007, 10:27 AM

i just bought this old 72 stepside it has the five lug up front with disc breaks and the rear has 6 lugs??
could i just replace the the rear axle shaft and change it out to a 5 lug?
were do you reccomend buying these parts new Used from.
im in So Cal..

Thanks
Steve

cameeks · 06-02-2007, 10:44 AM

sounds like you have a rear end out of an older truck in it. you can replace them with the 5 lug but I would measure them to make sure they are going to be the right ones first. I think the '72 were 5 lug trucks for 1/2 tons

cdowns · 06-02-2007, 10:46 AM

you have a pre 71 rear axel/ you could get custom made 5lug axels to fit that axel but not used bolt in parts because the 5and6 lug axels were different widths// the easiest way is to find a complete 71-72rear to bolt in place

CG · 06-02-2007, 10:51 AM

Someone has swapped out your rear at one time because 72s didnt come with six lug. You need to identify the rear in there now and get with one of the board vendors that sells correct length five lug axels for swapping out the six lugs. There is a length difference so you cant just swap out a stock six lug axle for a stock five lug. I think there is a thread somewhere on the board where one of the guys actually had his six lugs converted by welding up the old holes and having the five lug pattern drilled in place.

Man Im a slow typer =)

dubs68SWB · 06-02-2007, 10:57 AM

Although it's not really the best answer, you can even have your axle holes welded up and re-drilled for 5 lug if you are on a budget. Then you just re-drill your drums. The best way is to just get new aftermarket axles. Dutchman Motorsports in Portland, OR will sell you some for about $230 a pair and they say they are about 30% stronger than stock. Then all you do is get some new drums.

CG · 06-02-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubs68SWB

Although it's not really the best answer, you can even have your axle holes welded up and re-drilled for 5 lug if you are on a budget. Then you just re-drill your drums. The best way is to just get new aftermarket axles. Dutchman Motorsports in Portland, OR will sell you some for about $230 a pair and they say they are about 30% stronger than stock. Then all you do is get some new drums.

Im sure the place you suggested is a fine place...BUT... we have board vendors that pay a fee to this site to sell their wares here. Remember it helps keep this place running. Most of our vendors also sell these same axles. No Im not a board vendor but I do believe in supporting this site...Look at all the excellent information it gives us. Even made a few friends here...

dubs68SWB · 06-02-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CG

Im sure the place you suggested is a fine place...BUT... we have board vendors that pay a fee to this site to sell their wares here. Remember it helps keep this place running. Most of our vendors also sell these same axles. No Im not a board vendor but I do believe in supporting this site...Look at all the excellent information it gives us. Even made a few friends here...

That's a great point.....I had no idea I was actually plugging that business!!!!! OOOOPS. It was just to let him know that these easy problem solving parts are available, reguardless of where you get them.

Longhorn Man · 06-02-2007, 11:28 AM

there is a chance that the rear is wide enough for 5 lug axles... if it is a 70 rear, then it's about a 30/70% chance (odds in your favor) that it is as wide as a 71/71.

cameeks · 06-02-2007, 11:45 AM

There are conversion axles that you can get that will replace the older 6 lugs to 5 lugs without hasles. Was telling him to measure to know the size that way he can call and make sure what style he has.

BAGGERSOCAL · 06-02-2007, 02:46 PM

Thanks for the info
will find what i have before i do the order.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cameeks

There are conversion axles that you can get that will replace the older 6 lugs to 5 lugs without hasles. Was telling him to measure to know the size that way he can call and make sure what style he has.

71chevylowrider · 06-02-2007, 03:13 PM

One good reason that the PO might have gone 6 lug in the back is to put a posi rearend back there, so you might want to keep it & find a way to change the axles or hubs to 5 lug, I know there are places out there that can do that kind of work.

BAGGERSOCAL · 06-02-2007, 02:42 PM

So the easy way is to buy after market axles and the drums?
thats not bad will try and pull the axles soon and find out the length.

Thanks
Steve

BAGGERSOCAL · 06-02-2007, 09:27 PM

i guess this might be the right aplication for my truck .
from one of our Venders and there close to were i live.

70RACK 1970 Complete 5-lug Rear Axle Conversion, 31-1/2", kit Photo/Info $329.00

06-02-2007, 10:27 AM	#1
BAGGERSOCAL Active Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SO CAL Posts: 226	My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug i just bought this old 72 stepside it has the five lug up front with disc breaks and the rear has 6 lugs?? could i just replace the the rear axle shaft and change it out to a 5 lug? were do you reccomend buying these parts new Used from. im in So Cal.. Thanks Steve

06-02-2007, 10:44 AM	#2
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Re: My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug sounds like you have a rear end out of an older truck in it. you can replace them with the 5 lug but I would measure them to make sure they are going to be the right ones first. I think the '72 were 5 lug trucks for 1/2 tons __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

06-02-2007, 10:46 AM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug you have a pre 71 rear axel/ you could get custom made 5lug axels to fit that axel but not used bolt in parts because the 5and6 lug axels were different widths// the easiest way is to find a complete 71-72rear to bolt in place __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

06-02-2007, 10:51 AM	#4
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,992	Re: My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug Someone has swapped out your rear at one time because 72s didnt come with six lug. You need to identify the rear in there now and get with one of the board vendors that sells correct length five lug axels for swapping out the six lugs. There is a length difference so you cant just swap out a stock six lug axle for a stock five lug. I think there is a thread somewhere on the board where one of the guys actually had his six lugs converted by welding up the old holes and having the five lug pattern drilled in place. Man Im a slow typer =) Last edited by CG; 06-02-2007 at 10:52 AM.

06-02-2007, 10:57 AM	#5
dubs68SWB Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 110	Re: My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug Although it's not really the best answer, you can even have your axle holes welded up and re-drilled for 5 lug if you are on a budget. Then you just re-drill your drums. The best way is to just get new aftermarket axles. Dutchman Motorsports in Portland, OR will sell you some for about $230 a pair and they say they are about 30% stronger than stock. Then all you do is get some new drums. __________________ '68 Chevy SWB with 460 BBC Muncie M-22 and Eaton posi rear w/ 3.73's Corvette rallys with mini derby caps Sick horsepower and torque

06-02-2007, 11:28 AM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug there is a chance that the rear is wide enough for 5 lug axles... if it is a 70 rear, then it's about a 30/70% chance (odds in your favor) that it is as wide as a 71/71.

06-02-2007, 11:45 AM	#9
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Re: My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug There are conversion axles that you can get that will replace the older 6 lugs to 5 lugs without hasles. Was telling him to measure to know the size that way he can call and make sure what style he has. __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

06-02-2007, 03:13 PM	#11
71chevylowrider Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 1,015	Re: My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug One good reason that the PO might have gone 6 lug in the back is to put a posi rearend back there, so you might want to keep it & find a way to change the axles or hubs to 5 lug, I know there are places out there that can do that kind of work.

06-02-2007, 02:42 PM	#12
BAGGERSOCAL Active Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SO CAL Posts: 226	Re: My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug So the easy way is to buy after market axles and the drums? thats not bad will try and pull the axles soon and find out the length. Thanks Steve Last edited by BAGGERSOCAL; 06-02-2007 at 02:42 PM.

06-02-2007, 09:27 PM	#13
BAGGERSOCAL Active Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SO CAL Posts: 226	Re: My 72 has six lugs in the rear can i replace the axles to a 5 lug i guess this might be the right aplication for my truck . from one of our Venders and there close to were i live. 70RACK 1970 Complete 5-lug Rear Axle Conversion, 31-1/2", kit Photo/Info $329.00

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