5 lug conversion ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

duke68ss · 01-04-2004, 03:20 PM

All you guys that have converted over to 5 lug from a 6 lug... how was it for you guys? I want to convert really bad but like all things time and money is an issue.. Any cheap but quality kits? I have no clue what I'm about to get into so help me out guys! :burnout:

Rooster's 67 · 01-04-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by duke68ss
.. Any cheap but quality kits?

Uh.....those two things dont go together.....at all

try picking up the parts you will need over a period of time.

jmanz69 · 01-04-2004, 04:00 PM

Like rooster said. Get the parts over time. You can usually find someone with a set of disk spindles for sale. Then get all new brake parts. With the rear, you could just have your 6 lug rear redrilled at a machine shop or fabrication shop. Would be cheaper than getting a new rear end. Take your time, it's gonna get $$ if you're not careful. You could buy a kit from any of the vendors here, I hear they are all really good. Most even use your existing parts.

Good luck.

Quagmire · 01-08-2004, 10:23 PM

maybe a little OT, but are there any 5 lug axles you can swap out versus having them drilled?

*1972C10* · 01-08-2004, 10:46 PM

Depending On what year The Rearend is Some 5 Lugs Will Go In I did one not sure of the year i think the rear was out of a 69 or 70 they went right in ..

A friend of mine and myself did a 5 lug conversion put 72 spindles on his 68 and we were goin to swap axles but his was shorter by half an inch of so If getting 6 lugs redilled is pricy you could always get some 5 lugs cut down and resplined

Blue Beard · 01-08-2004, 11:36 PM

Swap the complete front crossmember would be easier.............

gregsplace · 01-08-2004, 11:53 PM

wouldnt happen to be traveling through Kansas anytime soon? I have disc front ends and 5 lug axles/rearends!

*Randy70C-10* · 01-08-2004, 11:58 PM

The cheapest way to do it is to buy a complete rust-bucket beat up non-running truck with a 5 lug suspension and swap everything over.

TEXAS 68 · 01-09-2004, 12:08 AM

why not just convert the front to 6 lug discs, lots of good kits for that and plenty of nice wheels nowa days?

Quagmire · 01-09-2004, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gregsplace
wouldnt happen to be traveling through Kansas anytime soon? I have disc front ends and 5 lug axles/rearends!

how much?

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy70C-10
The cheapest way to do it is to buy a complete rust-bucket beat up non-running truck with a 5 lug suspension and swap everything over.

cheapest or the easiest?

*1972C10* · 01-09-2004, 05:48 AM

O yeah the brake line on drums are in the rear and there in the front on disc my friend used the stock drum line and screwed it into the disc caliper it doesnt have a banjo fittin but it still works fine no problems. and the upper ball joints are different you will have to get 71/72 ball joints for the top the bottom is the same. other than that its a breeze putting in 7172 spindles.

bigfredtn · 01-09-2004, 07:04 AM

Find a 73 to 78 chevy truck and get the complete crossmember. Should bolt right up with a little modification.

SCOTI · 01-09-2004, 09:33 AM

The fronts are like everyone has listed. Find a 71-2 or the more available 73-up front spindle assembly (shouldn't break the bank here).

The rears have several options:
1) Swap rear ends. IMO thats going to cost some $, + the downtime to complete the swap.
2) Re-drill your current axles to 5-lug. That's going to also be $, + downtime for the machining (can't drive the truck w/o axles), + time for R&R.
3) Replacement axles/drums. More $$, but if you analyze the cost, it's an easy choice. Replacement axles can be ordered from several sources & have the benefits of having zero wear @ the bearing races (common prob w/30yr old factory axles) + they typically are around 30% stronger than factory axles. You get to drive the truck while waiting for your axles to arrive & the only downtime is the R&R.

'Cheap' doesn't always mean less cost when looking @ all variables. Time spent rounding up parts, machining, & R&R should all be considered.

swdobbs · 01-09-2004, 11:38 AM

I purchased a 1983 2wd front end from a rearended truck, crossmember a-arms ps box etc... It cost me $200 (could have done better) and then had a local hot rodder install it for another $200. It beat any kit I came across, came with better springs,the ball joints had been replaced and got me ps.

The chassis shop had to drill 2 new holes, and slot 2 others, he was sceptical but it was only 4 hours total.

swdobbs

*Randy70C-10* · 01-09-2004, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quagmire

how much?

cheapest or the easiest?

I can buy trucks all day long for a less than $200. Try buying those parts for less than that.

Quagmire · 01-09-2004, 03:06 PM

good info, thx guys

any benefits to running a 71/72 setup vs. something 5 or 10 years newer or vice versa?

SCOTI · 01-09-2004, 03:41 PM

The 71-2 stuff requires a different draglink that's potentially harder to find vs. 73-up models.

01-04-2004, 03:20 PM	#1
duke68ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 104	5 lug conversion ?? All you guys that have converted over to 5 lug from a 6 lug... how was it for you guys? I want to convert really bad but like all things time and money is an issue.. Any cheap but quality kits? I have no clue what I'm about to get into so help me out guys! :burnout:

01-08-2004, 10:23 PM	#4
Quagmire A splendid one to behold Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: moore, ok Posts: 251	maybe a little OT, but are there any 5 lug axles you can swap out versus having them drilled? __________________ 67 swb 02 wrx

01-08-2004, 11:36 PM	#6
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Swap the complete front crossmember would be easier............. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

01-08-2004, 11:53 PM	#7
gregsplace Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Colwich,Kansas Posts: 713	wouldnt happen to be traveling through Kansas anytime soon? I have disc front ends and 5 lug axles/rearends! __________________ 67 3/4 4x4 402,a/t,flat bed 98 GMC Sierra swb daily driver 87 burb parting out. 68 1/2 chevy, 350/350, 71 gmc frame, kid's beater 69 1ton 396-4sp, dump 69 swb stepside 396/400th current frameup 67 swb 454/400th rebuilding now, oldest boy just rolled it 99,HD, Road King Classic Colwich Ks

01-09-2004, 12:08 AM	#9
TEXAS 68 Vortec in the works Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Spring,Texas Posts: 735	why not just convert the front to 6 lug discs, lots of good kits for that and plenty of nice wheels nowa days? __________________ 68? It's all figured out untill you get it apart. Is it Sunday yet??? 68 Project 68 SWB frame off/98 Vortec with stock FI/power everything. 95 ECLB 2500 with 346,000 on the clock(the original HD) 99 Lesabre-wifes ride 08 Crew Cab LTZ-All Mine 89 SWB 5/7 drop-Son's first ride. Last edited by TEXAS 68; 01-09-2004 at 08:05 AM.

01-04-2004, 04:00 PM	#3
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	Like rooster said. Get the parts over time. You can usually find someone with a set of disk spindles for sale. Then get all new brake parts. With the rear, you could just have your 6 lug rear redrilled at a machine shop or fabrication shop. Would be cheaper than getting a new rear end. Take your time, it's gonna get $$ if you're not careful. You could buy a kit from any of the vendors here, I hear they are all really good. Most even use your existing parts. Good luck.

01-08-2004, 10:46 PM	#5
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Depending On what year The Rearend is Some 5 Lugs Will Go In I did one not sure of the year i think the rear was out of a 69 or 70 they went right in .. A friend of mine and myself did a 5 lug conversion put 72 spindles on his 68 and we were goin to swap axles but his was shorter by half an inch of so If getting 6 lugs redilled is pricy you could always get some 5 lugs cut down and resplined

01-08-2004, 11:58 PM	#8
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	The cheapest way to do it is to buy a complete rust-bucket beat up non-running truck with a 5 lug suspension and swap everything over.

01-09-2004, 05:48 AM	#11
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	O yeah the brake line on drums are in the rear and there in the front on disc my friend used the stock drum line and screwed it into the disc caliper it doesnt have a banjo fittin but it still works fine no problems. and the upper ball joints are different you will have to get 71/72 ball joints for the top the bottom is the same. other than that its a breeze putting in 7172 spindles.

01-09-2004, 07:04 AM	#12
bigfredtn Active Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: West TN (Memphis area) now. East TN (my favorite place to live). Posts: 157	Find a 73 to 78 chevy truck and get the complete crossmember. Should bolt right up with a little modification. __________________ BigFredTN 70 chevy stepside 350 with some goodies inside, turbo 400. 69 Chevy long wheel base. Dad bought new in 1970 62 Chevy Impala 98 GMC Yukon 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback I know its a Ford.

01-09-2004, 09:33 AM	#13
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	The fronts are like everyone has listed. Find a 71-2 or the more available 73-up front spindle assembly (shouldn't break the bank here). The rears have several options: 1) Swap rear ends. IMO thats going to cost some $, + the downtime to complete the swap. 2) Re-drill your current axles to 5-lug. That's going to also be $, + downtime for the machining (can't drive the truck w/o axles), + time for R&R. 3) Replacement axles/drums. More $$, but if you analyze the cost, it's an easy choice. Replacement axles can be ordered from several sources & have the benefits of having zero wear @ the bearing races (common prob w/30yr old factory axles) + they typically are around 30% stronger than factory axles. You get to drive the truck while waiting for your axles to arrive & the only downtime is the R&R. 'Cheap' doesn't always mean less cost when looking @ all variables. Time spent rounding up parts, machining, & R&R should all be considered. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.* Last edited by SCOTI; 01-09-2004 at 09:35 AM.

01-09-2004, 11:38 AM	#14
swdobbs Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MT Posts: 98	5 lug swap I purchased a 1983 2wd front end from a rearended truck, crossmember a-arms ps box etc... It cost me $200 (could have done better) and then had a local hot rodder install it for another $200. It beat any kit I came across, came with better springs,the ball joints had been replaced and got me ps. The chassis shop had to drill 2 new holes, and slot 2 others, he was sceptical but it was only 4 hours total. swdobbs

01-09-2004, 03:06 PM	#16
Quagmire A splendid one to behold Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: moore, ok Posts: 251	good info, thx guys any benefits to running a 71/72 setup vs. something 5 or 10 years newer or vice versa? __________________ 67 swb 02 wrx

01-09-2004, 03:41 PM	#17
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	The 71-2 stuff requires a different draglink that's potentially harder to find vs. 73-up models. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.