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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 104
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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:
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#2 | |
Registered User
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Location: DFW
Posts: 765
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Re: 5 lug conversion ??
Quote:
try picking up the parts you will need over a period of time.
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#3 |
Careful, they attack...
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Waterford, MI, USA
Posts: 1,107
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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. |
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#4 |
A splendid one to behold
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: moore, ok
Posts: 251
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maybe a little OT, but are there any 5 lug axles you can swap out versus having them drilled?
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#5 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,686
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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 |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 8,834
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Swap the complete front crossmember would be easier.............
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#7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Colwich,Kansas
Posts: 713
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wouldnt happen to be traveling through Kansas anytime soon? I have disc front ends and 5 lug axles/rearends!
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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 |
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#8 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A.
Posts: 15,320
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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.
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#9 |
Vortec in the works
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Spring,Texas
Posts: 735
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why not just convert the front to 6 lug discs, lots of good kits for that and plenty of nice wheels nowa days?
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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. |
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#10 | ||
A splendid one to behold
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: moore, ok
Posts: 251
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Quote:
Quote:
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67 swb 02 wrx |
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#11 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,686
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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.
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#12 |
Active Member
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Location: West TN (Memphis area) now. East TN (my favorite place to live).
Posts: 157
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Find a 73 to 78 chevy truck and get the complete crossmember. Should bolt right up with a little modification.
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,977
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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.
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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. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: MT
Posts: 98
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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 |
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#15 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A.
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Quote:
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#16 |
A splendid one to behold
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: moore, ok
Posts: 251
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good info, thx guys
any benefits to running a 71/72 setup vs. something 5 or 10 years newer or vice versa?
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,977
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The 71-2 stuff requires a different draglink that's potentially harder to find vs. 73-up models.
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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. |
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