What is the best way to swap rear to 5 lug? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jkade · 07-10-2007, 07:56 PM

I was think on putting the rear out of the blazer in the truck but I hate to start parting it out and that means I will be that much futher behind when I get in the shop. What year axles will work in the 67's rear end? I looked at some from summit but they are $120 a piece. Are the axles out of a 87 down the same? What would you do? Would I be better off to pull mine and send them and have them redrilled? Are the 5 lug and 6 lug drums the same or will the interchange? Thanks In Advance

Jim_PA · 07-10-2007, 08:21 PM

You can use 71+ axles, but you need to buy new (2 3/4") brake drums. I did it this way, because I didn't have any rear brakes to begin with.

skunkwerx · 07-10-2007, 08:45 PM

my 6 lug rearend was shorter than my 72 5 lug rearend,so the axles were diff. sizes.

jkade · 07-10-2007, 08:48 PM

I guess I am going to have to pull the axles so I will know what length to get.

**uncle** · 07-10-2007, 08:53 PM

It will be easier (cheaper) to put a 5 lug rear in unless you know a good machine shop that can redrill your axles. You can buy drums pretty reasonable. Brake hardware is the same. I have also seen a few guys make a spacer to mount between the end of the axle tube and the backing plate so that they could use the 5 lug axles. It would need to be 3/4" on each side. I'm not telling you to do this,but I have seen a few do it that way.

jkade · 07-10-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle

It will be easier (cheaper) to put a 5 lug rear in unless you know a good machine shop that can redrill your axles. You can buy drums pretty reasonable. Brake hardware is the same. I have also seen a few guys make a spacer to mount between the end of the axle tube and the backing plate so that they could use the 5 lug axles. It would need to be 3/4" on each side. I'm not telling you to do this,but I have seen a few do it that way.

I looked around on car-part and there are several around in the $150 to $200 range. That looks like it may be the best bet. Thanks Uncle for the advice.

neonlarry · 07-10-2007, 09:04 PM

They went to longer axles sometime in 70 so all 5lug axles will be too long for your rear. Your choices are aftermarket or weld and redrill yours.

jkade · 07-10-2007, 09:12 PM

I am gonna ask around town and see if I can find a complete rear. I guess it would be the simplest thing to do.

skunkwerx · 07-11-2007, 10:05 AM

i have 2 trucks and on one i had the axles re drilled,bought studs,diff.gasket,oil,drums drill,& spacers for the center hole.it cost around $200 so its cheeper to find a different rearend.

07-10-2007, 07:56 PM	#1
jkade Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AL Posts: 2,517	What is the best way to swap rear to 5 lug? I was think on putting the rear out of the blazer in the truck but I hate to start parting it out and that means I will be that much futher behind when I get in the shop. What year axles will work in the 67's rear end? I looked at some from summit but they are $120 a piece. Are the axles out of a 87 down the same? What would you do? Would I be better off to pull mine and send them and have them redrilled? Are the 5 lug and 6 lug drums the same or will the interchange? Thanks In Advance

07-10-2007, 08:21 PM	#2
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: What is the best way to swap rear to 5 lug? You can use 71+ axles, but you need to buy new (2 3/4") brake drums. I did it this way, because I didn't have any rear brakes to begin with.

07-10-2007, 08:45 PM	#3
skunkwerx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 238	Re: What is the best way to swap rear to 5 lug? my 6 lug rearend was shorter than my 72 5 lug rearend,so the axles were diff. sizes.

07-10-2007, 08:48 PM	#4
jkade Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AL Posts: 2,517	Re: What is the best way to swap rear to 5 lug? I guess I am going to have to pull the axles so I will know what length to get.

07-10-2007, 08:53 PM	#5
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,288	Re: What is the best way to swap rear to 5 lug? It will be easier (cheaper) to put a 5 lug rear in unless you know a good machine shop that can redrill your axles. You can buy drums pretty reasonable. Brake hardware is the same. I have also seen a few guys make a spacer to mount between the end of the axle tube and the backing plate so that they could use the 5 lug axles. It would need to be 3/4" on each side. I'm not telling you to do this,but I have seen a few do it that way.

07-10-2007, 09:04 PM	#7
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Re: What is the best way to swap rear to 5 lug? They went to longer axles sometime in 70 so all 5lug axles will be too long for your rear. Your choices are aftermarket or weld and redrill yours. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

07-10-2007, 09:12 PM	#8
jkade Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AL Posts: 2,517	Re: What is the best way to swap rear to 5 lug? I am gonna ask around town and see if I can find a complete rear. I guess it would be the simplest thing to do.

07-11-2007, 10:05 AM	#9
skunkwerx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 238	Re: What is the best way to swap rear to 5 lug? i have 2 trucks and on one i had the axles re drilled,bought studs,diff.gasket,oil,drums drill,& spacers for the center hole.it cost around $200 so its cheeper to find a different rearend.



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