Rear axle swap

[67Chinook]

I've searched the archives and nothing.
My friend has a 63 short wide bed and is looking at a 72 axle.
I say it's different but he thinks it will fit.

[raycow]

The 72 axle will sort of fit. The main differences are that it is about 1-1/2" wider than the 63 and the panhard bracket is made as part of the center casting. If it were mine, I would cut the panhard bracket off the 63 and weld it onto the 72 housing. The extra width normally isn't a problem unless you just plain don't like the look.


Ray

[Captainfab]

The '71 & '72 rear differential is a common upgrade when looking to convert to 5 lugs. Yes they are 1 1/2" wider than the '63-'early '70 differentials. If you have the means to do the welding, or have someone do it for you, switching the panhard bar mount from the '63 diff to the '72 would be a good idea. If you don't have the means to do the welding, you can use the shorter '65 and later panhard bar, but you will need to put a slight bend in it to get it to line up with the bracket on the frame.

[rain_man]

what year is this
thanks

[Captainfab]

That looks like a '65-'72 12 bolt under a '60-'62 truck.

Originally Posted by rain_man

what year is this
thanks

[apachedaddy]

Looks just like the one in my 66 but that one looks like it is missing the trailing arm perches to bolt it down.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I have a 72 rear axle in my 65.. It was a straight swap.

[rain_man]

thanks capt

[LILRED66]

With a modified Panhard bar.

[rain_man]

so if i want to swap to 5 lug in the rear i should do what?

[SIR]

don't forget to trim that extra 1-1/2" out of the inner lip of the rear wheel well cut it! don't just bend it up out of the way...I've seen that one and it doesn't work...

[Captainfab]

I would look for a '71-'87 rear end. Even if you find a '71-'72 rear end, the trailing arm mounts won't line up, as the '60-'62's are farther apart. Once you find a rear end, you'll have to cut off the factory mounts, and weld on the ones for the trailing arms in the correct location. Then I would remove the panhard bar mount from your original rear end and weld it to the new one. I believe that CPP and ECE sell a rear end swap kit with the necessary parts, if you are unable to reuse your original parts. They also sell just the trailing arm mounts if that's all you need.

Originally Posted by rain_man

so if i want to swap to 5 lug in the rear i should do what?

[67Chinook]

Thanks guys.
Turns out his truck is a 60, so it must be different than a 63.

[Captainfab]

Yes, '63 was the first year for the 12 bolt, the trailing arms were closer together, the shocks were mounted differently. And of course the completely different frame and front suspension.

Originally Posted by 67Chinook

Thanks guys.
Turns out his truck is a 60, so it must be different than a 63.

[67Chinook]

Great info guys. I'll tell him about the
GMC swap, but he wants to go 5 lug because it already is 5 lug in front.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I did a straight swap. Used the panard bar from the 65 and didn't have to trim any metal off of the wheel wells. Maybe back spacing has something to do with it. I know I ordered my wheels to fit the rear end. I think you can see the clearance in these pictures. I can't remember the back spacing but it might be 3 1/2 but I can't say for sure. The rims are 7" wide.
I am also guessing the modified panard bar is for the 63 year model. Mine is a 65.

[raycow]

I have a 60, and am still running the stock rear for the reasons Captainfab mentioned. The easiest swap for these trucks is a 60-62 GMC if you can find one. This is a bolt-in with no welding needed. It's a Dana with much better highway gearing then the Chevy rear and you can still get parts for it.

I couldn't find a GMC close to home (still looking though) so went with an overdrive tranny instead. If your friend's rear is still good and he just doesnt like the gearing, I would recommend the same to him.

Ray