axle shaft question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kgmunro · 09-18-2010, 11:56 PM

Are there any stock junkyard axle shafts that will bolt into my 66 suburban rear diff? I want to go from 6 bolt to 5 bolt.

**Captainfab** · 09-19-2010, 12:40 AM

I believe I answered this question in your other thread asking basically the same question

kgmunro · 09-19-2010, 06:09 AM

Actually...no. What I want to know is if any axles will fit the existing diff to make it a 5 bolt pattern. I got a private message telling me what will work, so its ok captain...thanks .

fleetsidelarry · 09-19-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgmunro

Actually...no. What I want to know is if any axles will fit the existing diff to make it a 5 bolt pattern. I got a private message telling me what will work, so its ok captain...thanks .

IF the pm said that '71-'72 axles fit, it is misleading. they will work but they won't be right, the bearing surface will move inboard on the newer axles and the newer brake drums will hide the mismatch of the narrower '66 brake shoes. It's been done, there was a thread in the past about this.

If it's some other "secret", there are probably hundreds of us who would truly appreciate being enlightened-please share the info

fleetsidelarry · 09-19-2010, 08:59 AM

double posted-don't know what happened

raycow · 09-19-2010, 03:20 PM

If overall width is a concern, have a machine shop redrill your 65 shafts to the 5 lug pattern. This should cost less than buying the aftermarket 5 lug shafts.

Ray

kgmunro · 09-19-2010, 03:23 PM

Well that was my original idea but they won't do that here because they say it will take the integrity away from the axle hub area

kgmunro · 09-19-2010, 08:59 AM

ya you are right about the 71-72 axles thing... I guess the easiest and least expensive for me is to take the rear diff from my 85 and mount it in.. But has anyone done this on a suburban body and been able to use the stock 8 inch gm truck rally wheels? The fact that the diff is 1.5 inch wider has me nervous...is there lots of room back there for the extra width and wider rim??

fleetsidelarry · 09-19-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgmunro

ya you are right about the 71-72 axles thing... I guess the easiest and least expensive for me is to take the rear diff from my 85 and mount it in.. But has anyone done this on a suburban body and been able to use the stock 8 inch gm truck rally wheels? The fact that the diff is 1.5 inch wider has me nervous...is there lots of room back there for the extra width and wider rim??

you should be OK with standard backspacing (which I think is 3.25"). Do you have a current 6-lug rim you can measure for width and backspacing? and can you measure your current clearance to the fender lip? it shouldn't matter that it is a suburban, it should be the same as a fleetside. remember, we're only wider by 3/4" each side

sorry about the earlier double post, I must have pushed a wrong button

09-18-2010, 11:56 PM	#1
kgmunro Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brandon Manitoba Canada Posts: 342	axle shaft question Are there any stock junkyard axle shafts that will bolt into my 66 suburban rear diff? I want to go from 6 bolt to 5 bolt.

09-19-2010, 12:40 AM	#2
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,250	Re: axle shaft question I believe I answered this question in your other thread asking basically the same question __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE Last edited by Captainfab; 09-19-2010 at 12:42 AM.

09-19-2010, 06:09 AM	#3
kgmunro Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brandon Manitoba Canada Posts: 342	Re: axle shaft question Actually...no. What I want to know is if any axles will fit the existing diff to make it a 5 bolt pattern. I got a private message telling me what will work, so its ok captain...thanks .

09-19-2010, 08:59 AM	#5
fleetsidelarry Senior Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: shellman bluff, GA Posts: 1,411	Re: axle shaft question double posted-don't know what happened __________________ Larry Last edited by fleetsidelarry; 09-19-2010 at 05:04 PM. Reason: double post

09-19-2010, 03:20 PM	#6
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: axle shaft question If overall width is a concern, have a machine shop redrill your 65 shafts to the 5 lug pattern. This should cost less than buying the aftermarket 5 lug shafts. Ray

09-19-2010, 03:23 PM	#7
kgmunro Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brandon Manitoba Canada Posts: 342	Re: axle shaft question Well that was my original idea but they won't do that here because they say it will take the integrity away from the axle hub area

09-19-2010, 08:59 AM	#8
kgmunro Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brandon Manitoba Canada Posts: 342	Re: axle shaft question ya you are right about the 71-72 axles thing... I guess the easiest and least expensive for me is to take the rear diff from my 85 and mount it in.. But has anyone done this on a suburban body and been able to use the stock 8 inch gm truck rally wheels? The fact that the diff is 1.5 inch wider has me nervous...is there lots of room back there for the extra width and wider rim??



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.