What year did they change to the wider rear axles? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Injected68LS1 · 12-05-2003, 03:51 PM

I curious when they changed from the shorter rear end(67-68) to the wider rear end (69?-72?)

I have the 68 stock rear end.

Is there a wider rear end that will still have the trailing arm mounts?

thanks

Longhorn Man · 12-05-2003, 03:59 PM

Some where in the 1970 model they went to a wider rear. That would still be a 6 lug. In 71, they went to 5 lug.
So a mid 70 - 72 would be the width you're looking for and maintian the coil set up.

Hotrod70C10 · 12-05-2003, 04:00 PM

I'm not sure on this but I think it is 64-69 and then 70-72. Don't quote me on that but I think 70 was the first year of the wider axle.

boraxman · 12-05-2003, 06:25 PM

Sometime during the 1970 model year..some are narrow and some are wide. Mine happened to be wide

Bram · 12-05-2003, 06:34 PM

I've wondered the same thing, because my 72 3/4 ton 4x4 had a narrow rear end.

Injected68LS1 · 12-05-2003, 06:57 PM

So is it possible to have a wider, five-lug, coil-spring rear-end?

Also, does anybody know how much wider they are from flange-to-flange?

thanks

krue · 12-05-2003, 07:45 PM

1.5 inches is what I have heard.

1971 Cheyenne · 12-05-2003, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Injected68LS1
So is it possible to have a wider, five-lug, coil-spring rear-end?

Also, does anybody know how much wider they are from flange-to-flange?

thanks

Yes, you will be looking for a 71-72 1/2 ton coil sprung rear end.

casey · 12-05-2003, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bram
I've wondered the same thing, because my 72 3/4 ton 4x4 had a narrow rear end.

I have the narrowed rear too on my 71 1/2ton 4x4, not quite sure why they did that, for tracking reasons maybe, I do think it looks silly with a nice stance on the front and the narrowed rear, I was thinking of wheel adators for the back like 1 1/4" on each side to even it out, If I remember correctly I think the back is 2 1/2" narrower over all

cableguy0 · 12-06-2003, 12:54 AM

casey do not use wheel spacers they are unsafe they put the whole load on the wheel studs instead of on the hub where it belongs.. you could try a different backspacing on the wheels instead

casey · 12-06-2003, 04:16 AM

I agree it will put alittle more load on the bearings, but I don't 4x4 or carry any load, and if you think about it what would be the differance between an adaptor moving the wheel out 1" or a back space on the rim moving the wheel out 1", then you can't rotate the tires from front to back, what do you think?

Injected68LS1 · 12-06-2003, 05:37 AM

Your right. You will impose the same load on the bearing no matter how you space out your wheel. It will change the load on your studs. Can't say if it would be bad. There's only one way to find out.

12-05-2003, 03:51 PM	#1
Injected68LS1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 389	What year did they change to the wider rear axles? I curious when they changed from the shorter rear end(67-68) to the wider rear end (69?-72?) I have the 68 stock rear end. Is there a wider rear end that will still have the trailing arm mounts? thanks __________________ 1968 Chev SWB with 1998 Corvette LS1 305hp and 320 ftlb to the wheels (stock engine!) AEM EMS and wideband O2 sensors Bowtie Overdrive's 700R4, stage 3 Baer 4 wheel discs and 20s http://iciclelanding.com/aperture?album=2049&view=album

12-05-2003, 04:00 PM	#3
Hotrod70C10 Low & Slow Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,047	I'm not sure on this but I think it is 64-69 and then 70-72. Don't quote me on that but I think 70 was the first year of the wider axle. __________________ 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside 4.5/6 drop

12-05-2003, 06:25 PM	#4
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,921	Sometime during the 1970 model year..some are narrow and some are wide. Mine happened to be wide __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

12-05-2003, 06:34 PM	#5
Bram Broke Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Plains,MO Posts: 385	I've wondered the same thing, because my 72 3/4 ton 4x4 had a narrow rear end. __________________ 72CheyenneSuper1ton4x4BigBlock

12-05-2003, 06:57 PM	#6
Injected68LS1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 389	So is it possible to have a wider, five-lug, coil-spring rear-end? Also, does anybody know how much wider they are from flange-to-flange? thanks __________________ 1968 Chev SWB with 1998 Corvette LS1 305hp and 320 ftlb to the wheels (stock engine!) AEM EMS and wideband O2 sensors Bowtie Overdrive's 700R4, stage 3 Baer 4 wheel discs and 20s http://iciclelanding.com/aperture?album=2049&view=album

12-05-2003, 03:59 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Some where in the 1970 model they went to a wider rear. That would still be a 6 lug. In 71, they went to 5 lug. So a mid 70 - 72 would be the width you're looking for and maintian the coil set up.

12-05-2003, 07:45 PM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	1.5 inches is what I have heard. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

12-06-2003, 12:54 AM	#10
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	casey do not use wheel spacers they are unsafe they put the whole load on the wheel studs instead of on the hub where it belongs.. you could try a different backspacing on the wheels instead __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-06-2003, 04:16 AM	#11
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	I agree it will put alittle more load on the bearings, but I don't 4x4 or carry any load, and if you think about it what would be the differance between an adaptor moving the wheel out 1" or a back space on the rim moving the wheel out 1", then you can't rotate the tires from front to back, what do you think?

12-06-2003, 05:37 AM	#12
Injected68LS1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 389	Your right. You will impose the same load on the bearing no matter how you space out your wheel. It will change the load on your studs. Can't say if it would be bad. There's only one way to find out. __________________ 1968 Chev SWB with 1998 Corvette LS1 305hp and 320 ftlb to the wheels (stock engine!) AEM EMS and wideband O2 sensors Bowtie Overdrive's 700R4, stage 3 Baer 4 wheel discs and 20s http://iciclelanding.com/aperture?album=2049&view=album



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