The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-18-2018, 11:13 PM   #1
mdelosrey
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Daly City
Posts: 28
SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

Hello,

Currently building a 71 C10 LWB 5-lug with leafs and have a chance to purchase a SWB 6-lug coil spring frame with running gear.

My question is will I be able to swap my current 5-lug axle/spindles into the SWB and retain the coil spring/trailing arm setup?

I will be picking this up early next week.

Thanks in advance!
mdelosrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2018, 11:20 PM   #2
Grumpy old man
Senior Member
 
Grumpy old man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

no, the 71 axles are wider. it's easier to swap front complete cross members if the 5 lug is in better shape .Disc ?

Last edited by Grumpy old man; 06-18-2018 at 11:27 PM.
Grumpy old man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2018, 11:30 PM   #3
mdelosrey
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Daly City
Posts: 28
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy old man View Post
no, the 71 axles are wider. it's easier to swap front complete cross members if the 5 lug is in better shape .Disc ?

Yes sir, I currently have discs in the front.

Real reason I'd like to keep the 5-lug is because of the 5-lug Rally's on it.
mdelosrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 12:43 PM   #4
GASoline71
"I ain't nobody, dork."
 
GASoline71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,971
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

What GOM said. I have a 1969 housing in my 1972 GMC, but I had to get 5 lug conversion axles made by Moser to slide into the narrower 1969 housing.

Gary
__________________
'cuz chicks dig scars...

My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread.

The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck

Quote:
Originally Posted by LONGHAIR View Post
I would never rebuild a 305.
Quote:
Originally Posted by prostreetC-10 View Post
I love using vacuum gauges as part of the carb tuning process. I hook the gauge to the inside of my garbage can and leave it there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv D View Post
Remember Murphys 2nd law of mechanical relationships... "OPPOSING COMPONENTS ATTEMPTING TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE, AT THE SAME TIME, GENERALLY END UP OCCUPYING ADJOINING SPACE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN"
Quote:
Originally Posted by cableguy0 View Post
Its cheaper to listen to advice given when you ask for help than it is to ignore everyone and wait for carnage.
GASoline71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 01:07 PM   #5
mdelosrey
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Daly City
Posts: 28
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

Quote:
Originally Posted by GASoline71 View Post
What GOM said. I have a 1969 housing in my 1972 GMC, but I had to get 5 lug conversion axles made by Moser to slide into the narrower 1969 housing.

Gary
Would you happen to remember what the set of axles cost and are the conversion axles on their website?

Another option I was thinking about was to weld on trailing arm pads on the 5-lug leaf axle assembly from the 71. Found these on a quick google search.

mdelosrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 02:07 PM   #6
GASoline71
"I ain't nobody, dork."
 
GASoline71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,971
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

I ordered them from Summit Racing and got free shipping. $260 bucks shipped to my door. Here is the link:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...gmt5/overview/

Gary
__________________
'cuz chicks dig scars...

My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread.

The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck

Quote:
Originally Posted by LONGHAIR View Post
I would never rebuild a 305.
Quote:
Originally Posted by prostreetC-10 View Post
I love using vacuum gauges as part of the carb tuning process. I hook the gauge to the inside of my garbage can and leave it there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv D View Post
Remember Murphys 2nd law of mechanical relationships... "OPPOSING COMPONENTS ATTEMPTING TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE, AT THE SAME TIME, GENERALLY END UP OCCUPYING ADJOINING SPACE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN"
Quote:
Originally Posted by cableguy0 View Post
Its cheaper to listen to advice given when you ask for help than it is to ignore everyone and wait for carnage.
GASoline71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 07:32 PM   #7
mdelosrey
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Daly City
Posts: 28
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

Quote:
Originally Posted by GASoline71 View Post
I ordered them from Summit Racing and got free shipping. $260 bucks shipped to my door. Here is the link:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...gmt5/overview/

Gary
Thank you for that link!
mdelosrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 09:22 PM   #8
lowrollin70gmc
Too many projects
 
lowrollin70gmc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fargo, ND land of the flat hills
Posts: 1,147
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

The axles may be the same width if the axle is a late 1970. In 70, there were 2 widths of axles:

Early: 62 3/8” WMS, same as 67-69
Late: 63 3/4” WMS, same as 71-up

It would help to put a tape measure on the axle in the SWB before ordering parts, as there is a small chance that your 5 lug axles will fit if it’s the late 1970 axle.
__________________
Andrew
84 GMC C1500 SWB 6.2 Diesel/700R4/3.42 "Grandpa's odd duck"
70 GMC C1500 LWB My first truck: shaved, bagged, and more: the lowrollin70gmc
68 K20 Suburban 12V Cummins/NV5600/NP205/D60/11.5AAM 3.73s "Dakota Cadillac"
63 Chevy II Nova Coupe 250 I6/T56/4.56s "Economy car"
53 Willys Wagon 350/NV4500/BW4401/HP D44/9inch “Winter Wagon”
30 Model A 16 Focus ST
lowrollin70gmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 10:36 PM   #9
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,851
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

First thing we need to know is what year is the SWB chassis. If it's a '70 with a '70 rear then you can swap the 5-lug axles in straight up. '70 was the first year for the wider housing and last year for 6-lug
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 11:02 PM   #10
mdelosrey
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Daly City
Posts: 28
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

Quote:
Originally Posted by lowrollin70gmc View Post
The axles may be the same width if the axle is a late 1970. In 70, there were 2 widths of axles:

Early: 62 3/8” WMS, same as 67-69
Late: 63 3/4” WMS, same as 71-up

It would help to put a tape measure on the axle in the SWB before ordering parts, as there is a small chance that your 5 lug axles will fit if it’s the late 1970 axle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by special-K View Post
First thing we need to know is what year is the SWB chassis. If it's a '70 with a '70 rear then you can swap the 5-lug axles in straight up. '70 was the first year for the wider housing and last year for 6-lug

Thanks for the invaluable information. I will definitely take measurements and get the production date info as I will be picking it up on the 26th of this month. Again, thank you for all the info as I like to brainstorm my options.
mdelosrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 11:33 PM   #11
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,851
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

Good luck and now that I'm thinking about it, Welcome to the site!

Not sure if it's been mentioned or if you'd consider going this route, but if it's the narrower housing you can buy 5-lug axles for that length
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2018, 12:02 AM   #12
mdelosrey
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Daly City
Posts: 28
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

Quote:
Originally Posted by special-K View Post
Good luck and now that I'm thinking about it, Welcome to the site!

Not sure if it's been mentioned or if you'd consider going this route, but if it's the narrower housing you can buy 5-lug axles for that length
Thanks! This site was referred to me by another friend who has a 71 SWB himself.

Gasoline71 sent a link for the Moser 5-lug conversion axles, good to know there are off the shelf conversion axles.
mdelosrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2018, 05:33 PM   #13
68 TT
Still plays with trucks
 
68 TT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

You also need to add a panhard bar mount bracket.

An Eaton HO52 / HO72 housing from a 3/4-ton has a nice design bracket that is welded to the axle tube that is easy to copy and install onto another rear end for a trailing arm conversion.

This is by far the least expensive way to go if your existing brakes and axles are in good shape. If you have worn bearing surfaces on your 50-year old axles (likely) and / or your brake drums are shot then the replacement axle method may be a more cost effective option. Inspect your parts closely before you commit to one way or the other.

One upside to the conversion mounting pad option is that you can set your pinion angle and U-joint angles properly to accommodate for a lowered vehicle. I didn't think this was going to be such a problem as my truck isn't lowered that much but it ended up needing over six degrees of pinion angle correction to bring the U-joints into the correct drive angle. This was after moving the front trailing arm mount point to drop the anti-squat down to 100% so it didn't hit the tires so hard but it is still something that needs to be looked at with a lowered truck.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdelosrey View Post
Would you happen to remember what the set of axles cost and are the conversion axles on their website?

Another option I was thinking about was to weld on trailing arm pads on the 5-lug leaf axle assembly from the 71. Found these on a quick google search.

__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577
69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been
69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc
68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E
79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars
68 TT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2018, 01:06 AM   #14
mdelosrey
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Daly City
Posts: 28
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

Quote:
Originally Posted by 68 TT View Post
You also need to add a panhard bar mount bracket.

An Eaton HO52 / HO72 housing from a 3/4-ton has a nice design bracket that is welded to the axle tube that is easy to copy and install onto another rear end for a trailing arm conversion.

This is by far the least expensive way to go if your existing brakes and axles are in good shape. If you have worn bearing surfaces on your 50-year old axles (likely) and / or your brake drums are shot then the replacement axle method may be a more cost effective option. Inspect your parts closely before you commit to one way or the other.

One upside to the conversion mounting pad option is that you can set your pinion angle and U-joint angles properly to accommodate for a lowered vehicle. I didn't think this was going to be such a problem as my truck isn't lowered that much but it ended up needing over six degrees of pinion angle correction to bring the U-joints into the correct drive angle. This was after moving the front trailing arm mount point to drop the anti-squat down to 100% so it didn't hit the tires so hard but it is still something that needs to be looked at with a lowered truck.

Thank you for the alternate housing information.

Good point on setting pinion angles if going the arm pad way.
mdelosrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2018, 07:53 AM   #15
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,851
Re: SWB 6-lug axle vs LWB 5-lug axle

No need to take on all that's involved with swapping complete axle assemblies to get 5-lugs on a 6-lug axle.
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:43 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com