69 rear axle to 5 lug

[minibike]

I have a 69 12 bolt coil spring 3.73 axle. I would like to convert it to 5 lug, but have heard the 5 lug axles are longer than the 6 lugs. Anyone know how to do this swap?

[JimKshortstep4x4]

You have some options to change to 5 lug. You can swap in a 71-72 complete rear end, go with after market axles, or have your axles redrilled for the 5 lug pattern.

Jim

[ChevLoRay]

You can use axles from a '73 1/2-ton which are the same length as the 71-72 axles. Any of these would require you to use a spacer to adapt the axle length to fit the housing. I don't believe any vendors are producing the spacers for this application. Maybe someone reading this post will consider it, knowing the application will be limited to the '65-69 rear axle assemblies.

1970 axles are the same length as the 71-73 axles, but still have 6-holes. This makes it easy to convert them, IF you can find one to use.

[Bamm]

Only some of the '70 axles are the same length as the '71-2's. The early '70 rears were the same length as the 67-9's. GM must have been using up surplus stock. I thought the '70's were the same too, until I bought a 3.73 posi rear out of a '70 and it was a different width than my '72 rear..................JB

[Low69CST]

You could send your current axles to be redrilled and the drums around 100 plus shipping

You can order new axles, and drums, over 300 plus shipping.

You could get a 71-72 rear end and switch, but I think brake hoses are different and you don't know how good the ring and pinion will be.

Or you could make spacers and put 5 lug axles in your housing and make new brake lines.

[da-burb]

First off make sure the axles you have really are shorter. I pulled an axle from a 69 C-10 and it measured the same as the 70-72 axle. I didn't go as far as finding the codes to make sure it was a 69, but everything sure looked like it had been there for 30 years. You never know what has been changed on a truck after 30 years of driving.

[minibike]

I really appreciate all the good advice from everyong. The drilling option sounds good...who provides this service?

[Low69CST]

Moser Engineering in Portland Indianna is the one who people send them to.

[TERRYP]

I went to newer axles in my '66 (same as 69). They are about 1 1/4" longer. I spaced out the backing plates with large nuts!. Sounds stupid, but I have about 20K miles on the set-up, works great. Only problem is that dirt can now enter through the space between the backing plates and the axle housing. I work construction, and drive on rough dirt daily, and no problems.

[67 SS]

On the 69 and earlier rearends with 71 up axles how much of the axle race is the bearing riding on?I know there's no problem with a 70 rearend.By the way, don't just throw axles out of a 70 out the door.They interchange with 73 up 4WD with 12 bolt.They would be easy to get rid of.Also why they cost a little more.

[minibike]

I'm getting a 71 rear end with 5 lugs. It appears like the bearings will be barely on the end of the race on the shaft. I'll just take my new bearings and other parts (wheel cylinders) and put in the old 71 housing with the 5 lug axles. I had already blasted and powder coated my 69...live and learn.

[kaycee]

I put a set of 76 5 lug axle in my 70 .I made 2 spacer plates out of 1/2" steel plate and bolted them to the backing plate works great.Plus they will accept any type of wheel I am running the 15x8 ralleys,I thought about having mine redrilled but the rims would not fit over the center hub on the 6 lug axle.

[minibike]

I found a combination that looks like it will work. The 69 housing with the stock 69 backing plate, 71 axle which is about 9/16" longer. If you use the stock 71 drum, there is a gap between the backing plate and the drum. I used a 74 drum and it meets up perfectly.