5 lug rear

[60apache]

for all of you that have converted your front end to disc brakes with 5 lug what are the options on the rear to get a 5 lug pattern?

[Captainfab]

The '71-'72 rear ends are a bolt on for the coil spring suspensions in the '63-'70 trucks. Yours being a '60 I believe you will have to relocate the trailing arm mounts. I could be wrong though. You can use the '73-'87 10 and 12 bolts as well. Those are a little easier to find and if you do indeed need to relocate the mounts, it wouldn't make any difference which one you get. Either oine you get will be 1 1/2" wider than your current rear end (3/4" per side) You will also need to transfer your panhard bar mount to the new rear end.

[chevytrucknut]

Yep The Captain is correct. You'll need to relocate your trailing arm pads for a newer rear end (anything after '62) or have your axles re-drilled, the hub pilot turned down, lugs changed to 1/2in to match fronts(this cost around 175.00) and new 5 lug 2 inch drums. This way your axle width doesn't change.

[steverino66]

The later rears are a little wider; another option is aftermarket 5-lug axles - I got a deal on some used ones on the parts side of this site (I think ECE sells them, a little pricey new but as opposed to swapping the entire rear - ?)

[markeb01]

I did what chevytrucknut explained - had the axles redrilled, 1/2" studs, turned down the hub and used the later finned brake drums. Was a bit spendy but a simple R&R compared to rewelding new mounts, and dealing with the width issues.

[60apache]

what do you mean by hub turned down?

[tapeworm]

I believe he means turning down the part in the very center that sticks through the drum

Also, another option is Early Classic axles

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx

prob the easiest, but not the cheapest

Originally Posted by markeb01

I did what chevytrucknut explained - had the axles redrilled, 1/2" studs, turned down the hub and used the later finned brake drums. Was a bit spendy but a simple R&R compared to rewelding new mounts, and dealing with the width issues.

I'm guessing you had this done locally? Or did you send them out somewhere who does them on a national level?

I currently have 6 lug axles as well, but may be getting back the wheels off my old car; 5 lug, 4 1/2 or 4 3/4 pattern

Here's a pic

[tapeworm]

Don't know why I didn't think of this before

http://www.moserengineering.com/

or

http://www.moserengineering.com/moser/shop-services/

[62gmc910]

If you get your 60-62 axles repatterned you need to bear in mind the very limited gear ratio selection. IMO the best thing to do would be to move the pads in on a 63-69 diff and have those axles redrilled if you need the narrower track , or just repad the 73- 80 12 bolt . personally i would just get a set of 6 bolt hubs and rotors for the front

[60apache]

has anyone ever put an 80's model rear end in?

[Imperial Kustom]

I am a bit confused about those of you who are talking about relocating the mounting pads on the later rears. I have swapped numerous '63-'72 (mostly '68-'72 as they are more plentiful) into early '60's trucks without any issues at all except for the panhard.

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by 60apache

what do you mean by hub turned down?

Just confirming - yes it means turning down the end of the axle hub where the center brake drum registration hole fits over it. I don't remember the dimensions, but the 6 lug brake drum center hole is much larger than the center hole in the later 5 lug drum. The axle end needs to be trimmed on a lathe to allow the later drum to seat flush.

Just a note - if you can find one in a wrecking yard, a 60-62 GMC 1/2 ton has the coil spring rear suspension and comes stock with a Dana 44 rear axle. Gear sets are plentiful for the Dana 44, which is why I decided to redrill mine instead of replacing the rear end.

[chevytrucknut]

Originally Posted by Imperial Kustom

I am a bit confused about those of you who are talking about relocating the mounting pads on the later rears. I have swapped numerous '63-'72 (mostly '68-'72 as they are more plentiful) into early '60's trucks without any issues at all except for the panhard.

Next time you are near a stock 60-62 rear coil spring axle, measure the distance between trailing arm mounting pads. You'll find that the 63-66 axle pads are closer together like 3 to 4 inches. If you were able to squeeze a set of trailing arms together and mount the later rear ends, not only will the panhard bar be a problem but the coils would not be parallel and you'll smash the trailing arm bushings.The trailing arms wouldn't be able to freely travel and just be stuck and/or squeek really bad.
I learned this the hard way after tring to install a '65 rear under a '62 I had. I had a heck of a time getting the u-bolts to go through and I had to use a ratchet strap to get the arms together. Once I did I drove it around the block and not only was it a very noisy and stiff ride,but the rear had come up due to dips in the road or curbs. The back of the truck was stuck all the way up as far as the shocks would let it travel.
Taking the thing apart was also an adventure.
I have found more than one 60-62 in wrecking yards with a later axle bolted in with just the U-bolts with no pads touching the trailing arms at all. Scary.

[tapeworm]

Originally Posted by 60apache

has anyone ever put an 80's model rear end in?

I don't think they will work real well. I believe they are a two or three inches wider

[60apache]

I thought 1.5" please confirm

[62gmc910]

If by 80 s you mean up to'87 it should be 1.5 inches wider but would prolly be a 10 bolt after 88 Ive never measured one

[tapeworm]

Originally Posted by 60apache

I thought 1.5" please confirm

Yup, it is 1.5" wider between the pre-70 and the 70-87

The 88-up are more like three inches

Here is a 72 axle going in a 66

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313491

Similar, just will need to relocate the mounting pads as the others mentioned