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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 23
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5 lug to 6 lug swap
i have a 71 C10 with the 5 lug rear end and stock gears...3.08 i think.
there's a local selling a 6 lug rear end from a 69 C10 with 4.11 gears and trailing arms. is it just a simple swap in for the rear end or is there anything else i would need?? for 80 bucks, it seems it would be cheaper to swap out rear ends rather than install new gears. im guessing the only "bad" thing would be is that the rear would be 6 lug and the front would be 5 lug? |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
Very good question! Having two different lug patterns would make tire rotations rather difficult (to say the least).
Why, pray tell, the move to a 4.11? I have a 4.11 and although the truck pulls strong on WV hills, the gas mileage is a pain! I will probably move to change mine over to a 3.73 in the future. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 23
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
it'll be my around town fun truck/occasional track fun so im not worried about gas mileage
id prefer 3.73s but for as cheap as this 4.11 axle is, i figure id give it a try if it would work |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
If that's what you want, then God bless you brother!
![]() One this is for sure, you'll get plenty of torque with the 4.11. |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Spring Hill, Florida
Posts: 465
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
If you want 6 lug all around, all you would need to do is swap out for 6 lug rotors in the front I believe.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Marianna Arkansas
Posts: 7,269
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
Why not get the rear then some 5 lug conversion axles for it so it will remain 5 lug all around? Jim
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Albuquerque NM
Posts: 7,848
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
As ling as the 6 lugger is a coil spring and your truck is a coil youll ne just fine. I think the u joint mounts have different hardware so be sure you get the hardware off the 69.
Get 6 lug rotors for a 71-72 from gmc pauls and youll be just fine. Youll notice the 69 rear end is a little narrower though. Does anyone know if he could just swap gears?
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1967custom |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 23
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
if the gears would swap over, that would work too. still cheaper than getting new gears. ive ran used gears in my last car and if put in right, no problem.
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#9 |
C10 Collector
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 417
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
You could also bring the axle shafts to a machine shop near you and have them weld up the 6 lug holes and redrill 5 lug. Then use your 5 lug drums that you already have. The 6 lug axle is narrower which is nice if you want some more meat back there!
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 23
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
i will be putting some wider tires on for the track eventually so maybe that will work out...
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Glendale, Arizna
Posts: 1,642
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
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#12 |
Loves all GMC trucks
![]() Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Columbia Mo
Posts: 4,435
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
If/When swapping the third members only you have to ensure the "series" of the center section is the same. This makes a difference as there are several types between the years. You can buy conversion ring and pinions for some if you wanted to change one series to fit in another series housing but the cost is a little more. Hope I explained that correctly. Good luck!
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Mike If your helping someone and expecting something in return... your doing business not kindness! |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Glendale, Arizna
Posts: 1,642
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Re: 5 lug to 6 lug swap
Just use the entire third member (it's called a "case" in the shop manual, most people call it a "carrier") and the pinion, leaving the ring gear on the carrier case.
I've heard there may be a small difference between the stack on the older vs newer pinions involving an oil slinger. This I was told at Arizona Differential on Grand Avenue. Don't think it would be a big deal, and was told it was not. But, it may have some affect on the crusher sleeve. If you want to do it yourself I'll walk you through it. |
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