is it safe and sturdy to redrill rear axle hub to 5 lug from 6 lug?

[oldblue1968chevy]

gonna be converting my 6 lug to 5 lug sometime soon..still unsure on how to make the rear 5 lug..........

should i redrill for 5 lug...(seems easiest cheapest) or wats some other routes...

can prolly getta whole new rearend from 71-72 but dunno for how much..

what're some other options thanks

[lolife99]

I'm doing the same ting to my '69 swb right now. I decided to go with a '71-'72 rearend because I had one. The other option is to use "conversion" 5-lug axles that will bolt into your housing. Then just add the '71-'72 brake drums. Several companies offer these axles. ECE, Summit Racing, Moser Engineering, to name a few.

[williej45]

Have a machine shop do it and you will be fine. double check the center part of the flange to be sure it will locate the wheel properly.

[williej45]

oops, double post

[Shane]

... you're not gonna redrill it SAFELY using a hand drill if that is what your asking. the axle will need to be fixtured & drilled on a mill.

[oldblue1968chevy]

do i gotta take the axles out to do this dont i..dont wanna mess wtih the rear diff any....

would it be easyer(not cheaper) to just swap a whole diffreent rearend from lets say a 72 truck? thanks

[SCOTI]

Obviously, guys w/a different perspective might have a different opinion of this. But, this is how I made my decision:

Replace the axles w/new stronger aftermarket units w/the desired bolt pattern: PRO's = New axles w/zero wear, stronger than OE, correct bolt pattern, .500 studs. CON's = possible issues w/proper fit, cost approx $300.

Re-drill bolt pattern on original axles: PRO's = You know everything works/fits together, can be a cheaper alternative if the machine shop is set-up for the job. CON's = Still 37+ yr old axles that are weaker than when new from years of wear, if the machine shop charges you to do set-up it can approach the cost of new axles when the metal burrs are through flying.

Purchase used housing w/the correct bolt pattern: PRO's = Can be a cheaper alternative if you 'know' a source. CON's = More work effort overall vs. swapping axles, unknown service history of 'new' housing, used axles that are weaker than when new from years of wear, possible variation in housing width that can effect wheel/tire placement (71 & 72 rear housings are wider for those that this is a critical factor), post-72 housings require cutting off the leaf spring pads & replacing them w/aftermarket coil spring housing pads (for coil spring suspension trucks), possible increased difficulty properly ID-ing a 'new' housing for replacement parts (the guy said it came out of a 72 GM truck; these brake shoes don't look anything alike....).


I lost contact w/the guy that re-drilled my last set of axles. Even then, it was only about $100 to do the job but I had to drive an hour to get to him. So figure in the down time for the truck, the gas & time back & forth to his shop, plus the axles were still old w/wear. I then considered the rear end swap. I hit multiple local wrecking yards & found a possible candidate for $200. But, it turned out to be a longer housing & although the guy assured me it had "years of service left in her", I didn't really believe him. So.... I chose the aftermarket axle option.

[oldblue1968chevy]

okay...

if i do aftermarket, do i gotta loosen something in the diff to slide the axles out?

thanks

[special70gmc]

you pop the rear cover, and youll see the planatary gears (spider gears) the pin they ride on must come out via a bold on the side f the carrier youll see it. slide that pin out rotate the axle untill they slide out then you can get the c-clips that hold the axles in place out. when there out slide the shaft out and get drillin! take about 20-25 min to do not that involved. hope that helps ya -kyle

[oldblue1968chevy]

so on a scale of 1-10 how hard is it, 10 bein the hardest..

ya think a 16 year old with the right tools, (and can get additional help with addional work, lol) can figure this out....saw it on the show, 'Trucks' and it looked tricky, but i guess the rear end is just scaring me lol...

so to drill to 5 lug, or replace axles for 5 lug, i gota take the old axles out by this method...

THANKS!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

so on a scale of 1-10 how hard is it, 10 bein the hardest..

ya think a 16 year old with the right tools, (and can get additional help with addional work, lol) can figure this out....saw it on the show, 'Trucks' and it looked tricky, but i guess the rear end is just scaring me lol...

so to drill to 5 lug, or replace axles for 5 lug, i gota take the old axles out by this method...

THANKS!

Yes, a 16yr old can easily swap axles w/guidance from others that have done it.

Your materials required will be some standard wrenches & sockets, a decent size flat blade screwdriver to pop the cover off, an oil drain pan to catch the old fluid, a razor or scraper to remove the old gasket material, new fluid, new rear cover gasket, & sealant.

[oldblue1968chevy]

well ive got the tools lol....

guidance from yall

okie dokie......looks like i better start searchin for a machine shop see how much they want to charge me...if its too high, then buy new axles......300 for both sides, or 300 per side lol

thanks

[sierra4x4]

You can just simply swap your axles and drums out for 71-72 axles and drums. Very simple swap and inexpensive too.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by sierra4x4

You can just simply swap your axles and drums out for 71-72 axles and drums. Very simple swap and inexpensive too.

rear ends are different widths ... not as simple as one would think

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Shane

rear ends are different widths ... not as simple as one would think

Plus they're still 37 year old axles.