Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lowhoe · 12-12-2009, 10:56 AM

Im looking to convert my 85 to 6lug. I already have the front end taken care of thanks to early classic. For the rear I have come across a 6 lug rear with dics that has already been narrowed 4.5" per side. I plan on running a 24"x10" wheel with either a +12 or +32 offset. I know the 6 lug rear before being cut is alittle wider than the 80's model rear. Im just worried that the 6 lug rear being cut 4.5" per side might be a little to narrow even with running a 24"x10". Anyone have some exsperience with this situation, or know how much wider the 6 lug rear is than the 80's model rear? Any info would be a help.

**lolife99** · 12-12-2009, 11:20 AM

Can't you just measure the differnce between the "narrowed" 6-lug rearend and your stock 5-lug rearend? (total width)

lowhoe · 12-12-2009, 11:31 AM

ya i could but the guy who has the 6 lug rear is out of town for a few days so he isnt around to give me the lengh measurments so i figured i just ask

**N2TRUX** · 12-12-2009, 12:08 PM

What year is the 6 lug rear?

Damien · 12-12-2009, 01:32 PM

Pull the axle shafts from a 4x4 10 bolt rear and stick them in your housing. Six lug, cheap.

lowhoe · 12-12-2009, 02:39 PM

Ya nevermind the guy wants way to much for the rearend

lowhoe · 12-12-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Pull the axle shafts from a 4x4 10 bolt rear and stick them in your housing. Six lug, cheap.

I was told that the splines and the axle shaft lenghs were different. Anyone know for sure?

KQQL IT · 12-13-2009, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowhoe

I was told that the splines and the axle shaft lenghs were different. Anyone know for sure?

Get the drums too

68 TT · 12-13-2009, 11:05 AM

If the six lug axles are from a square body 8-1/2" 10-bolt they will fit with no issues.

The new body style trucks got a spline change in their 8-1/2's up to 30-spline and they are a little wider, plus the housing brackets are different.

With what you want to run I would stick with the square body rear end.

lowhoe · 12-13-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Pull the axle shafts from a 4x4 10 bolt rear and stick them in your housing. Six lug, cheap.

So as Damien said, as long as find 4x4 10 bolt square body axles, the shaft lengh and splines should all be the same correct?

lowhoe · 12-13-2009, 01:22 PM

From info i found on the net the only difference i found between the 4x4 and 2wd axles is that the 4x4 axles is 31 5/16" in lengh and the 2wd is 31 3/8 in lengh. Thats only a 1/16 difference between the two axles.

lowhoe · 12-13-2009, 07:55 PM

bump

12-12-2009, 10:56 AM	#1
lowhoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: lafayette, LA Posts: 69	Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 Im looking to convert my 85 to 6lug. I already have the front end taken care of thanks to early classic. For the rear I have come across a 6 lug rear with dics that has already been narrowed 4.5" per side. I plan on running a 24"x10" wheel with either a +12 or +32 offset. I know the 6 lug rear before being cut is alittle wider than the 80's model rear. Im just worried that the 6 lug rear being cut 4.5" per side might be a little to narrow even with running a 24"x10". Anyone have some exsperience with this situation, or know how much wider the 6 lug rear is than the 80's model rear? Any info would be a help.

12-12-2009, 11:20 AM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 Can't you just measure the differnce between the "narrowed" 6-lug rearend and your stock 5-lug rearend? (total width) __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 Last edited by lolife99; 12-12-2009 at 11:20 AM.

12-12-2009, 11:31 AM	#3
lowhoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: lafayette, LA Posts: 69	Re: Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 ya i could but the guy who has the 6 lug rear is out of town for a few days so he isnt around to give me the lengh measurments so i figured i just ask

12-12-2009, 12:08 PM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 What year is the 6 lug rear? __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

12-12-2009, 01:32 PM	#5
Damien Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Farmington, MN Posts: 928	Re: Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 Pull the axle shafts from a 4x4 10 bolt rear and stick them in your housing. Six lug, cheap. __________________ I can still count my vehicles on two... wait three hands.

12-12-2009, 02:39 PM	#6
lowhoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: lafayette, LA Posts: 69	Re: Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 Ya nevermind the guy wants way to much for the rearend

12-13-2009, 11:05 AM	#9
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 If the six lug axles are from a square body 8-1/2" 10-bolt they will fit with no issues. The new body style trucks got a spline change in their 8-1/2's up to 30-spline and they are a little wider, plus the housing brackets are different. With what you want to run I would stick with the square body rear end. __________________ 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

12-13-2009, 01:22 PM	#11
lowhoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: lafayette, LA Posts: 69	Re: Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 From info i found on the net the only difference i found between the 4x4 and 2wd axles is that the 4x4 axles is 31 5/16" in lengh and the 2wd is 31 3/8 in lengh. Thats only a 1/16 difference between the two axles.

12-13-2009, 07:55 PM	#12
lowhoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: lafayette, LA Posts: 69	Re: Swapping 6 lug rear on a 85 bump

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