12 Bolt Coversion from 6-lug to 5-lug - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stllookn · 03-09-2004, 10:07 PM

What years do the axles interchange or are there slight differences? What else needs to be changed...backing plates and brake assy or just hubs?

Bowtie67 · 03-09-2004, 10:23 PM

the 5 lug axles are longer, CPP sells a set of 5 log axles that bolt right in. I have seen some posts about guys making adapters to space out the difference so they could use the later axles..

Vince M · 03-09-2004, 11:45 PM

Another source for the axles are Early Classic Enterprises. ECE. Pretty simple. Take out the old axles and put the new ones in.

Others have redrilled the six lug axles for the five bolt pattern. That probably is the cheapest route to take.

Longhorn Man · 03-10-2004, 12:39 AM

Looking at your signiture, this info probably will not help, but many of the 70 trucks had the wide axle under them, in which the 5 lug axles slide right in. No mods needed.
But on 69 and older, it is not a direct swap, and re-drilling would probably be the cheapest route.

stllookn · 03-10-2004, 12:56 AM

Thanks guys, that helps quite a bit...how did you know that I am a minimalist at heart...LOL! Good thing my buddy owns a machine shop!

23and56 · 03-10-2004, 01:42 AM

Just done it today.Switch 5 lug axles from71 truck to my 70 and they where a perfect match,in length and dia.Starting on front next to get disc brakes.

HuggerCST · 03-10-2004, 10:47 AM

Did you have to change anything else except for the drums?

boraxman · 03-10-2004, 11:14 AM

Another thing to consider is, using later model (73-87) larger rear brakes. That would require backing plates, drums, pads and hardware off the later model truck. You can use the same e-brake cables.

23and56 · 03-10-2004, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HuggerCST
Did you have to change anything else except for the drums?

Besides the axles all I changed was the drums.I must correct myself as the parts came from a 71 chevy sububan.

Longhorn Man · 03-11-2004, 02:25 AM

Well...5 lug wheels might make it easier to drive.

Blue Beard · 03-11-2004, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Longhorn Man
Well...5 lug wheels might make it easier to drive.

Make it go faster.....?

Huck · 03-11-2004, 10:00 AM

Similar question with a twist---what about 4x4 axels? Can you swap out the 6 lug rear axel shafts with a 2x4 5 lug axel shaft--assuming they are 71-72 models? There by using a 4x4 axel on a 2x4 5 lug truck-----

Longhorn Man · 03-11-2004, 04:38 PM

I can't remember what happened, but the 4X4 did have a width deal on there's too...but I don't know what to what though.

03-09-2004, 10:07 PM	#1
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	12 Bolt Coversion from 6-lug to 5-lug What years do the axles interchange or are there slight differences? What else needs to be changed...backing plates and brake assy or just hubs? __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

03-09-2004, 11:45 PM	#3
Vince M Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,076	Another source for the axles are Early Classic Enterprises. ECE. Pretty simple. Take out the old axles and put the new ones in. Others have redrilled the six lug axles for the five bolt pattern. That probably is the cheapest route to take. __________________ ............................................................ 68 Chevy CST SWB w/LS1, carb & 700r4. Golden Anniversary clone with a few improvements.

03-10-2004, 12:56 AM	#5
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Thanks guys, that helps quite a bit...how did you know that I am a minimalist at heart...LOL! Good thing my buddy owns a machine shop! __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

03-10-2004, 01:42 AM	#6
23and56 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: barnum Posts: 127	From six to five Just done it today.Switch 5 lug axles from71 truck to my 70 and they where a perfect match,in length and dia.Starting on front next to get disc brakes.

03-10-2004, 10:47 AM	#7
HuggerCST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 4,501	Did you have to change anything else except for the drums? __________________ Wynne 70 CST short fleet Hugger orange & white, 350/350, ps, pb, air, tilt, tach/vac/speedwarning, original buckets, AM/FM, oak bed floor, shoulder belts, 3.5"/5.5" drop, 20" American Racing VN425s. Build thread 53 Chevy shortbed 69 Camaro Click here to subscribe Chevy GMC International Truck Club Louisiana Charter Member http://www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com

03-09-2004, 10:23 PM	#2
Bowtie67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,266	the 5 lug axles are longer, CPP sells a set of 5 log axles that bolt right in. I have seen some posts about guys making adapters to space out the difference so they could use the later axles..

03-10-2004, 12:39 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Looking at your signiture, this info probably will not help, but many of the 70 trucks had the wide axle under them, in which the 5 lug axles slide right in. No mods needed. But on 69 and older, it is not a direct swap, and re-drilling would probably be the cheapest route.

03-10-2004, 11:14 AM	#8
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,921	Another thing to consider is, using later model (73-87) larger rear brakes. That would require backing plates, drums, pads and hardware off the later model truck. You can use the same e-brake cables. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

03-11-2004, 02:25 AM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Well...5 lug wheels might make it easier to drive.

03-11-2004, 10:00 AM	#12
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Similar question with a twist---what about 4x4 axels? Can you swap out the 6 lug rear axel shafts with a 2x4 5 lug axel shaft--assuming they are 71-72 models? There by using a 4x4 axel on a 2x4 5 lug truck-----

03-11-2004, 04:38 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I can't remember what happened, but the 4X4 did have a width deal on there's too...but I don't know what to what though.

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