6 bolt to 5 bolt axle????? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ACP427 · 09-08-2005, 10:32 PM

Hey guys, I read some where that a 5 bolt axle won't fit in a 6 bolt housing? Is that right? I have a 68 6 bolt housing and a set of 71 5 bolt axles is there any way they will fit ?they looked the same too me so I dumped 71 housing and kept the 68, the 71 was all rusty and I did'nt want to sand blast it , OOPS. thanks Tony

70short/step · 09-08-2005, 10:55 PM

The 71 axles are longer than your 68 axles. If you want 5 lugs, take your 6 lug axles to the local machine shop and they can weld up the 6 lugs and redrill the 5 lugs. You will also need them to turn down the center of the axle so the 5 lug brake drums will fit over it. Many have done it this was on here and was under $100.

**dennislbrooks** · 09-09-2005, 01:15 PM

I agree with 70Short/step -- however ---when I do my second set --I see no reason to weld up 4-5 of the 6 holes. I would only weld 1 or 2 up after I placed my new 5 holes. You will find that only one for sure has to be placed partialy on one of the original 6 holes. And you can buy aftermarkets.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=169438

kaycee · 09-09-2005, 02:24 PM

Yes they will fit right in ,but they will be longer 3/4" on each side,I have used spacer plates between backing plate and axel housing.No problems so far allso used the wider drums and shoes

Longhorn Man · 09-09-2005, 02:34 PM

that can work, but then the axles are riding on the bearings on the wrong spot on the axle. The spot that is supposed to be on the bearings is hardened

**guyryan100** · 09-09-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

You will also need them to turn down the center of the axle so the 5 lug brake drums will fit over it.

70short/step, could you clarify what you mean by this?

Are you talking about the red circle, the blue, or something else?

**dennislbrooks** · 09-09-2005, 03:17 PM

70 shortstep and I are talking about the red circle. ---You will also need them to turn down the center of the axle so the 5 lug brake drums will fit over it.

**guyryan100** · 09-09-2005, 03:19 PM

It has to be pretty darn simple for me to get it. thanks!

BowTieMan · 09-09-2005, 06:56 PM

So would a set of axles from say a 78 fit into my 70 axle housing?

**dennislbrooks** · 09-09-2005, 07:33 PM

nope--both the 28 and 30 spline are too long-----but I have heard that some late 70's had the 71 housing --you might measure your axle and get a compare.

ACP427 · 09-09-2005, 08:13 PM

Thanks for the info, Now I am using the 71 front spindles for the disc brake setup, will the wheels line up, to the 68 rear housing? Or do they stick out 2" also? thanks

70short/step · 09-09-2005, 08:15 PM

yes they will stick out unless you compensate with the proper backspacing

ACP427 · 09-09-2005, 08:29 PM

So I should just start looking for a 71 housing and save alot of messin around with it . thanks for the info, Tony

**dennislbrooks** · 09-09-2005, 09:05 PM

I also used 72 spindles on my 67---I have 1.5" spacers on the back to help even out the wheels. I run 6 lug 15x8 inch ralleys.

09-08-2005, 10:32 PM	#1
ACP427 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Syracuse, NY Posts: 160	6 bolt to 5 bolt axle????? Hey guys, I read some where that a 5 bolt axle won't fit in a 6 bolt housing? Is that right? I have a 68 6 bolt housing and a set of 71 5 bolt axles is there any way they will fit ?they looked the same too me so I dumped 71 housing and kept the 68, the 71 was all rusty and I did'nt want to sand blast it , OOPS. thanks Tony

09-08-2005, 10:55 PM	#2
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	The 71 axles are longer than your 68 axles. If you want 5 lugs, take your 6 lug axles to the local machine shop and they can weld up the 6 lugs and redrill the 5 lugs. You will also need them to turn down the center of the axle so the 5 lug brake drums will fit over it. Many have done it this was on here and was under $100. __________________ For every person with a spark of genius, There are a hundred with ignition trouble. 70 Short/Step

09-09-2005, 02:24 PM	#4
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,449	Yes they will fit right in ,but they will be longer 3/4" on each side,I have used spacer plates between backing plate and axel housing.No problems so far allso used the wider drums and shoes __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

09-09-2005, 02:34 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	that can work, but then the axles are riding on the bearings on the wrong spot on the axle. The spot that is supposed to be on the bearings is hardened Last edited by Longhorn Man; 09-09-2005 at 02:36 PM.

09-09-2005, 06:56 PM	#9
BowTieMan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 747	So would a set of axles from say a 78 fit into my 70 axle housing? __________________ "A true hotrodder wouldn't be content untill he had created a car so violent, so hairy, so totally sick that the very act of dropping the hammer would result in instant death. Anything less results in the need to go faster." - Tony DeFeo

09-09-2005, 01:15 PM	#3
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,798	I agree with 70Short/step -- however ---when I do my second set --I see no reason to weld up 4-5 of the 6 holes. I would only weld 1 or 2 up after I placed my new 5 holes. You will find that only one for sure has to be placed partialy on one of the original 6 holes. And you can buy aftermarkets. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=169438

09-09-2005, 03:17 PM	#7
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,798	70 shortstep and I are talking about the red circle. ---You will also need them to turn down the center of the axle so the 5 lug brake drums will fit over it.

09-09-2005, 03:19 PM	#8
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 483	It has to be pretty darn simple for me to get it. thanks!

09-09-2005, 07:33 PM	#10
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,798	nope--both the 28 and 30 spline are too long-----but I have heard that some late 70's had the 71 housing --you might measure your axle and get a compare.

09-09-2005, 08:13 PM	#11
ACP427 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Syracuse, NY Posts: 160	5 bolt Thanks for the info, Now I am using the 71 front spindles for the disc brake setup, will the wheels line up, to the 68 rear housing? Or do they stick out 2" also? thanks

09-09-2005, 08:15 PM	#12
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	yes they will stick out unless you compensate with the proper backspacing __________________ For every person with a spark of genius, There are a hundred with ignition trouble. 70 Short/Step

09-09-2005, 08:29 PM	#13
ACP427 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Syracuse, NY Posts: 160	So I should just start looking for a 71 housing and save alot of messin around with it . thanks for the info, Tony

09-09-2005, 09:05 PM	#14
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,798	I also used 72 spindles on my 67---I have 1.5" spacers on the back to help even out the wheels. I run 6 lug 15x8 inch ralleys.

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