Axels only or whole rear end swap?

[McCoyAZ]

Time to consider swapping to a 5 lug rear axel for convenience sake.

Would it be more cost effective to pull my axels and have them machined to a 5 lug bolt pattern or should I just buy a '72 rear end and swap that out with what's in my '64 currently?

The front end was swapped with a '76.

If it matters i'm running a 283 with a 2 spd powerglide.

[LVPhotos]

I swapped in the CPP 5 lug conversion axles on my 1970 12 bolt rear. I thought it was cost effective.
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[66Submarine]

You could also buy new 5 lug axles of the right length. Dutchman Axle, for instance, makes them for $235/pair, any length you want. (Probably what the CPP axles are)

[Captainfab]

Can you actually find a '71-'72 12 bolt with the gear ratio you want, and is in good shape?

If your current 12 bolt is in good condition and you are happy with the gear ratio, I would just buy the conversion axles and the spider gears. You will need the spider gears for a '64 12 bolt. You may be able to do it slightly cheaper by having the axles plugged and drilled, depending on what a machine shop in your area will charge. This will save you from having to change the spider gears. But I would only do this if the axle/wheel bearing surfaces are in excellent condition. Of course all of this is assuming that the rear end in your '64 is the original, and has not been changed in the past 49 years.

[McCoyAZ]

To the best of my knowledge the rear end is original to the truck. It has 3.73:1 gears.

Now if you ask me if I am happy with that....honestly I have no clue. I don't drive the beast very far and it does have the 2 speed power glide which every one tells me to swap out.

I just would like to have 5 lugs all around instead of 5 in front and 6 in back.

[bryankichler]

I ordered the 5 lug axle swap kit on speedway and it was really smooth about 30 minutes to an hour and I was sitting on 5 lug wheels very impressed with thier kit.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1965-1...Kit,46263.html

[Captainfab]

What I would suggest doing first, is just pull one or both of your axles, and see if the bearing surfaces are good, and whether they are 17 spline or 30 spline. That really isn't hard to do. Then make a decision on whether to modify those or buy aftermarket.

I am definitely not a fan of the powerglides. I think you would find your truck much more enjoyable to drive if you upgraded to a 700R4. Plus your MPG would go up.

Originally Posted by McCoyAZ

To the best of my knowledge the rear end is original to the truck. It has 3.73:1 gears.

Now if you ask me if I am happy with that....honestly I have no clue. I don't drive the beast very far and it does have the 2 speed power glide which every one tells me to swap out.

I just would like to have 5 lugs all around instead of 5 in front and 6 in back.

[lasher78]

i have a 66 c10 stepside. i am thinking of buying a whole doner truck like a 84 scottsdale to use to swap out frontend for rhe 5lug, disc brakes, and power steering and use the rearend as well. o yeah and can use column as well. can find one of these trucks where i live all day long for about 500-600 bucks.
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[McCoyAZ]

Originally Posted by lasher78

i have a 66 c10 stepside. i am thinking of buying a whole doner truck like a 84 scottsdale to use to swap out frontend for rhe 5lug, disc brakes, and power steering and use the rearend as well. o yeah and can use column as well. can find one of these trucks where i live all day long for about 500-600 bucks.
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I was under the impression that the 1972 rear end was pretty much the same size as the 60'6 trucks, but with the 5 lug axel.

Any other year was wider or had leaf springs? No?

[kieth]

Originally Posted by McCoyAZ

Time to consider swapping to a 5 lug rear axel for convenience sake.

Would it be more cost effective to pull my axels and have them machined to a 5 lug bolt pattern or should I just buy a '72 rear end and swap that out with what's in my '64 currently?

The front end was swapped with a '76.

If it matters i'm running a 283 with a 2 spd powerglide.

I had mine modified by a local machine shop. 120.00 including studs and machining the center hub down to match the later model rear brake drums.

Kieth

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...4686&k=8bbRfcq

[kieth]

Originally Posted by lasher78

i have a 66 c10 stepside. i am thinking of buying a whole doner truck like a 84 scottsdale to use to swap out frontend for rhe 5lug, disc brakes, and power steering and use the rearend as well. o yeah and can use column as well. can find one of these trucks where i live all day long for about 500-600 bucks.
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We bought a 91 burb wrecked, used the TBI engine, 700r4, wiring harness, front crossmember and sway bar, and tilt wheel, power steering gearbox, ps pump, alternator, etc........cost $900.00

[bmur66]

Is there a reason you couldn't put 6 lug rotors on the front?

[Captainfab]

The late '70 and up differentials are 1.5" wider than the '60 to early '70 differentials. Leaf springs were available all through the '60-'72 years. However after '72 there were no coils and trailing arms available.

Originally Posted by McCoyAZ

I was under the impression that the 1972 rear end was pretty much the same size as the 60'6 trucks, but with the 5 lug axel.

Any other year was wider or had leaf springs? No?

[lasher78]

u can overcome the 1.5" wider rear with the correct backspaceing on ur wheels, and just cut off all orginal mounts on old rear and rear weld onto new correct?
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[Captainfab]

Yes, you can get wheels with a deeper backspacing to accomodate the wider differential.

Yes there will be cutting and welding involved in putting an orginally leaf sprung differential under a truck with trailing arms and coils. When doing so, you must make sure that the pinion angle is correct. Otherwise you will have driveshaft vibrations, and could prematurely wear out U-joints.

[lasher78]

any suggestions on how to make sure the angle is the same?
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[McCoyAZ]

So it sounds like the easiest option is to pop out the axels I have and see if a machine shop will convert them to 5 lug.

Next best option is the replacement axels

and the 3rd would be replace the whole rear end.

that sound about right?

[Captainfab]

With an angle finder. A digital one is most accurate.

Originally Posted by lasher78

any suggestions on how to make sure the angle is the same?
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[Captainfab]

Yep, that about sums it up. Just be sure your axles are worth putting money into them before you take them to the machine shop.

Originally Posted by McCoyAZ

So it sounds like the easiest option is to pop out the axels I have and see if a machine shop will convert them to 5 lug.

Next best option is the replacement axels

and the 3rd would be replace the whole rear end.

that sound about right?

[lasher78]

captianfab, if you had my truck 66 c10 stepside what exact yr truck would you look for to use as a donor for the front end( disc brakes, power steering, 5lug, brake booster and master cylinder, steering colum and rearend)??
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[Captainfab]

For most of that, I always use the '73-'87 parts, Those are much easier to find and more reasonably priced than the '71-'72 parts. At least they are around here.

For the brake booster, I use the ones that are compatable with the booster bracket that I sell. There are many applications that work.

As for the rear end, I would inspect the rear end I have and make a decision based on the condition of what I have and what my budget allows. This would also be influenced by what is available in a '73 and up rear end as for gear ratio, posi or not, etc. If the budget allows, I would consider upgrading the axles and brakes on the original rear end.

Originally Posted by lasher78

captianfab, if you had my truck 66 c10 stepside what exact yr truck would you look for to use as a donor for the front end( disc brakes, power steering, 5lug, brake booster and master cylinder, steering colum and rearend)??
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[lasher78]

my origanal is a 12bolt with 3:73 gears not posi. i am wanting to have 3:08 gears for better gas milage as this truck is going to be everyday driver. so i just figured it was cheaper to find newer rear with those gears and do the welding for springs vs. buying news axles and gears for mine?
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[lasher78]

will the brake booster from a donor truck that you are using aall the brake system from not just bolt in with maybe a little fabbing of holes on firewall?
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[Captainfab]

Since you are looking for higher gears, then another rear end might be the best option from a money perspective.

Originally Posted by lasher78

my origanal is a 12bolt with 3:73 gears not posi. i am wanting to have 3:08 gears for better gas milage as this truck is going to be everyday driver. so i just figured it was cheaper to find newer rear with those gears and do the welding for springs vs. buying news axles and gears for mine?
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The brake boosters from the '73-'87 trucks can be used. You will just have to drill some holes to mount it. Personally I don't like the way they look, and I don't like drilling more holes in the firewall. Plus those holes typically end up in a not so convenient location on the inside. That is why I started making my booster brackets.

Originally Posted by lasher78

will the brake booster from a donor truck that you are using aall the brake system from not just bolt in with maybe a little fabbing of holes on firewall?
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[lasher78]

what boosters are ur brakets made to use?
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