6 lug to 5 lug

[Nitrodan]

Im looking at buying a 1968 1/2 ton 6lug how do I get the rear end to 5 lug
Thanks

[Mike C]

Buy conversion axle and drums or swap to a 71 and newer axle.

[old51sedan]

I just got done swapping axles in my 69. It's a pretty easy job, but be careful as I had one of the spider gears fall out. It was a little bit of a trick, but with the help of a friend we got it back together again.

[Nitrodan]

Thanks for the info

[Nitrodan]

Can someone tell me what year did the chevy truck come out with Disk brakes With that said what years C10 disk brake set up will work on are 67-72
Thanks

[jocko]

71 was the first year for front disk brakes on these trucks (all 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton). It also marks the transition from 6 to 5 lug on the 1/2 ton trucks. So, if you swap 71+ disks over to a 67-70 (search for threads on here to see all your options), you will need to have a full plan on how to do it - i.e. how you want to address the rear wheels as well. Generally speaking, so you only will need one spare tire, it's preferred to not mix 5 lug in front and 6 lug in back. So if you swap the 5 lug disk setup from a 71+, you probably need to consider the 5 lug rear axle swap as well. If, however, you install an aftermarket 6 lug front disk kit, you can leave the back alone. One more sticky wicket is to remember that the original pre-71 6 lug steel wheels do not clear disk brake calipers, so if you do the 6 lug disk kit up front, you need to make sure your spare is of the 71+ K5/K10 variety because they do clear disk brake calipers (and still fit the original rear drums) - and you also won't be able to rotate tires back to front. If using aftermarket wheels, then caliper clearance is likely not an issue.

[MikeB]

In the mid-1990s, I had my stock 1969 C10 6-lug axles re-drilled for 5-on-5. We've had no issues of any type since. It's not something you want to try at home though!

The same machine also shop turned down the outside diameter of the drum locator a few thousands to fit a later model finned drum.

FYI, starting in 1970, the axle tubes and axles were longer, so 70-up axles will be too long for a 69 or earlier axle housing.

Oh yeah, for your pre-71 truck, you will obviously need to use a 71-72 spindles, unless some company out there now makes caliper adapter brackets. I actually used 86 spindles on our 69 C10, along with 73-87 ball joints and 73-87 center link, tie rod ends, and adjuster sleeves.

Check out this attachment. Hope it helps.

[KMC3420]

If your rear axle is indeed original for 68 and 6 lug. Below are two kits designed for this.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/y...RoCS7QQAvD_BwE

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...ack/?rrec=true

Below is a kit from ECE that will allow for you to use stock 68 front end parts, but will convert your front end to 5 lug. The spindles are drop spindles but am sure you could substitute stock height spindles.

https://www.earlyclassic.com/node/1211

[franken]

I guess a search is completely unreasonable for questions asked hundreds of times in the past...

[Nitrodan]

Wow sorry Franken

[jocko]

nitrodan, are you working on two trucks or just asking about the 68 you're considering? Reason I ask - in one thread it sounds like you're seeking 6 lug axles for a 5 lug rear (and provided a link to aftermarket 6 lug rear axles (even though the generic picture on the vendor site shows 5 lug, which threw me for a sec...)) - but in this thread you're seeking to go 6 to 5 lug - which I completely understand in the case of the 68 C10. Are these two threads related? (asking because it sounds like you're trying to achieve two different things - unless you also have a C10 5 lug rear that you are indeed considering converting to 6 lug and leaving the 68 front as 6 lug) Wouldn't want you to buy the wrong axles for what you're seeking to do.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by franken

I guess a search is completely unreasonable for questions asked hundreds of times in the past...

Even when the topic has been covered several times, seems like there are always new suggestions by members who missed the earlier posts.

There wouldn't be very many new posts here if admins deleted the ones with questions that had already been answered in the past.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by jocko

nitrodan, are you working on two trucks or just asking about the 68 you're considering? Reason I ask - in one thread it sounds like you're seeking 6 lug axles for a 5 lug rear (and provided a link to aftermarket 6 lug rear axles (even though the generic picture on the vendor site shows 5 lug, which threw me for a sec...)) - but in this thread you're seeking to go 6 to 5 lug - which I completely understand in the case of the 68 C10. Are these two threads related? (asking because it sounds like you're trying to achieve two different things - unless you also have a C10 5 lug rear that you are indeed considering converting to 6 lug and leaving the 68 front as 6 lug) Wouldn't want you to buy the wrong axles for what you're seeking to do.

Here I go quoting myself again... Nitrodan, my apologies, I mixed your post up with this one http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=786709, which I could swear I responded to yesterday. So, pls disregard my question above, you're clear on what you're searching for , a 5 lug conversion - and the links above at Summit are good options. Good luck!

[jocko]

Originally Posted by Nitrodan

Wow sorry Franken

Nothing to apologize for. You'll get more comfortable with the search function after you've been here awhile, and even then there's nothing wrong with asking. Never hesitate to ask.

Unless of course it's about a disk brake conversion

JUST kidding... it's the most asked question, ever. And that's fine.

[Nitrodan]

Thanks guys i have been looking at a couple trucks as of right now Im try to make a deal on a 67
Thanks again