redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CG · 04-16-2006, 12:17 PM

is this a job any machine shop can do? what sort of money would you expect to be charged for this?

72armyswbtruck · 04-16-2006, 12:49 PM

Could get pretty expensive, I say just buy new 5 bolt axels

Deuce · 04-16-2006, 01:20 PM

I think early classics makes a set of conversion axles for the 67-70 diff.

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 01:34 PM

Dennis Brooks did this. Search under his name and you should turn up his posts. He always has good tech reading.

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 04-16-2006, 01:47 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=163480

try this???

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 01:50 PM

That's the thread I was remembering. The guy is a rock star.

BowTieMan · 04-16-2006, 02:30 PM

When I worked at a drive shaft shop I asked the machinist that did some work for us about doing this and he said he wouldn't recammend it because welding hardened metal will weaken it and it is just as easy to get a set of 5 lug axles.

**PICKMUP** · 04-16-2006, 02:33 PM

Buy new axles with straight flanges, straight shafts, clean smooth bearing surfaces and avoid the possible trouble with welding, grinding, welding, drilling and used axles.

CG · 04-16-2006, 05:00 PM

i saw you could get em from a bunch of the parts people i just wasnt sure what was involved in redrilling. it looks like you can save money if you are able to do alot of the work yourself...which i cant =( thanks for the thoughts and the thread. eye opening read.

69face · 04-16-2006, 05:53 PM

what type of rear end do you have? If you have a ten bolt, I think you should just get another rear end. I see guys saying that it cost them a minimum of $260 to complete the job. You may be able to find a complete rear end with 5 lugs for that price or a little more if it has posi, gears, etc., but you want posi, gears, etc. anyways. I was thinking about drilling mine also, but after reading Dennis's article I think i'll just try and find another rear end. Good Luck!

Tx Firefighter · 04-16-2006, 07:31 PM

It's easy to put a 5 lug rearend out of a leaf spring 73-87 into an earlier coil spring truck. I just went through that yesterday. As long as you buy the new saddles, it's easy. I was buying a new track bar anyway.

**dennislbrooks** · 04-16-2006, 07:43 PM

After doing 2 pair I would not weld up the old holes with the exception of the one that interferes and make only one interfere. If you were closer, I have a jig on my drill press but you are not. The flanges do need turned down for the 5 lug drums or rotors. Expect about $25-$30 per axle. The 5 lug are usually 1/2 studs instead of the 6 lug 7/16". You probably have to get new studs either way. Go with the aftermarket if you need something else to break before an axle. A 73-87 that already has a limited slip can save hundreds for the total package --- like TX says above.

04-16-2006, 12:17 PM	#1
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,826	redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug is this a job any machine shop can do? what sort of money would you expect to be charged for this?

04-16-2006, 12:49 PM	#2
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,034	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug Could get pretty expensive, I say just buy new 5 bolt axels __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

04-16-2006, 01:20 PM	#3
Deuce Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta,Canada Posts: 1,595	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug I think early classics makes a set of conversion axles for the 67-70 diff. __________________ I know what your thinking.......I have ESPN. Sometimes it's easier to do things the hard way. Fesler Built 1968 Chevy C10....Must resist the urge to mess with it!!

04-16-2006, 01:34 PM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug Dennis Brooks did this. Search under his name and you should turn up his posts. He always has good tech reading. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-16-2006, 01:47 PM	#5
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,594	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=163480 try this??? __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

04-16-2006, 01:50 PM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug That's the thread I was remembering. The guy is a rock star. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-16-2006, 02:30 PM	#7
BowTieMan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 747	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug When I worked at a drive shaft shop I asked the machinist that did some work for us about doing this and he said he wouldn't recammend it because welding hardened metal will weaken it and it is just as easy to get a set of 5 lug axles. __________________ "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

04-16-2006, 02:33 PM	#8
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,125	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug Buy new axles with straight flanges, straight shafts, clean smooth bearing surfaces and avoid the possible trouble with welding, grinding, welding, drilling and used axles.

04-16-2006, 05:00 PM	#9
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,826	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug i saw you could get em from a bunch of the parts people i just wasnt sure what was involved in redrilling. it looks like you can save money if you are able to do alot of the work yourself...which i cant =( thanks for the thoughts and the thread. eye opening read.

04-16-2006, 05:53 PM	#10
69face Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: northridge Posts: 534	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug what type of rear end do you have? If you have a ten bolt, I think you should just get another rear end. I see guys saying that it cost them a minimum of $260 to complete the job. You may be able to find a complete rear end with 5 lugs for that price or a little more if it has posi, gears, etc., but you want posi, gears, etc. anyways. I was thinking about drilling mine also, but after reading Dennis's article I think i'll just try and find another rear end. Good Luck! __________________ ""A bagged vehicle is only as good as it's wheel/tire combo!" -getlowness! my build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=223747:metal: I'M SO SO CAL!

04-16-2006, 07:31 PM	#11
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug It's easy to put a 5 lug rearend out of a leaf spring 73-87 into an earlier coil spring truck. I just went through that yesterday. As long as you buy the new saddles, it's easy. I was buying a new track bar anyway. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-16-2006, 07:43 PM	#12
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	Re: redrilling 6 lug axels for 5 lug After doing 2 pair I would not weld up the old holes with the exception of the one that interferes and make only one interfere. If you were closer, I have a jig on my drill press but you are not. The flanges do need turned down for the 5 lug drums or rotors. Expect about $25-$30 per axle. The 5 lug are usually 1/2 studs instead of the 6 lug 7/16". You probably have to get new studs either way. Go with the aftermarket if you need something else to break before an axle. A 73-87 that already has a limited slip can save hundreds for the total package --- like TX says above.



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