5-Bolt Rear-End w. Springs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 01-22-2003, 08:01 PM

I'm converting my '68 to 5 bolt hubs. I'm installing an '84 front clip, but I'm wondering what to do in the rear. I know that GM converted to 5-bolt hubs somewhere during the 67-72 era, but when? I'm also wondering if coil springs were still in use when that conversion took place.

Finding a 5-bold rear end with coil spring mounts would be a bonus.

lukecp · 01-22-2003, 08:20 PM

I assume that you mean the lug nut pattern is 5x5. Go find a rear axle out of a '71 or '72 Chevy/GMC. It will ahve the same bolt pattern as the hubs on your front clips. And almost all of those trucks had a coil spring rear axle. It will be a direct bolt-in.
Good luck!

Low68 · 01-22-2003, 10:40 PM

You can just replace the axles with five lug axles if you don't want to hastle with the whole rearend. I know Early classic sells axles now and so does ricks. I think Early classic's are better. The ones I got from rick's are just welded shut and then redrilled five lug. I think if you want to keep the rear drum brakes, you use the drum from the early 70's. If you call early classic or ricks pick up parts, they should be able to tell you how to do it. I think that would be a whole lot easier that swapping the whole rear end, unless you have other problems with the rearend and you need a new one anyways. Just some thoughts. They converted to five lug in 70,I think. I could be wrong about that. It may have been an option or something, but I know some trucks had five lug.
Low68

bluec10 · 01-23-2003, 11:45 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I figured that I could replace the axels, but I wasn't sure if GM went with leaf springs when they made other changes in '71.

01-22-2003, 08:01 PM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	5-Bolt Rear-End w. Springs? I'm converting my '68 to 5 bolt hubs. I'm installing an '84 front clip, but I'm wondering what to do in the rear. I know that GM converted to 5-bolt hubs somewhere during the 67-72 era, but when? I'm also wondering if coil springs were still in use when that conversion took place. Finding a 5-bold rear end with coil spring mounts would be a bonus. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

01-22-2003, 08:20 PM	#2
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I assume that you mean the lug nut pattern is 5x5. Go find a rear axle out of a '71 or '72 Chevy/GMC. It will ahve the same bolt pattern as the hubs on your front clips. And almost all of those trucks had a coil spring rear axle. It will be a direct bolt-in. Good luck! __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

01-22-2003, 10:40 PM	#3
Low68 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 758	You can just replace the axles with five lug axles if you don't want to hastle with the whole rearend. I know Early classic sells axles now and so does ricks. I think Early classic's are better. The ones I got from rick's are just welded shut and then redrilled five lug. I think if you want to keep the rear drum brakes, you use the drum from the early 70's. If you call early classic or ricks pick up parts, they should be able to tell you how to do it. I think that would be a whole lot easier that swapping the whole rear end, unless you have other problems with the rearend and you need a new one anyways. Just some thoughts. They converted to five lug in 70,I think. I could be wrong about that. It may have been an option or something, but I know some trucks had five lug. Low68 __________________ Build Thread

01-23-2003, 11:45 PM	#4
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Thanks for the help guys. I figured that I could replace the axels, but I wasn't sure if GM went with leaf springs when they made other changes in '71. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.



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