6 lug to 5 lug swap

[hotrodxy]

I have a 69 lwb C/10 with a 12bolt posi and 6 lug axles, i was wondering if I could swap the axles for 5 lug with out any other modification

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Welcome to the 67-72 Chevy truck board from West Michigan!

The 69 rear end has shorter axles then the 71-72 so swaping in the 5 lug axles will not work. Redrilling your axles is an option or replacing the whole rear end with the later year one.

Jim

[71 burb]

i just bought some 69 5 lug axles from ccp with drums and studs for around $329 plus 60 ship good quality but for that price shoulda got some bearings and seals

[acl]

use your axles and have them drilled. i had mine done by moser in indiana. around 150.00 with shipping and you will know you have the right lenght and spline count you need. shipped out and back in less than a week. Gary

[MotorSeven]

I did the same swap, '68 to '72 axles. They '72's are longer, but the bearing surface is also longer so it mates with the bearing no problem. I think that the bearing surface is the more important than a little extra length. Anyway, i am running them as is, but haven't had a chance to put alot of miles on to test the theory. I'll see if i can find the pic of the two axles side by side i posted here a year or so ago.

RD

Here it is: '72 on left...
[IMG][/IMG]

[jmuck]

IF YOU PUT DISC BRAKES ON THE BACK WILL THE 72 axel fit in a 69? OR IS THERE OTHER ISSUES?

[ChevLoRay]

I know a guy who put the longer 5-lug axles in place of the 6-lug axles and machined a spacer to take up the space that would have been there.

[hotrodxy]

I have a friend that has a 69 swb he is parting with 5 lug axles but has no posi will they work?

[low'n slow]

Originally Posted by MotorSeven

I did the same swap, '68 to '72 axles. They '72's are longer, but the bearing surface is also longer so it mates with the bearing no problem. I think that the bearing surface is the more important than a little extra length. Anyway, i am running them as is, but haven't had a chance to put alot of miles on to test the theory. I'll see if i can find the pic of the two axles side by side i posted here a year or so ago.

RD

Here it is: '72 on left...
[IMG][/IMG]

If I remember correctly, the problem with putting the longer axle in is the brake drum doesn't match up with the brake pads. My son's 67 was like that. We ended up at the wrecking yard and found some drums that were off set. Seemed to solve the problem, but I don't remember what year the drums came off of.

Does that make sense?

[BluTrukker]

ACL do you have any more info/contact#'s for getting axles re drilled? Would that compromise the strength of the axle in any way? Not looking to drag race, just don't want to break an axle while I'm cruisin'.

[BluTrukker]

Can you re-drill the front as well?

[c10addict]

Early classic has the axles for $280.00 if you dont want to redrill yours.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog....ry=New%20Items

[MotorSeven]

Low & Slow, to be honest, the parts for Frankentruck have been scavenged from everywhere. One drum came from my neighbor & the other from a bone yard in Bean Station. They are the same(but different..lol) & matched up with the '68 rear brakes without any modification. I have put 300 miles on the truck with no prblems. So i would guess that they are later year drums.

RD

[acl]

yes i do . Moser Engineering Portland Indiana. 260-726-6689 also www.moserengineering.com My receipt totals 111.00 from them shipped out. I paid shipping to them and again turnaround was very quick. I also tried other years with many problems in length and spacers and this was the best by far. There is no problem holding up. I wish i would have done this first and saved the trial and errors i had. Just my 2 cents. Gary

[Slik69]

What is the purpose in going from 6-5 lug.. better wheel selection?? Isn't 6 lug typically better?

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by acl

I also tried other years with many problems in length and spacers and this was the best by far. There is no problem holding up. I wish i would have done this first and saved the trial and errors i had. Just my 2 cents. Gary

Hey Gary, what did you end up using for drums after your axles were re-drilled, how wide were the shoes/drums that you endded up using, did you change out backing plates also? I just had a set of 70 12 bolt (narrow type) axles re-drilled locally for the 5 on 5" pattern and am having problems finding over the counter/new drums that fit with the already replaced/new brake parts. All of the common 71 and up 5 lug drums that I have been shown at three diff. parts houses are of the wider type which would mean swapping out more parts, also tried 75 caprice (to wide) and am thinking of trying more GM big car rear drums next. Any info will be greatly appreciated, Mel

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by Slik69

What is the purpose in going from 6-5 lug.. better wheel selection?? Isn't 6 lug typically better?

In my opinion, nothing to be gained. Used to be, it was wheel selection and the fact that converting to discs meant using a 5-lug front and still having a 6-lug rear. When I did my ECE conversion to front discs, I stayed with a 6-lug setup because it meant that I wouldn't have to buy new wheels.

Nowadays, with 6-lug wheels having returned to GM trucks, there's a lot to choose from......if you have a thick-enough wallet.

[Slik69]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

In my opinion, nothing to be gained. Used to be, it was wheel selection and the fact that converting to discs meant using a 5-lug front and still having a 6-lug rear. When I did my ECE conversion to front discs, I stayed with a 6-lug setup because it meant that I wouldn't have to buy new wheels.

Nowadays, with 6-lug wheels having returned to GM trucks, there's a lot to choose from......if you have a thick-enough wallet.

Ok, was just wondering because when I first go tthe truck that's the opne thing everyone looked and commented me on was the fact that it had 6 lugs ont the wheels instead of 5. I seemed to think it was better.. that's all. I too want to do a disc conversion down the line.. and would like to use the wheels I already have. How do I do this conversion and retain 6 lugs. I saw some 6 lug trucks in the boneyard, just wondering if they'd fit.

[Southpa]

I did the front end swap years ago and still have a 6-lug rear. I only have a spare tire for the rears, not the fronts and you can't properly rotate your wheels for even wear. I think thats good enuf reason for wanting to make them all the same. I've been meaning to change rear axles myself. Got a 1970 GMC and was wondering what suitable 5-lug donor truck would work.