Rims for my 70... help

[69chevybmx]

TireRack.com has those caps, They are $25 each also. Most vendors charge a premium for their caps because it deters people from buying the cheap knock off wheels and then putting a cap on it to make it look like the name brand. It is kind of like putting a Ferrari body kit on a Fiero. It might look better and people think it was expensive, but underneath it is still a Fiero......

[jholley]

Summit sells replacement axles that are drilled for 5 lug. I think this link will take you to the right one.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

[kcjones]

Here's a few things I learned recently when sizing wheels/tires:

1) Sometime in '70, they began installing the wider rearend, so some 1970 1/2 tons had the narrow, some the wide. If I remember correctly, both were 6 lug.

2) If you have the wide rearend, which I would say pretty confidently you do (58.5" backplate to backplate), you buy the regular 5 lug axles, ECE is your best bet because they'll know exactly what you need when you call, and their price is only about $5 higher than anywhere else. If you have the narrow (which I doubt), you'll just get the 6 to 5 conversion axles.

3) When using the wide rear axle, and disc brakes, your front track width is a little bit wider than the front. To compensate for this (if you want even tire to fenderwell gaps in front and back), you buy a wheel that has 1" less backspace if they're the same width. In other words, to get an even track width front and back, get a 15x7x4bs in front, and a 15x8x4bs in back. Essentially the front then extends the track width 3" on each side, and the rear wheels extend the track width 4" on each side, thus evening things out.

4) Lucky - your 10" wide, 5" bs wheels will be fine on your truck, bet you'll have at least an inch still available. Front discs you shouldn't go anymore than about 4" "frontspace", which is width minus bs (8" wide / 4" bs is as far out as you can stick without rubbing).

5) Tire sizes matter a lot when sizing all this stuff. A 275 tire will be an inch wider on a 10" rim than an 8" inch. Although I wouldn't put a 275 on a 10" wheel...

6) 7" wide wheel is no problem for 255/70. If you were going to run a 255/35/18, then you'd want an 8" wheel.

I could be completely wrong about some of this, so take what I say with a grain of salt!

[lts70]

Thanks for all of the help guys. So I have decided to buy new inner axles from summit racing. The same ones jholley suggested above. They are $99.95each and $199.90 for two. There is free shipping. Handling is $11.75. There is no tax because I am in Utah. So a grand total of $211.65.

Before I order these axles can some one tell me for sure they will fit my 58.5" backplate to backplate" 1970 posi rearend? Here is the link again

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Thanks Guys!!

[kcjones]

FYI, the "wide" rear end axle shafts are 31.5" long, the "narrow" rear end axle shafts are 30.75" long.

The axles you need (if in fact you have the "wide" rear end) are 30-spline, 31.5" long, 5x5 bolt pattern with 1/2" lug studs.

[kcjones]

Check this link, take a look at the "1970 Complete rear axle conversion, 31 1/2 inch kit"...pricier than the bare axles from Summit, but you get the drums, studs, axles, and cover gasket:

http://www.classicperform.com/6092ch...e%20Components

[lts70]

Thanks kcjones that kit looks like the route I will take, $329 is not bad depending on how much their shipping and handling is. One question though. It said it is a complete 5lug conversion kit but there are no brake pads included. Are the 70's brake pads the same as the 71-72's or do I need to buy 72 year bake pads as well? Thanks!

[HuggerCST]

Originally Posted by lts70

Thanks kcjones that kit looks like the route I will take, $329 is not bad depending on how much their shipping and handling is. One question though. It said it is a complete 5lug conversion kit but there are no brake pads included. Are the 70's brake pads the same as the 71-72's or do I need to buy 72 year bake pads as well? Thanks!

Yes, the rear brake shoes are the same. I'm about to do the same axle swap on my '70 this weekend, but I am using used axles from a '72 and used drums from a '85.

[lts70]

Pont406 here is a link to the ones I bought.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AIT&viewitem=

Thanks HuggerCST, IIRC I changed my back brakes not to long ago so that will save me some cash.

CCP's shipping was around $50 so out the door it would have been $380 total. So I went with summit's axles for $211.65 out the door. Drums cost me $75 for the set,$12.50 for the wheel bolt, and $3.65 for the seal. So all totaled up it was $303 to swap to 5lug in the back. By putting my own kit together I saved around $80.

[lts70]

When I put my new axles in I plan on changing the gear oil to a full synthetic. Before I button it back up and fill it with the new oil how should I clean it out besides draining it? Brake clean? Is there any thing else I should do or check while I have it pulled apart? Bearings or seals? Right now I have no problem with my posi slipping, no noise, no leaks. I am hoping i can just swap the axles out and be done with it for time and cost. But if there is someting I should do I want it done right.

Thanks guys

[Pont406]

I looked on ebay and can't find these wheels. I am looking for 5 lug wheels also. Can someone post a link? Thanks

[kcjones]

HuggerCST is right, stick with the GM posi additive. You may be able to use both additives, but history has shown the GM additive is correct for posi diffs. Lockers and spools and trutracs are all a little different, but for Eaton type posis, put the GM posi additive in.

[lts70]

That is why I love this site. Everyone knows alot about something and when you put us all toghther we know alot about most everything. Which helps us all learn and get the best results in the end. Thanks for all of the addvice guys it is nice to the have peace of mind that I know what it will take to do the job right the first time. I just hope I can help with questions you may have some day.

[lts70]

I may have found a solution to getting nicer caps for these wheels. I found a Coy's dealership here in Provo Utah that will sell me their caps for $10 each. Once I get the wheels on I think I will drive down and see how they look and fit held up to the wheel. If they look like I think they will I will definatly be getting them.

[pumpgas]

Can we get a new link to those sexy wheels please??

[lts70]

These are the only ones I can find from that seller right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15X10...3A1|240%3A1318

Or use the key words *BRAND NEW* HALIBRAND GASSER MAG WHEELS 15" in the search function

I would email him and let him know what you want. Or start watching his ebay store periodically for when he puts new ones up.