'71 Rear Axle question. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71C10SWB · 04-13-2009, 11:46 AM

Hey guys,
I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here, but I've got a '71 swb that originally had a 6cyl/3-speed. Now it has a 350/Powerglide (soon to be a TH350). The rear gears are really low.
My father-in-law has a '69 or '70 (350/auto) down in the woods that he said I could get the rear out of if I want to. It has the 6 lug wheels though. I thought I would just swap axle shafts when I got it to my 5-lugs, but from what I'm reading here, I might not be able to do that.
He also has an old mid-70's truck down there. I know it has the leafs vs. my coils, but I don't think it would be a real big deal to convert.
What would be my best choice here on a budget?

By the way, does anybody know the axle width dimensions for both versions?
If so, is there any external signs to tell a narrow 67-early 70 from a late 70 6-lug?
This thing's down in the woods and it's pretty wet right now. It would be nice to know before I crawl around underneath it.
thanks

sneakysnake · 04-13-2009, 11:57 AM

The best way is to measure backing plate to backing plate, the older ones are about 1 1/2" narrower.

04-13-2009, 11:46 AM	#1
71C10SWB Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seymour, IN Posts: 42	'71 Rear Axle question. Hey guys, I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here, but I've got a '71 swb that originally had a 6cyl/3-speed. Now it has a 350/Powerglide (soon to be a TH350). The rear gears are really low. My father-in-law has a '69 or '70 (350/auto) down in the woods that he said I could get the rear out of if I want to. It has the 6 lug wheels though. I thought I would just swap axle shafts when I got it to my 5-lugs, but from what I'm reading here, I might not be able to do that. He also has an old mid-70's truck down there. I know it has the leafs vs. my coils, but I don't think it would be a real big deal to convert. What would be my best choice here on a budget? By the way, does anybody know the axle width dimensions for both versions? If so, is there any external signs to tell a narrow 67-early 70 from a late 70 6-lug? This thing's down in the woods and it's pretty wet right now. It would be nice to know before I crawl around underneath it. thanks

04-13-2009, 11:57 AM	#2
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: '71 Rear Axle question. The best way is to measure backing plate to backing plate, the older ones are about 1 1/2" narrower.



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