Will the 73 chevy rearend bolt up to my 65 gmc

[old_1966_GMC]

hey watsup i need to know this before i head back to the junkyard to pull it off i wanted to know if the 5lug drum rear end from a 73 chevy long bed fit on my 65 gmc londbed ive finished the front now lookin to get the rear end swapped to 5 lug I hope some can hope help me with this asap plz really lookin forward to this rear end
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[codyshawn1974]

i did this already. you need to weld up shock mounts on the forward side of the axle to match the stock shock location on the frame. or fab up new frame mounts. i did the first way. works great. stepped up to 5 lug with 3.08 posi from 83 chevy 1/2 ton with heavy duty drum brakes.

[Captainfab]

If you have leaf springs in the rear, the '73 will bolt up. The spring perches are actually a little foo, but there should be enough movement in the spring bushings to be able to bolt it up. Then as codyshawn1974 said, you will have to deal with relocating the shocks, either on the frame, or the rear end.

Also, the '73 12 bolt will be 1.5" wider than your original rear end.

[old_1966_GMC]

will i have any major problem when it comes time to wanna add some wheels rims or watever either one i was able to get out the rear end off today its a 12 bolt but i notice sumthin fishy when i got it home today there were two small squres on both end behind the brake that seem to of been cut P/O seems like who ever used to own the truck probly made the the hole to be able to cool the drums down also theres two small size spring on the rear end and some rubber stop not sure wat are the purpose of that ill try to take some photos of wat i got today

[old_1966_GMC]

so heres a pic of the axle after it was cleaned up and painted also the cuts that were there when i got it home can i use the same part from a 1975 step side to change the ones with the cut holes cause there makeing me feel sick

[codyshawn1974]

looks more like the person cut it out to have access to the rear brake adjuster. those get rusted in place sometimes when you don't grease them. doesn't take much, but it sure makes a difference. pulled my rear end today to do another swap. seams that i didn't get my pinion torqued correctly and the pinion bearing is wiped out now. no problems though. i still have the "new" rear end. pulled the axles out of the old one (6 lug) and brake backing plates to swap over to the new one, so i can keep my 6 lug wheels.

[codyshawn1974]

forgot to tell you, be careful on the leangth of your drive shaft. my old one was couple inches to short, but the front half drive shaft from 72 chevy long bed matched up pretty good. just swap your slip yoke over and your set.

[old_1966_GMC]

ive also removed the axle and the backin plates today im ganna change the bearing and seals once i get a chance i think ill be askin u plenty of more questions later for now im just ganna clean up the the frame in the rear and finish removin the old and puttin the new in just ganna do that first oh and i need all the info u can give me on relocatin the shock mounts sence its my first time ever restorein a truck thanks

[Captainfab]

I would take both of your rear ends to a welding/fabrication shop and have them change the shock mounts on the new rear end to match the configuration of the shock mounts on your old rear end.

You can change your backing plates with any backing plates on a truck 12 bolt. But be aware, along about 1975-76, GM went to wider brake shoes. If you find a set of those, you will also need to upgrade the drums to match the backing plates.

Originally Posted by old_1966_GMC

ive also removed the axle and the backin plates today im ganna change the bearing and seals once i get a chance i think ill be askin u plenty of more questions later for now im just ganna clean up the the frame in the rear and finish removin the old and puttin the new in just ganna do that first oh and i need all the info u can give me on relocatin the shock mounts sence its my first time ever restorein a truck thanks

[old_1966_GMC]

where do i find one of these slip yoke sence post 7 mention

Re: Will the 73 chevy rearend bolt up to my 65 gmc

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forgot to tell you, be careful on the leangth of your drive shaft. my old one was couple inches to short, but the front half drive shaft from 72 chevy long bed matched up pretty good. just swap your slip yoke over and your set

[codyshawn1974]

Originally Posted by old_1966_GMC

where do i find one of these slip yoke sence post 7 mention

i replaced the rear half of the driveshaft in mine with the front half drive shaft from 1972 lwb chevy with t-400 trans.
same u joints and everything. so all i did was replace the u joints with new ones and put my slip yoke on the 72 half shaft.
bolted right in
if yours is a long bed, it has one on there already. my slip yoke is aft of the carrier bearing.

[old_1966_GMC]

so this the silp yoke

[codyshawn1974]

Originally Posted by old_1966_GMC

so this the silp yoke

yep, that's it. i had to get longer drive shaft for the rear. yours may bolt up. i would try the original first to be sure, and if it doesn't fit, you can try to find one in salvage yard or have one made. shouldn't cost more than hundred dollars or so, if you have rear half made to fit.

side note: i tried to swap axles and backing plates to keep the 6 lug. didn't fit. 6 lug stuff was too long. may try different route later with spacer behind backing plate, but need to get it on the road for now.

[old_1966_GMC]

at least ur truck can see the road my truck hasnt seen the road in who knows how many year but at least my 305 v6 still sound like when they first came out the factory ever sine it got rebuild it hasnt seen the road sence then. Oh and i was finally able to find the rear backin plates now its time to put in the the new brakes and hardware and relocate the shock mounts i should be a able to install it by the end of this month o and aslo also found out the gear ratio it a 3.07 12 bolt rear end