Save some bucks...pics inside

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

Most good rearend shops can redrill your axles and brake druns to 5 x 5 at a reasonable cost.

[crazy longhorn]

Originally posted by MOTHERTRUCKERS
Yes 5 lug rotors available at any parts store, 6 from custom part suppliers. Not sure how rubber or screw in control arm bushings got into this but we do not sell rubber control arm bushings because the rubber is inferior to the screw in and it's harder to keep it aligned due to flex in the bushing. Most 67-72 trucks with proper greasing and maintenience are still running the same control arm bushings they had from the factory 30 years ago.

2nd that..... the steel bushings in the 67 -72s were good for about a 1/4 Million miles if properly greased.....they might ride a tad harsher that rubber, but im from the theory that if it works, dont screw with it My longhorn got a new set of shafts & bushings about 18-20 K ago.......the 1st set had 240,000 on them! crazyL

[raggedjim]

GMC69, by far the easiest option for the rear is to get the rear end from a 71 or 72. Its already 5 lug and will fit right in. This is if you have rear coils. If you do this try to get the panhard bar also, I seem to remember I had some trouble with that. (been awhile since I did this)

If you have rear leaf springs it's even easier to find a rear end to fit as the newer 73-84 should fit.

Mothertruckers is right about redrilling, I had my axles redrilled on a 68, bought new rear drums for a 72 and had to have the center hole enlarged to fit the axles. I drove out the old studs and bought new ones for the 5 lug setup, they're a different thread size. It worked fine but was more of a hassle than swapping rear ends.

I also put a 77 rear end in a 64 by cutting off the brackets and swapping them, gotta be careful and get everything straight.

Good luck, Roger

[GMC69]

Originally posted by raggedjim
GMC69, by far the easiest option for the rear is to get the rear end from a 71 or 72. Its already 5 lug and will fit right in. This is if you have rear coils. If you do this try to get the panhard bar also, I seem to remember I had some trouble with that. (been awhile since I did this)

If you have rear leaf springs it's even easier to find a rear end to fit as the newer 73-84 should fit.

Mothertruckers is right about redrilling, I had my axles redrilled on a 68, bought new rear drums for a 72 and had to have the center hole enlarged to fit the axles. I drove out the old studs and bought new ones for the 5 lug setup, they're a different thread size. It worked fine but was more of a hassle than swapping rear ends.

I also put a 77 rear end in a 64 by cutting off the brackets and swapping them, gotta be careful and get everything straight.

Good luck, Roger

I know that the 73-87 rear end is 3/4' longer than mine. But from what you are saying the 71-72 is the same width???

And the panhard bar, I will have to get an adjustable one anyhow since I am dropping 4" ( I know mothertruckers carries those too).

So then I can get the drop spindles from mothertruckers, keep my suspension as is ( maybe refresh it a bit) upgrade the front brakes at the same time, then get a rear end from a 71-72 with a five bolt made for coil springs, get my lowered springs and adjustable panhard bar and voila I am in business??

I think I got that straight

[raggedjim]

Viola may not be the words you'll be shouting! I know I used a 6 foot cheater bar and busted my 1/2 drive rachet (NO SH!T...) to get the nuts off of my rear end when I swapped it out, But it does work. I'm getting ready to do this to my blazer and bought a 72 rolling chassis to swap the parts.

Roger

[GMC69]

Originally posted by raggedjim
Viola may not be the words you'll be shouting! I know I used a 6 foot cheater bar and busted my 1/2 drive rachet (NO SH!T...) to get the nuts off of my rear end when I swapped it out, But it does work. I'm getting ready to do this to my blazer and bought a 72 rolling chassis to swap the parts.

Roger

Well I am expecting that, this is not the first time I had to work on it. Besides the rust and maybe a few broken things, it is the best way to go. As long as I don't need to torch some bolts off I will make due with what I have.


Thanks for the info, looks like things got a bit easier for me.

[crazy4chevs]

EARLY CLASSIC has axles, try this. http://www.earlyclassic.com/axles.html

[GMC69]

Thanks, but by the time I pay for shipping, duty and the exchange rate I am looking at about 600$, I can definetly find a rearend for cheaper than that.

[chevy69er]

What is the difference between 73-87 3/4ton and 1/2ton ball joints.I want to get some new a-arms but they only make them for 1/2tons.If at all possible i would like to use the 3/4ton ball joints on the 1/2ton a-arms.Any info is appreciated.