rear end question

[WEBBY1]

Is it worth it/gain anything to swap rear end to a 5 lug. Or have 5 lug axles put in my orignal. I plan on shorting my rear end a few inches for big tires.

[PGSigns]

The 5 lug will get you a better selection of wheels. That will help when looking for wheels in the size and offset you need to get them under your truck.
Jimmy

[davbowen]

nice 6 lug wheels are hard to find.

[WEBBY1]

Im talking about getting 5 lug axles for my 6 lug rear end?

[donthekawguy]

Now we don't know what you mean. You can get 5 lug axles. The benefit is more wheel choices. I would hold off on narrowing the rear and see if just widening your tubs will be enough for what you want. Unless your going the pro-street route.

[DLW]

I would just change the axles/drums to 5 lug of proper length for our trucks. Going to a different 5 lug rear will probably result in a wider rear. Since you want to narrow a rear, either way different axles will be required unless you send stockers in to be shortened.

[Clyde65]

If you have a 64 or down, your better off changing the housing( HO junk and 12 bolt with 17 spline). 65 and up you can change the axles in your 12 bolt

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

If you have a 64 or down, your better off changing the housing( HO junk and 12 bolt with 17 spline). 65 and up you can change the axles in your 12 bolt

63's also used the 12 bolt and '63-'64 used a panhard bar mount that was welded onto the axle tube instead of cast into the center. Why would you use another housing? That makes no sense...

[DLW]

He's saying those year 12 bolts came with 17 axle spline instead of the 30 spline 65-66 came with.

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by DLW

He's saying those year 12 bolts came with 17 axle spline instead of the 30 spline 65-66 came with.

Yes, but why would that make you want to buy a later housing?

[DLW]

Nothing wrong with the housing itself, pretty much the same housing for all years 63-82 I think, and you can just convert it to 30 spline if you want. I believe the backing plates are pressed on too but that can be changed as well.

[66Submarine]

Pressed on backing plates are '63 AFAIK.

Yes, all you need to do is swap the spider gears to use the fine-spline axles. That's why I don't understand why you'd want to swap housings...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519914

Originally Posted by Clyde65

If you have a 64 or down, your better off changing the housing( HO junk and 12 bolt with 17 spline). 65 and up you can change the axles in your 12 bolt

[WEBBY1]

Thanks for the info.. ill see what it's going to cost to run 5 lug axles in my stock rear end.. reason for narrowing is to run a wide tire with very little back spacing. Its not pro street by any means.. going with the rat rod theme.