New to group. Up date suspinison 65 suburban

[65burb65]

I just bought a 65 suburban short wheelbase 10 series with six lug wheels. I have a salvage yard and woundering what I need to up date to 5 lug disc. I heard I can leave my crossmember in and bolt every thing off a 84 chevy to it. Also I have tried to email captian fab with no response about a adapter plate for the power gear box. What about changing rear axle to 5 lug. My suburban used to be a school bus in southern mo. When it was new, still has the lights on the roof. Plan on lowering it and 350 400 turbo trans. Anything I need to look out for? Thanks for any feedback

[jonzcustomshop]

just get the whole crossmember off the 84, it is a bolt on piece, much easier than changing out all the components.
you have to drill a few holes.
if you can find a 69-72 5 lug rear, you can bolt it in.
or you can get an axle conversion kit for your 6 lug from speedway, you could also get a mount kit for a modern axle from speedway as well.
try sending capt a pm, he is usually on here every day.

[65burb65]

I have the axle out of the 84 Chevy truck is it wider than the original I saw that kitfrom speedway for the axle conversion do you have to buy spiders or anything to go with that

[jonzcustomshop]

it looked like the 65-69 kit was without the spiders, the 63-64 was the one that needed spiders.
I think the 84 axle is a inch, or a half inch wider on each side?
maybe someone will chime in, I know they fit, but the tires end up being close.

[Captainfab]

The '71-'87 10 and 12 bolt differentials are 1.5" wider than the '63 to early '70 12 bolts. As already stated, the '63 and '64 12 bolts need the spider gears changed for a 5 lug conversion. Your '85 10 bolt will need the original leaf spring perches and shock mounts cut off and trailing arm mounts and a panhard bar mount welded on. If you are lowering your Burb very much, you can go with one of the bolt on adjustable panhard bar kits.

I did reply to your PM......

[cooperhw]

Welcome to the club.

Sounds like a nice little build. Any pics?

I am also starting a build (Tuesday of this week 1st day disassembly) .

I have a guy close by who has done a bunch of these and has tons of parts available.

[chakah]

You say it was once a school bus and still has roof lights, can you post some pics of it?

[65burb65]

If someone can tell me how to post pictures I will

[Mathew21]

I can't wait to see the pictures either. I usually host my pictures through photobucket.