rear drum swap axle change

[jr1966]

I am changing axles to 5 lug on 69 GMC. Can I use drums from a later 5 lug rear like 72 5 lug to replace the 6 lug drums ?
Thanks

[hugger6933]

Sure can that is what most do during the rear swap to 5 lug.

[jr1966]

Thanks, now to the parts store I go.
JR

[GR8-68]

Are you changing the whole rear axle ? Axle shafts nor drums will fit in a 69 rear, axle shafts from a 72 are longer and brake drums are bigger than a 69

[GASoline71]

You'll need different axle shafts that are shorter. Moser makes conversion axles, and are what I used when I went to a 5 lug setup in a 1969 housing. I swapped over all 1972 Drum brakes by unbolting the 4 backing plate bolts from the 1972 housing and then bolting the backing plate with all the brake hardware still attached to the 1969 housing. That way I could still use the 1972 drums and shoes.

I think there are some pics in my build thread.

Gary

[randy500]

The brakes on the 69 should be the same as newer 5 lug stuff all the way into the 90's on square body trucks. You should have 11" diameter by 2" wide brakes on the 6 lug axle and that is whats on the 71-2 axle. The 71-2 drums look bigger because they have cooling fins but inside the parts are all the same. You can even switch to the square body wider brakes if you want, just get the backing plate assemblies and drums for the wider brakes.

[jr1966]

My plans are to only swap in new axles- 5 lug MG6569 part number from Amazon and get 5 lug drums from a 70s up truck. Do the drums interchange or do I need to go another route ? Thanks for the info. I am new to the truck stuff and learning fast.
JR