Easiest way to upgrade rear from 6 to 5 lug?

[Drummerboy]

I'm going to do a power disc brake on my '68 and can't decide if I want to leave it six lug or convert it to five. If I go five I have to do the rear too. What's the easiest way to achieve this?

[Steve Cole]

You can change the rear axles and brake drums (at least $300) or you can remove the axles, press the lug bolts out, weld up the holes, and re-drill for a 5 lug pattern and then do the same for the brake drums or buy new drums. There are a few companies that sell kits to do this, I believe CPP does. If you decide to stay 6 lug, I have some almost new 6 lug rotors I will sell for $75.

[In The Ten Ring]

Easiest way? Buy a 1971 or 1972, then you get disc brakes up front also!

You did not specify.....

[Steve Cole]

Forgot to mention, you can change the rear end to a 71-72 but they are wider so your rim choice would have to compensate for that if you want to keep the wheels in line.

[TXgearhead67]

I just did this and bought the CPP axle kit. $300 something I believe and it was easy! I am a machinist and welder and would not recommend welding axles. The material is a hard heat treated alloy that needs a specific preheat and post heat to maintain integrity. I'm sure some have done it and got lucky with the results but it's not worth it to me. Besides I bet by the time you weld it and pay for the redrilling of axles and drums it would be close to the same price as new stuff. My 2 cents.

[Steve Cole]

I don't recommend welding and re drilling either, but several folks on a budget have done it. The welding is just to fill in the old holes so you could just leave them open. Personally I just bought the moser axles and new drums. Like TXgearhead said, it's not worth the trouble.

[leddzepp]

I did a disc brake conversion on my 68, converted to 5 lug as well. I just swapped in a 72 rear end to match...was very easy.

[BossHogg69]

http://www.moserengineering.com/axle...spline-65.html

This is what I did when I first swapped to 5 lug. Summit Racing carries them too. I swapped to discs at the same time, but if I was using drums, I'd just drill the 5 lug pattern. If your drums are already worn some, obviously you could just buy new 5 lug drums.