converting from 6 lug to 5 lug - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68chevytn · 11-10-2003, 05:39 PM

as far as the rear end goes, are there any axles i can get to put in my rear end. its a 12 bolt rear end

chris

cwilli84 · 11-10-2003, 05:54 PM

Yep try EArly Classics I think and probably some of the others here on the board, maybe MotherTruckers.

ChevLoRay · 11-10-2003, 11:41 PM

Since you have 6-lug, there are two rear ends that you might have, and it will make a difference.

For the 65-69 rear ends, you can use a 71-73 axle, but you will have to fabricate a spacer to bring the backing plate out into the drum. These axles are longer than the 65-69 axles. If you have a 70, you can use the 71-73 axles. Rear ends got wider in '70, by about an inch. The '74 and up axles are wider than the 70-73's.

Merl4 · 11-11-2003, 01:24 AM

It seems to me that the best price I found, some time ago was Moser Engineering. The are located in Portland, Indiana.
Hope this helps.

gonebad2 · 11-11-2003, 01:38 AM

Does anyone know if it's possible to have a machine shop redrill your axles to five lug?

ChevLoRay · 11-11-2003, 07:55 AM

With enough money, just about anything is possible.

I don't know what the cost would be, but I am sure that a competent machinist would have no problems in re-drilling your axle flanges.

Then, there's always the adapter route. I know that early adapters weren't made like the adapters of current manufacture. But, it's something to consider.

Since I retired, it seems that most of the stuff I want is made from unobtainium, or veryexpensivium.

MR. GOODWRENCH · 11-11-2003, 03:27 PM

I took my 68 axles and had them drilled,they turned out great,if you go this route,you will have to turn the centers down a little to be able to fit a five lug wheel on the axle,the center of the axle where the 6 lug drum fits over is too big for the five lug wheel to fit over. .

MR. GOODWRENCH · 11-11-2003, 03:29 PM

I forgot to say it was about $160.00 to have the drums and axles drilled.

**raggedjim** · 11-11-2003, 06:49 PM

Buy the rear end from a 71-72. I am assuming you have trailing arm suspension, you can change the whole rear end cheaper than messin' with axles, I've done it both ways...

Rg

FRANKIEPOTATAS · 11-12-2003, 03:19 AM

If you have a stock rearend with nothing special about it, you might be better off just looking for a five lug rearend.
they are probably cheaper than getting custom axles or drilling. I know I have seen open rearends for as low as 50 bucks on here

11-10-2003, 05:39 PM	#1
68chevytn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: franklin,tn(near nashville) Posts: 58	converting from 6 lug to 5 lug as far as the rear end goes, are there any axles i can get to put in my rear end. its a 12 bolt rear end chris

11-10-2003, 05:54 PM	#2
cwilli84 1FINE69 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 239	Yep try EArly Classics I think and probably some of the others here on the board, maybe MotherTruckers. __________________ Had a 69 swb fleetside 350zz3 w 400turbo trans oak lined bed with rhino coated sides red exterior. SOLD

11-10-2003, 11:41 PM	#3
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Since you have 6-lug, there are two rear ends that you might have, and it will make a difference. For the 65-69 rear ends, you can use a 71-73 axle, but you will have to fabricate a spacer to bring the backing plate out into the drum. These axles are longer than the 65-69 axles. If you have a 70, you can use the 71-73 axles. Rear ends got wider in '70, by about an inch. The '74 and up axles are wider than the 70-73's. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

11-11-2003, 01:24 AM	#4
Merl4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 25	6lug to 5 It seems to me that the best price I found, some time ago was Moser Engineering. The are located in Portland, Indiana. Hope this helps.

11-11-2003, 01:38 AM	#5
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	Does anyone know if it's possible to have a machine shop redrill your axles to five lug? __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

11-11-2003, 07:55 AM	#6
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	With enough money, just about anything is possible. I don't know what the cost would be, but I am sure that a competent machinist would have no problems in re-drilling your axle flanges. Then, there's always the adapter route. I know that early adapters weren't made like the adapters of current manufacture. But, it's something to consider. Since I retired, it seems that most of the stuff I want is made from unobtainium, or veryexpensivium. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

11-11-2003, 03:27 PM	#7
MR. GOODWRENCH Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maryville,TN Posts: 402	I took my 68 axles and had them drilled,they turned out great,if you go this route,you will have to turn the centers down a little to be able to fit a five lug wheel on the axle,the center of the axle where the 6 lug drum fits over is too big for the five lug wheel to fit over. . __________________ 68 CST SWB,full off frame restoration,72 GMC Sierra Grande SWB,72 Cheyenne 30 long wheelbase flatbed,2000 4door Chevy Dually bought new,2002 SS Camaro with 600 miles,bought it to put up,72 Monte Carlo,it was my first car,69 Impala with 50,000 miles,it was my dads,89 Dodge diseal 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive,my dad bought it new,68 Camaro RS dragcar,97 United Transporters 25 foot enclosed trailer,58 Oliver Super 77 Diseal,my grandfather bought new fully restored,55 Oliver Super 66 Diseal my uncle bought new,49 Oliver Rowcrop 88,51 Farmall H,51 Farmall Super C,81 Ford 3600,89 Ford 6610,49 Allis Chalmers WD45,81 Allis Chalmers 7060 my dad bought new,Allis Chalmers 175.

11-11-2003, 03:29 PM	#8
MR. GOODWRENCH Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maryville,TN Posts: 402	I forgot to say it was about $160.00 to have the drums and axles drilled. __________________ 68 CST SWB,full off frame restoration,72 GMC Sierra Grande SWB,72 Cheyenne 30 long wheelbase flatbed,2000 4door Chevy Dually bought new,2002 SS Camaro with 600 miles,bought it to put up,72 Monte Carlo,it was my first car,69 Impala with 50,000 miles,it was my dads,89 Dodge diseal 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive,my dad bought it new,68 Camaro RS dragcar,97 United Transporters 25 foot enclosed trailer,58 Oliver Super 77 Diseal,my grandfather bought new fully restored,55 Oliver Super 66 Diseal my uncle bought new,49 Oliver Rowcrop 88,51 Farmall H,51 Farmall Super C,81 Ford 3600,89 Ford 6610,49 Allis Chalmers WD45,81 Allis Chalmers 7060 my dad bought new,Allis Chalmers 175.

11-11-2003, 06:49 PM	#9
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,463	Buy the rear end from a 71-72. I am assuming you have trailing arm suspension, you can change the whole rear end cheaper than messin' with axles, I've done it both ways... Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

11-12-2003, 03:19 AM	#10
FRANKIEPOTATAS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 63	If you have a stock rearend with nothing special about it, you might be better off just looking for a five lug rearend. they are probably cheaper than getting custom axles or drilling. I know I have seen open rearends for as low as 50 bucks on here



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