6 lug to 5 lug?

[fire235]

How hard is it to change a 6 lug truck to 5 lug?

[HuggerCST]

For the front, the easiest way is to buy a disc brake conversion spindle from one of the board vendors, and use your existing suspension and steering components. Another option is to swap the complete front saddle from a disc brake model('71-'87 will practically bolt in), but if you want to change only the required parts, using a donor truck, here is what you will need for the front:
spindles & backing plates
calipers
brake hoses
steel brake lines
Proportioning valve
Master cylinder
upper and lower ball joints
tie rods
center link
pitman arm

For the rear- You have a few choices. If you have the late '70 wide rearend (someone help me with the measurements), you will need 5 lug axles and drums from a '71-72 rearend. If you have the shorter 6 lug rear, you will need to either swap the complete rearend, OR use a 3/4" spacer on each side between the axle housing and the drum backing plate with '71-'72 5 lug axles, OR have your axles redrilled to 5 lug pattern. I believe board venders sell bolt in 5 lug axles also. If you guys will help me here, I'll put this in the FAQ section. I looked and didn't see it. Any info anyone can add?

[Super Duck]

the easyest thing to do for the rear is to get a rear out of anything from a 71-a 78 and just change spring mounts. I did it on my 67. the other thing to remember is to move the shock mounts. it only took abought 3 hours

[kaycee]

Rear spacer width is 3/4" on each side 11/2' total

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Super Duck

the easyest thing to do for the rear is to get a rear out of anything from a 71-a 78 and just change spring mounts. I did it on my 67. the other thing to remember is to move the shock mounts. it only took abought 3 hours

Problem with that, is there is no panhard bar mount place on the later rear end for a coil spring truck to use.

[HuggerCST]

Originally Posted by kaycee

Rear spacer width is 3/4" on each side 11/2' total

Thanks for the info, I'll edit my post and include those measurements. One thing I'm not sure about is the booster. Some say you have to change it, some say you don't.

[cysko9]

resurecting this post....

any thoughts regarding what year joints to use when buying the front end conversion?
im planning on purchasing some new a arms from ART but i need to know what kind of joints im going to use, and consequently, what year of brake conversion....

are there any pros or cons to using the 73+ or the old style?

whats the deal here?

[68w/sbc406]

what ever year you choose thats what year joints and tie rods you need. if you go past 81 and are looking for 6 lug rotors you need to make sure what you are getting, there is a heavy and light duty which has different thickness of rotor

[cysko9]

so basicly, the only things that have to match are my spindles which will come in the conversion kit, and the joints that will come on my new arms....

that makes things pretty easy, i was just concerned about differences on my steering connections.... if i go newer will my old steering stuff fit the same? or will i have to make changes there also?

also, im probably going to go 5 lug... is that a good decision?

[68w/sbc406]

i perfer 6 just cause everyone is swaping to 5 but it all works the same. i am going to use all the 81 stuff so i dont have to worry about inner tie rods not fitting, but that does happen. there is an artical that goes off about it. i will see if i can find it

[cysko9]

yah, see if you can find that... i do'nt want to purchase a bunch of stuff and then have problems with it all.... my only concern with the lug stuff was finding rims i want.....

[68w/sbc406]

i already know which ones i want

[cysko9]

very nice.... that is one of the better paint schemes ive seen....
the rims are sweet also...

any luck on finding that article?

[68w/sbc406]

heres some reading for ya
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=sleeves

[grayw0lf]

I am just curious... What is the big deal of 5lug vs. 6lug? The only reason I can see worth changing would be to run the classis Cragar SS wheels.

[68w/sbc406]

the reason alot of people change to 5 lug is for wheels. also there is no factory 1/2 ton 2wd 6 lug rotor, so when you change to front disc you either use stock rotors (5 lug) or buy aftermarket 6 lug rotors for 75 bucks a piece

[cysko9]

thats good enough reason for me......
i plan to keep the truck for a while.....

ok....
heres the final setup....
will it work.....

"73-87 ball joints... proper tie rods included with package... compatible controll arms."
stock power '69 steering....

[68w/sbc406]

from what i have read yeah, havent completed the process yet. working on lowering it at the same time. got to collect those parts now

[cysko9]

k, thanks for the help.....

oh, one more question....

im baggin the front with cool ride from ART. how low will the front go if i go with 2.5" drop spindles?

i don't want the thing slammed but a lowered stance would be nice.

[68w/sbc406]

i would like an answer to that too. i am (thinking about) making my own bag brackets and running a 2inch drop a arm.

[cysko9]

where did you get those pictures you posted earlier?

[68w/sbc406]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=126457