Difference in rear end widths? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

powell72 · 08-15-2005, 06:50 PM

Something way back in the corner of my mind says that '67-mid '69 have a narrower rear than a late '69-72. What are the widths? Am I right on this or have I been eating retard sandwiches again?

**pjmoreland** · 08-15-2005, 06:55 PM

If I remember correctly, they switched from the short to the long in the middle of the '70 model year. I guess that means they only made the 6-lug long axle for half a year?

Longhorn Man · 08-15-2005, 09:28 PM

that is correct, (mid '70) but I can't remember the widths. I think it was 3/8 on each side wider.

Retard sandwich...LOL!

**uncle** · 08-15-2005, 09:57 PM

I think 1 is around 55 1/2" and the other 57". That's from backing plate to backing plate.

cduster · 08-16-2005, 07:58 AM

On a related topic, where might a fella find a set of 5 lug axels for the narrower rear end? I seem to be having a problem getting ahold of a set. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, Dan

Tx Firefighter · 08-16-2005, 08:16 AM

Early Classics sells the 5 lug conversion axles for the earlier rear ends.

cduster · 08-16-2005, 08:44 AM

Hey, Thanks. Gonna have to check them out.

CAJ68 · 08-16-2005, 08:12 PM

I Took Long Axles Out Of A 72 And Put In My 68. They Seem To Fit Fine. Were They Not Supposed To? But The 68 Axles Were To Short For The 72.

Longhorn Man · 08-16-2005, 09:10 PM

well, if the 68 axles are too short for the 72 rear.... how can the 72 axles fin in the 68 rear?

I think i know what you did though, you grabbed some 5 lug drums from a 73 - 87 trucks, which is just wide enough...that or your brake shoes aren't in the drums all the way.
If it is the former, that's a bad idea becouse the portion of the axle that is intended to ride on the bearings is the only hardened part, and it NOT on the bearings in your older axle. That's just asking for a broken axle, and when they go, they can exit the vehicle all together, leaving you on the highway with only 3 tires mounted.
If it is the latter, well, I think it is obviouse what the drawbacks are there.

You need to look at your rear...before somethign bad happens.

70short/step · 08-16-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cduster

On a related topic, where might a fella find a set of 5 lug axels for the narrower rear end? I seem to be having a problem getting ahold of a set. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, Dan

Also you can have your axles redrilled to five lug and have the center turned down to fit the 5 lug drums. Cost should be about $100 at your local machine shop.

CAJ68 · 08-16-2005, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

well, if the 68 axles are too short for the 72 rear.... how can the 72 axles fin in the 68 rear?

I think i know what you did though, you grabbed some 5 lug drums from a 73 - 87 trucks, which is just wide enough...that or your brake shoes aren't in the drums all the way.
If it is the former, that's a bad idea becouse the portion of the axle that is intended to ride on the bearings is the only hardened part, and it NOT on the bearings in your older axle. That's just asking for a broken axle, and when they go, they can exit the vehicle all together, leaving you on the highway with only 3 tires mounted.
If it is the latter, well, I think it is obviouse what the drawbacks are there.

You need to look at your rear...before somethign bad happens.

I TOOK AXLES,DRUMS, BRAKES AND ALL OUT OF 72, NOT 73-87.

Longhorn Man · 08-16-2005, 10:32 PM

then I'd bet a punch in the gut that your shoes aren't tucked into your drums all the way and you are rolling on an non hardened portion of the axles.

CAJ68 · 08-16-2005, 11:09 PM

i double checked. you are right longhorn. i did not realize that when i put them in. i havent drove it, so no harm done. what options do i have now?

Longhorn Man · 08-17-2005, 04:45 AM

swap out the whole rear, or get shorter axles.

68C15 · 08-17-2005, 08:57 AM

and strengthen up your abs. next time Andy see you, you are getting a punch in the gut.

since I just found out about this & I also recently got a '67 (6 lug one legger) I talked to my machine shop. he said for $60 he could re-drill & machine the center for a 5 lug.

CAJ68 · 08-17-2005, 09:32 PM

$60.00 is better than $280.00 for axles from ECE. thanks ill check with a shop here.

Longhorn Man · 08-17-2005, 09:38 PM

The cool thing about betting a punch in the gut...no one ever does it.

08-15-2005, 06:50 PM	#1
powell72 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Loveland Co. Posts: 3,098	Difference in rear end widths? Something way back in the corner of my mind says that '67-mid '69 have a narrower rear than a late '69-72. What are the widths? Am I right on this or have I been eating retard sandwiches again? __________________ Chris 74 Custom Deluxe SWB 350/350/3.73’s 99 2wd Silverado RCSB 5.3/4L60/3.90’s http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...short_bed.html

08-15-2005, 09:57 PM	#4
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,288	Widths I think 1 is around 55 1/2" and the other 57". That's from backing plate to backing plate.

08-16-2005, 07:58 AM	#5
cduster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 403	On a related topic, where might a fella find a set of 5 lug axels for the narrower rear end? I seem to be having a problem getting ahold of a set. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Dan __________________ Good Judgment comes from experience. Most experience comes from bad judgment.

08-16-2005, 08:16 AM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Early Classics sells the 5 lug conversion axles for the earlier rear ends. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

08-16-2005, 08:44 AM	#7
cduster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 403	Hey, Thanks. Gonna have to check them out. __________________ Good Judgment comes from experience. Most experience comes from bad judgment.

08-15-2005, 06:55 PM	#2
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,011	If I remember correctly, they switched from the short to the long in the middle of the '70 model year. I guess that means they only made the 6-lug long axle for half a year?

08-15-2005, 09:28 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	that is correct, (mid '70) but I can't remember the widths. I think it was 3/8 on each side wider. Retard sandwich...LOL!

08-16-2005, 08:12 PM	#8
CAJ68 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 80	I Took Long Axles Out Of A 72 And Put In My 68. They Seem To Fit Fine. Were They Not Supposed To? But The 68 Axles Were To Short For The 72.

08-16-2005, 09:10 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	well, if the 68 axles are too short for the 72 rear.... how can the 72 axles fin in the 68 rear? I think i know what you did though, you grabbed some 5 lug drums from a 73 - 87 trucks, which is just wide enough...that or your brake shoes aren't in the drums all the way. If it is the former, that's a bad idea becouse the portion of the axle that is intended to ride on the bearings is the only hardened part, and it NOT on the bearings in your older axle. That's just asking for a broken axle, and when they go, they can exit the vehicle all together, leaving you on the highway with only 3 tires mounted. If it is the latter, well, I think it is obviouse what the drawbacks are there. You need to look at your rear...before somethign bad happens.

08-16-2005, 10:32 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	then I'd bet a punch in the gut that your shoes aren't tucked into your drums all the way and you are rolling on an non hardened portion of the axles.

08-16-2005, 11:09 PM	#13
CAJ68 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 80	i double checked. you are right longhorn. i did not realize that when i put them in. i havent drove it, so no harm done. what options do i have now?

08-17-2005, 04:45 AM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	swap out the whole rear, or get shorter axles.

08-17-2005, 08:57 AM	#15
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	and strengthen up your abs. next time Andy see you, you are getting a punch in the gut. since I just found out about this & I also recently got a '67 (6 lug one legger) I talked to my machine shop. he said for $60 he could re-drill & machine the center for a 5 lug. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

08-17-2005, 09:32 PM	#16
CAJ68 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 80	$60.00 is better than $280.00 for axles from ECE. thanks ill check with a shop here.

08-17-2005, 09:38 PM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	The cool thing about betting a punch in the gut...no one ever does it.



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