Swapping axles question?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BarryB · 09-19-2006, 08:45 PM

Can I swap the axles out of 72 1/2 ton diff. into a 69 1/2 diff. I am curious if I can do a simple axle swap. Or am I going to have to get the 69 axle and drums drilled for the 5 lug set up?? I am putting the front discs from the 72 on a 69 frame. wondering because the 72 has leaf springs. 69 doesn't.

**Boog** · 09-19-2006, 08:59 PM

Probably not. The 71-72 rears are about 1 1/2" inches wider than the 69's meaning longer axles. Some 70 yr rears were wider and the 71-72 axles will swap out with them. Done that one.
Measure the width of each rear end between the brake backing plates to be sure. You could still install the 72 rear in your coil truck with an aftermarket panhard bar and swap out the leaf spring pads for the coil rear pads.

Jim_PA · 09-20-2006, 06:49 AM

I swapped axles, and it wasn't that big of a deal. You will need 73+ drums since they are wide enough to take up the 3/4" difference in width.

The axles ride on the opposite edge of the bearing surface than it used to, but it feels OK going down the road.

Aarons72s · 09-20-2006, 07:33 AM

Same as Jim PA. I put five lug axles out of a 70's truck in a 67 12 bolt. They stick out further than the old six lug but seem to contact the bearings al right. Use orginal backing plates, shoes and hardware with 2 3/4'' x 11-5/32"brake drums from 74-87 chevy truck. Hope this helps. Good luck.

09-19-2006, 08:45 PM	#1
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Swapping axles question?? Can I swap the axles out of 72 1/2 ton diff. into a 69 1/2 diff. I am curious if I can do a simple axle swap. Or am I going to have to get the 69 axle and drums drilled for the 5 lug set up?? I am putting the front discs from the 72 on a 69 frame. wondering because the 72 has leaf springs. 69 doesn't.

09-19-2006, 08:59 PM	#2
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,453	Re: Swapping axles question?? Probably not. The 71-72 rears are about 1 1/2" inches wider than the 69's meaning longer axles. Some 70 yr rears were wider and the 71-72 axles will swap out with them. Done that one. Measure the width of each rear end between the brake backing plates to be sure. You could still install the 72 rear in your coil truck with an aftermarket panhard bar and swap out the leaf spring pads for the coil rear pads. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross Last edited by Boog; 09-19-2006 at 09:03 PM.

09-20-2006, 06:49 AM	#3
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Swapping axles question?? I swapped axles, and it wasn't that big of a deal. You will need 73+ drums since they are wide enough to take up the 3/4" difference in width. The axles ride on the opposite edge of the bearing surface than it used to, but it feels OK going down the road. Last edited by Jim_PA; 09-20-2006 at 06:50 AM.

09-20-2006, 07:33 AM	#4
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,670	Re: Swapping axles question?? Same as Jim PA. I put five lug axles out of a 70's truck in a 67 12 bolt. They stick out further than the old six lug but seem to contact the bearings al right. Use orginal backing plates, shoes and hardware with 2 3/4'' x 11-5/32"brake drums from 74-87 chevy truck. Hope this helps. Good luck.



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