61 rear end question

[bowtieguy61]

my 61 has a rear end with a 3rd member and the diff cover is almost perfectly round with 10 bolts. it has6 lug axles. what is the name for this rear end?? and does anyone how if there is a 5 lug axle that will swap into it?

[Imperial Kustom]

It is the old school Eaton 12 bolt. It is impossible to find parts for these. Nothing is made aftermarket except very little, and there are no 5 lug axles available unless you have someone like Currie or Moser make some. I Professionally rebuild rearends and own a '62, so I have learned a thing or two about this rear. Swap to a later '63-'68 (narrower), or '69-'72 (wider), and a whole world of goodies opens up to you.

[bowtieguy61]

thanks, i have a 12 bolt from a 82 c-10 that is 5 lug, how much wider is it than the stock axle?

[badpeanut]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy61

thanks, i have a 12 bolt from a 82 c-10 that is 5 lug, how much wider is it than the stock axle?

'82 is the same width as '70-'72 (I'm interested in the '69-'72 comment--which width is '69?). Difference is about 3/4" per side?

'73-ups are only available for leafs, staggered shocks, bumpstops on the frame, and have wider spring perches.

I'm not a '60-'66 expert, but I've done a number of leaf spring rearend swaps on '67-'72 and '73-up trucks.

Is your '61 leafs or coils?

[bowtieguy61]

my 61 is coil, but im well versed with a torch and welder to slice off the old pads and add the new ones and panhard bar mount. i can deal with the 3/4" per side with backspacing when i get ready to buy wheels. thanks!