Later Model Axle

[Crank]

Would an axle from a later year chevy truck, like a 12 bolt, work under a 67? Are they the same length? If you took the spring perches off the axle and added whatever you needed to put it under one would it work or would it be wider? Thanks.
Brandon

[minibike]

I believe they are longer. I know for a fact that the 71 axles are longer than the 69 ones.

[Crank]

Well could you just find a rim with more back spacing and have it work together? I mean, if i could find a say 78 with a 12 bolt, could I use it? What is a good axle to use? with readily available parts and good durability.
Brandon.

[mikep]

I guess the bigger question would be ...why would you want to?

Not everyone has 3/4 tons do they. I love Dana 60's!

[Fast68Chevy]

well this gets complicated in short order, but all 12 bolt of all years(64-81 production years) are all damn near the same width


64-69 are 55.5" back plate to back plate

70-72 are 57"

73-up are 56.25 plus or minus a 1/4"

and to add to the fun there are 76-79 trucks that are Big 10 (CHEVY)and Heavy Half models(GMC) that have 3/4" wider brakes so you can add 1.5" to the overall width, yet the shafts themselves are same as all 70-up 12 bolt shafts

4x4 and 2wd dont differ cept for lugs count and diamter

64-70 2wd and 4x4 all use 7/16" studs, and all 4x4 all years use 7/16" studs and most RWD cars do also.

station wagons and some large cars with BB engines and diesel 350 engine and all 9C1 cars use 1/2" truck studs and brakes including truck rotors and drums(11x2")


good luck

[minibike]

Here is a picture of how a 71 axle in a 69 housing with 69 backing plate looks with a 74 drum (2-3/4" drum with 2" 69 pads inside) The drum closes the gap that would be there if the 71 drum was used.

[Crank]

Well, the reason why is because later model rear ends are more readily available, and the parts would also be easier to get. So thats my reason, hell, would a 10 bolt with a posi and good gears do okay, or for a smoother look; a f@rd 9", would it be okay. Besides the f@rd thing.

[tom hand]

Yes it will work fine, if you don't mind a little welding. For leaf springs it is just a matter of having the perches in the correct place. For coil springs Chevy Duty sells a kit just for that reason and if your handy with a torch you could look at the picture and make your own.

[jay-dawg]

isnt that the same kit in the ECE catalog?

jay

[Crank]

Well, If there is that little of difference would it really matter? When I got the axle installed and I went to get rims I could just then measure the backspacing right? I don't see any complications, I'm thinking about, does anyone know where to get a big brake kit for about a 78 year truck? But still which should I go with? 12 bolt, 10 bolt, 9"?
Brandon

[Crank]

Also Minibike, I don't understand what you did??? So you used a wider rotor with skinnier pads so there wouldn't be a gap? Please enlighten me please? Thanks everyone for your help!!!
Brandon

[minibike]

My truck originally had 11" x 2" drums on the rear. When I put the 71 axles in the rear housing, they were about 9/16" longer than the original 6 lug axles. With a stock 11" x 2" 5 lug drum, there was a gap between the backing plate and the drum. (You could see the pad, and the pad was 1/2 on the drum and 1/2 off. I happened to have had a 74 drum (11.15" x 2.75"), and tried it. It made up the extra distance from the end of the axle to the backing plate perfectly. I'm not sure if a 74 is required. It may also be HD brakes for 71/72.

Greg

[Crank]

Oh, okay that was what I was looking for; I didn't know why you needed a wider drum. I would like to run a later model axle and maybe big drums or a big brake disc kit. Any companies make em that anyone knows? Thanks Everyone.
Brandon

[mikep]

I still say your best all around rear end with the absolute best parts availability and interchangeability is the good old Dana 60. Ive never paid more than $100 for a complete Dana 60 with either posi or a locker and thweyre strong as a bull.

My 68 C20 has a locker out of a 62 dodge. My 69 camaro has a locker out of a 69 Ford. My last cougar had a 4.10 posi dana 60 out of a 71 chevy truck, My last 67 camaro had a locker dana out of a 68 charger. I could go on for a while. Dana is your best best .