1st timer in need of some help? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vasquezmrysvll · 10-30-2008, 11:15 PM

will my stock 5 lug axles fit in a stock 6 lug rear end? i just bought a 71 swb chevy frankinstein. thanks

hugger6933 · 10-31-2008, 06:31 AM

I think the axles are diferent lengths so, my vote would be no. I have a 5 lug rear and a 6 lug rear out at my shop I will take a tape and see. Jim

vasquezmrysvll · 10-31-2008, 09:23 AM

i would really appreciate that.-art

cdowns · 10-31-2008, 09:26 AM

it depends on the year of the 6lug//i think 69-70 will swap into 71-72// 67-68 wont

sneakysnake · 10-31-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

it depends on the year of the 6lug//i think 69-70 will swap into 71-72// 67-68 wont

I believe its just the mid to late 70's that were the same width as the 71-72.

The older ones are narrower,just swap out the whole rearend.

Rreemo · 10-31-2008, 03:06 PM

I've done this one before myself - as said above, 69-70 are the same length as 71-72, but 67-68 are different.

I'd also vote to just swap the whole rearend...it's not bad at all to do, especially if you have some air tools.

Longhorn Man · 10-31-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rreemo

I've done this one before myself - as said above, 69-70 are the same length as 71-72, but 67-68 are different.

no.
mid 70... actually more of early to mid 70 from what I've seen.
If you have a 6 lug rear, odds are, it isn't gonna work.
Some one on here will have the widths and post them... I can't remember off the top of my head and can't find my notes. (someone has been diggin through my desk again)

02gmc5.3 · 10-31-2008, 04:47 PM

69-72 are the same width, I just checked. This thread caught my eye since I planned on swapping the 3.73 ratio out of the 69 in place of the factory 3.08 rear.

PanelDeland · 10-31-2008, 04:56 PM

Andy,you stay out of LHM's desk!!!!

Longhorn Man · 10-31-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02gmc5.3

69-72 are the same width, I just checked. This thread caught my eye since I planned on swapping the 3.73 ratio out of the 69 in place of the factory 3.08 rear.

Where did you get this info? There's been many many documented (On here and other boards) 1970 rear ends that are the narrow ones.
Also, dod you just slide them in, and put the wider drum on there? If so, you are riding a long axle that is sticking out of the housing too far and a non hardened surface on the bearings.
it ain't fun when a wheel falls off due to a broken axle... esp the rear.

02gmc5.3 · 10-31-2008, 05:29 PM

I have a 69 GMC as well as a 71 and 72 chevy, I measured center to center on the tires. The wheels all have the same offset so its a true comparison.

hugger6933 · 10-31-2008, 05:29 PM

I didn't feel like crawling under the 70 to measure but, the 68 is 55.25 from hub to huband the 71 is 57.25 hub to hub. That doesn't help you much and if you don't get an answer over the weekend, I'll measure the 70 on monday. Jim

02gmc5.3 · 10-31-2008, 05:47 PM

My 69 is around 57" flange to flange and the 71 is around 58". It's possible that the 69s rear came out of a newer truck but I'm really not sure.

Rreemo · 11-01-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

no.
mid 70... actually more of early to mid 70 from what I've seen.
If you have a 6 lug rear, odds are, it isn't gonna work.
Some one on here will have the widths and post them... I can't remember off the top of my head and can't find my notes. (someone has been diggin through my desk again)

Yes.
I put a set of 72 axles in a 69' SWB.....I'm pretty certain it was the original rearend for the truck. Everything worked out perfectly...no issues.

Are you saying it was a fluke?

Longhorn Man · 11-01-2008, 09:25 PM

Either it didn't go as perfect as you think, or it wasn't the original rear end.
As measured from backing plate to backing plate, early 70 and older was 56 inches, late 70 and up is 57 1/2 inches.

low'n slow · 11-01-2008, 11:11 PM

I agree with LHM. Having purchased a 67 with 5 lug axles and seeing the drum on only half of the shoe, I had to swap the whole thing out. But I just put 5 lug axles in my 70 Jimmy with no issues. It was a later build and had the wider rear end.

Longhorn Man · 11-01-2008, 11:21 PM

and if the drums off a 67 - 87 are used, they cover the whole shoe... but the axle shaft is still too far out of the housing.

10-30-2008, 11:15 PM	#1
vasquezmrysvll "the other guy" Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Olivehurst California 95961 Posts: 901	1st timer in need of some help? will my stock 5 lug axles fit in a stock 6 lug rear end? i just bought a 71 swb chevy frankinstein. thanks

10-31-2008, 06:31 AM	#2
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,263	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? I think the axles are diferent lengths so, my vote would be no. I have a 5 lug rear and a 6 lug rear out at my shop I will take a tape and see. Jim

10-31-2008, 09:23 AM	#3
vasquezmrysvll "the other guy" Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Olivehurst California 95961 Posts: 901	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? i would really appreciate that.-art

10-31-2008, 09:26 AM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? it depends on the year of the 6lug//i think 69-70 will swap into 71-72// 67-68 wont __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-31-2008, 03:06 PM	#6
Rreemo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: North Texas Posts: 179	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? I've done this one before myself - as said above, 69-70 are the same length as 71-72, but 67-68 are different. I'd also vote to just swap the whole rearend...it's not bad at all to do, especially if you have some air tools. __________________ 72' LWB Cheyenne 73' Camaro Z28/RS 70' Chevelle RagTop 00=ss=00

10-31-2008, 04:47 PM	#8
02gmc5.3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Virgilina, Va Posts: 9	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? 69-72 are the same width, I just checked. This thread caught my eye since I planned on swapping the 3.73 ratio out of the 69 in place of the factory 3.08 rear.

10-31-2008, 04:56 PM	#9
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? Andy,you stay out of LHM's desk!!!! __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

10-31-2008, 05:29 PM	#11
02gmc5.3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Virgilina, Va Posts: 9	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? I have a 69 GMC as well as a 71 and 72 chevy, I measured center to center on the tires. The wheels all have the same offset so its a true comparison.

10-31-2008, 05:47 PM	#13
02gmc5.3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Virgilina, Va Posts: 9	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? My 69 is around 57" flange to flange and the 71 is around 58". It's possible that the 69s rear came out of a newer truck but I'm really not sure.

11-01-2008, 09:25 PM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? Either it didn't go as perfect as you think, or it wasn't the original rear end. As measured from backing plate to backing plate, early 70 and older was 56 inches, late 70 and up is 57 1/2 inches.

11-01-2008, 11:11 PM	#16
low'n slow Too Dumb To Know Better Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 882	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? I agree with LHM. Having purchased a 67 with 5 lug axles and seeing the drum on only half of the shoe, I had to swap the whole thing out. But I just put 5 lug axles in my 70 Jimmy with no issues. It was a later build and had the wider rear end.

11-01-2008, 11:21 PM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 1st timer in need of some help? and if the drums off a 67 - 87 are used, they cover the whole shoe... but the axle shaft is still too far out of the housing.



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