cheap 5 lug conversion

[z400rider8787]

ive got a 70 GMC and i need to convert the rear to 5 lug to match the 71 disc brake set up i put in the front. does anyone know where i can get a cheap kit. im also gonna be converting from leafs to coils so would it be more cost effective to just get a rear end out of a coil truck>?

[jbristo67]

Thats what I did painless enough

[lofly'a]

and another good thing about that swap is that the trailing arm crossmember is already there, so everything is a bolt-on deal.

[Slick67]

Just take out the axle and have the six lug redrilled for 5 lug and the center will need to be turned so the diameter is correct. You will find other threads that offer the same advise. Good Luck!

[z400rider8787]

Im gonna be pumping some horsepower through these though.... about 700 when i push the button, wont re-drilling them weaken them? or would something else break first? and if its alright for this much power where could i get this done? and do i need exact measurments to give them?

[Slick67]

Ummm......700hp. Yeah, that won't work for you. Check out this rearend article it may help you with a decision, 3rd page first article is good info for us swingarm or trailing arm builders.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ght/index.html

[mr48chev]

The least expensive way would be to get everything out of a coil spring 71/72 C-10.

Dutchman's in Portland http://www.dutchmanms.com/ can redrill your axles or make new ones but if you are going from leaves to springs I'd just swap rear ends and not do all the welding on the axle housing that it would take to swap mounts.

[BossHogg69]

I agree with Slick67 - 'cheap' axles and 700hp will not co-exist for very long unless you have really skinny tires that have no hope of ever catching traction. If you 'hit the button' and catch traction, those stock axles and probably the carrier will be scattered all over the street/track. for example, a buddy of mine has a '77 C10 swb with a 454 (no spray, n/a 450hp), and decided to run it at the track with some ET street slicks (he'd been running plain radial street tires for years) and broke his stock rearend carrier completely in two doing a dry hop before staging.

[jgh64pkup]

go with some moser axles and redrill your drums

[lts70]

I got my 5 lug axles from summit racing for a little over $90 a piece and they are suppose to be a stronger axle than stock.

[lts70]

Here is a previous thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=326098

[z400rider8787]

where would i go about getting these moser axles? are they pretty strong? do you have a part # for those axles by any chance? the ones from summit. how can i beef up my carrier? because it seems to me like if i beef up the axles they carrier will be the weak link. what i think im gonna do is just buy a cheap set of 5 lug axles and just get some brakes from a 71-up or redrill my drums. then whatever breaks first ill replace with something strong.

BTW lts70 i love your motto... thats me too, im building my motor, doing all the body work, i do my own tranny, i paint, i troubleshoot, i do it all. the only thing i am gonna pay for is machine work/upolstry, because sewing is for girls lol

[BossHogg69]

The moser axles are hell for strong, as for the carrier, if you get a used rearend, more than likely you'll get an open diff (one wheeled burnouts...), or if you do find one with a GM posi, it will probably need to be rebuilt (new posi clutches). If you're doing the axles, you'll want a posi differential/carrier - Auburn Limited Slip, Eaton Posi Trac, Detroit Locker etc... There's really no sense in putting money down on a good set of axles and using an open differential. One thing to consider is if you do break an axle at speed with a C-clip (GM 10/12 bolt) rearend, the axles can/will come out of the housing and that would be a helluva mess to deal with going down the road.

[jgh64pkup]

IMO it would be cheaper to put a ford 9in in it
thats what im going to do
for the 12 bolt you would have to buy axles c clip eliminators new dif
on the 9 in its easier to change out the gears doesnt have c clips
the only thing it wouldn't match your bolt pattern

[fishingjred73]

you can get axles for the ford 9" with any bolt pattern you want from STRANGE AXLES (ENGINEERING) Can't remember exact name for sure. If your going to have 700HP the 9" is definately the way to go. Their almost bulletproof.

[VDOG]

Originally Posted by lts70

I got my 5 lug axles from summit racing for a little over $90 a piece and they are suppose to be a stronger axle than stock.

Ditto!!!
I bought the kit from Summit axles and drums for my 69 for a bit over 200 dollars. Save a lot of time and pain.

[PanelDeland]

Ford 9" or Aftermarket if you want to be sure.

[lolife99]

3 year old thread.
I bet he has it figured out by now,...