6 lug axle swap 59 Apache 3200

[Texasdeere]

Wondering if a 6 lug GM rear truck axle, 2.73 to 3.07 ratio, is the same or very close width match to my 59's rear axle? Any ideas? or no such thing? Thinking the E-brake cables might be fun to deal with too.

Just wanting to know if this was a good fit or not. I know most of the 67/70 C10's are going to be coil spring rears. I would like to keep the 6 lug wheels and thought a 12 bolt truck rear end with the 3.07 gears would make a nice fit if I could find one out of a leaf spring truck. Is cutting off the coil spring stuff going to be a problem?

Maybe a later model GM Truck K10 rear axle would work? I know most people go the 5 lug route with Camaro and S10 stuff. Just hoping some one has done a six lug before.

I have never done anything like this before.

Let me know what you think,

Thanks

[T Hilde]

Aren't the '73 up 4X4 a six bolt wheel? That would give you a leaf spring mount pad.

[Texasdeere]

I think all the 70's & 80's K10s are 6 lug. Just not sure on the width drum to drum?

[OrrieG]

My truck has a 74 4wd K10 6 lug front and rear. It bolted up to the stock springs. Here is a photo of it with stock 74 16" wheels. Tires are 29" in diameter. Ebrakes just require relocating the brackets that hold the cables at the frame, no big deal. It sits 4" higher than stock.

[Texasdeere]

That is great! Thanks OrrieG!

Anything special with the driveshafts?

For some reason I always thought your truck was a Napco. I like how you used the 74 components and kept your stock frame and suspension. Looks totally stock.

[OrrieG]

I used the stock 74 front driveline to locate the transfer case/transmission and engine. The rear driveline was from a long bed so it was shortened to fit. Engine ended up with about 1.5" clearance from the valve covers to firewall. I fabricated front mounts from 1/2" steel plate to use the stock front mounts. Rear mount uses the stock 74 one between the tranfrer and transmission with side extension to attach to the side rails. Only big problem is interterence between the torque converter cover and stock crossmember. I may be solving that with the sawsall this winter.

[Texasdeere]

Looking at your latest build thread I know you have added power steering, but how did you hook up the old manual steering to the 74 front axle?

[OrrieG]

If i remember correctly a 1980 1-ton VAN (chevy) tierod end had the same threads as the 74 pitman arm and cone dimensions to fit the stock steering arm. I still have it somewhere, I can dig it out and see if it has a part number on it. I remember taking the stock steering arm and 74 idler to the local front end shop parts counter and the guy took some measurements and found what I needed in the MOOG catalog. Be forewarned that the stock box cannot take the stress of the 4wd set up. I strong arm drove it daily from 85 to 98 and at the end the stock box had all the adjustment I could get out of it and the steering had about 1/8 turn freeplay when sitting still. There is a thread here that uses a later model chevy truck (mid 90's) ps box that mounts in the stock location that I think is a better set up, but I'm too far into my build to change now. Others have used Jeep units and converted to cross over steering too.

[Texasdeere]

Thanks Again,

Seems to be a lot of early and mid 70's K5 Blazers around here. They all have Dana 44 fronts and GM 12 bolts out back. Most of them seem to have 3.08 gears too.