5 or 6 Lug -- More Confused

[gregw98]

I searched and am more confused than ever. My inline six is shot, but I have a 350/350 ready to go in my '54. So this means I have to get a different rear end. I located a 95, S-10, 4x4 diff. It is a 5 on 4.75. My new 15x8 wheels have 4 inch backspacing, which tells me by my research, that these will not fit. Plus with sticking with the front straight axle, I would want that also to be 5 on 4.75. Is there a hub and drum that would be a direct replace to a 5 lug?
Plan B
If I decide to stay with a six lug, I have a set of 15x8.5 slotted aluminum wheels. Haven't checked for clearance yet, but I am still at a dilemma of finding a different 6 lug rear end, to match my stock front.
I need some guidance on which way to go, I'm lost.

[robin58]

There's a ton of kits out there for the front to convert it to discs with 5 x 4.75" which to be honest would be advisable instead of sticking with the drum not least because of the bearing upgrade you'll get with kits like say:

EG http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...s/4754CBK5.htm

Or you can piece it all together from your local FLAPS and other stores

[booger1949]

glad to c u join this site, old friend

[itstheshu]

You can use the front hubs off of an early 50's Chevy car to get 5 lugs.

[mr48chev]

54 Car hubs will work on the front if you want to stay with drum brakes. You may get away with using the truck backing plates but the earlier trucks have to switch backing plates for the car backing plates.

I ran a mid/late 60's car rear axle under my 48 for a few years with similar rear wheels. They are just enough wider than the Camaro/Nova rear axles to get the tires out clear of the bed but not so wide that they cause the tires to rub on the fenders. One of those with the right gears might not be the easiest to find now though. You have to cut lots of brackets off them to use them with leaf springs too.

[gregw98]

Thanks guys, thought I would love to go with the Mustang II set up, for now I am considering Speedway Motors Front disc brake conversion kit. This, along with a 95 S-10 Blazer 4x4 rear axle.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Deluxe...ckup,4622.html
Is anyone here using this type of set up? I would like to lower the front end a few inches and since I am going to need King Pin replacement/rebuild, I think that I should remove the front axle and remove a leaf. Now which one should I remove?
Ya'll bear with me while I get my feet wet on Chevy trucks. I know old cars and I know Chevys, just never had one of their trucks. But I do now and am learning
Thanks so much.

[sweet70beast]

I am doing that same set up with my 53 Burb. I took the bottom 2 springs (shortest one's) off of all 4 corners. I don"t have a motor or trans in it yet but it did drop it a little so far. I used a 4x4 rear from an 88 S10, it is just a touch shorter than I'd like but the price for the axle was in my price range (free).