6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

can i put 1971 5 lug rear axles in to my 1965 chevy c-10? i see on napaonline.com they have an axle set with bearings and seals for $174.00. all the conversion kits i've seen are for 1963-1970. 1963-64 need an axle gear set as well. if the conversion works for a 1970, then why can't you just put a 1971 axles in to a 1965 rearend? any advice?

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

I was wondering this a while back and if memory serves me correctly(don't quote me) #1 the reason they say you need side gears is because early models ran 17 spline spider gears and #2 I believe the 71-2 axles (5lug) are wider than the 64-5-6 model rears. I know also 68-69 gmc axles are wider than 64-5-6. You might check on the "70" 5 lug axles I didn't know they had them that year.
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Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

you're probably right... i thought 5 lug came out in 1967 for some reason. guess because of the body change. thanks.

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

5 lug started in '71 as far as I know.

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

CPP has them.
1960-64 Complete 5-lug Rear Axle Conversion, 30-3/4", kit::
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...k/6364RACK.htm
1965-69 Complete 5-lug Rear Axle Conversion, 30-3/4",kit:
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...k/6569RACK.htm

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

I plan on using the following axle shafts on my 65 rear end and then getting 71-72 drums

Clicky

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

i just had my original 65 axles redrilled to 5 lug,drums too, just cost 80 bucks for it all. poor mans way out .

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

You are correct :metal:

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

71 axles are longer than your 65 I do believe

I had my 67 axles redrilled & the center turned down for $50. using 71 & up 5 lug drums

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

I'm guessing the 70 went to a 3/4" longer axles but kept the 6 lug. In 71 they went to 5 lug with the longer axles. CPP lists the 70 axles at 31.5" as compared to the 60-66 axles at 30.75".

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

1970 was the transition year for the width of the rear differentials, Typically the early '70 rear differentials were the narrower version as the prevoius years. The late '70 differentials were 1.5" wider overall (.750 per side) like the '71 and up differentials. That is why you can't use a '71 and up axles in the '63-early '70 differential housing.

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

why dont you just switch the whole housing with axles ? that's what i did on my 63. I took a rear end out of a 72 1/2 ton it bolted right up.

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Some people need the more narrowed axles for our drops/tire size

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Yes,that and try to find a '71-'72 5 lug that isn't 700 miles away LOL
T

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Why not run the 6 lug?
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Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Alot of people like 5 lug for more wheel choices.

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Is it really that cheap? I need to call around!

Captainfab, I have a '66 C10 rear. If I have the axles redrilled, could I use one of your disc conversions? I would like to use the Camaro caliper with built in e-brake.

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Yes you can use the Camaro caliper brackets with redrilled axles, but you would need to have the center register turned down to about 3.06" You know I do have the 6 lug rear disc brackets that utilize the Camaro calipers with a 13" rotor. The drawback to those is that you will need a 16" or bigger wheel.

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

I have a 70 and mines a 6 lug Ll around

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Digging up an old thread here but I have some axles I'm gonna re drill to 5 lug but just wanna make sure they're the right length. I had bought a 12 bolt a while back and used the carrier and pinion so I could get the gears I wanted. I used my old axles and ended up with an extra set. They measure 30 3/4 from the back of the flange to the end of the splines.

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Anybody?

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

I guess if you are just using yours as a daily driver, not as a work truck, not to say that there is anything wrong with that, mine has 8 lugs

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

?? ^^^Doesn't really make sense, or answer my question, or help even. My front is 5 lug since I put disc brakes and I'd like to match the rear to the front so I can run spider caps instead of baby moons. It's a half ton too

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Typically the '63 to early '70 12 bolt axles measure 30.5". So I would say your 30.75" axles are correct, just a little variance in the measuring method.

Re: 6 lug to 5 lug rear axle swap
 

Hi, I just put a mid 80s suburban 308 rear end in my 70 gmc. More info in my build thread on it, I took the 5 lug axles out of it and put the stock 70 gmc 6 lug axles right in there, was a really fast easy swap. My buddy did the exaxt same thing 6 years ago with is 67 chev, still working great,

Have a good week