The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Rear axle (not rear end) swap

Heater63 · 06-21-2010, 02:17 PM

Greg,
you are getting excellent advice here, these guys know their stuff.
I just did this to my '63 and installed a 30 spline posi unit and new aftermarket 5 lug axles.
There is a down dirty and cheap approach, and that would be to redrill your current axles in a five lug pattern?? although I have never done this.
Also, if your 63 axle has pressed on backing plates, you're probably going to want to stay with rear drum brakes, as there are no easy aftermarket approached to hang discs that I found. You would have to remove the backing plate and weld on a flange. I defer to captainfab on this. I stayed with drums on rear for this reason, all you have to do is get drums for a 71 to have the 5 lug pattern that fit on the 63 brakes. It is a much more robust drum with cooling fins too.

06-21-2010, 02:17 PM	#7
Heater63 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: N Texas Posts: 580	Re: Rear axle (not rear end) swap - 6 lug to 5 lug Greg, you are getting excellent advice here, these guys know their stuff. I just did this to my '63 and installed a 30 spline posi unit and new aftermarket 5 lug axles. There is a down dirty and cheap approach, and that would be to redrill your current axles in a five lug pattern?? although I have never done this. Also, if your 63 axle has pressed on backing plates, you're probably going to want to stay with rear drum brakes, as there are no easy aftermarket approached to hang discs that I found. You would have to remove the backing plate and weld on a flange. I defer to captainfab on this. I stayed with drums on rear for this reason, all you have to do is get drums for a 71 to have the 5 lug pattern that fit on the 63 brakes. It is a much more robust drum with cooling fins too. __________________ 292 + TKO500