5 lug axles in 6 lug diff....

[kidatheart]

I am new here and have my first question. I am sure it has been covered many times, but I obviously missed it. I have worked on these ole' trucks for thirty years or more, and am starting on a '68 chev. The guy I got it from had done lots of work, including swapping the front to 5-lug disc. He also gave me axles and drums to convert the rear to 5 lug also. All of my past experience has taught me this doesn't work. My question: are there any 5 lug axles out there that will work in the 6 lug differential, or, as I have in the past, do I need to swap out the complete differential? The axles I have are too long. Thanks for the help!

[67swb72klb]

some have them re-drilled for 5 lug wheels

[chevyman68]

Hello. I am first into post thread. I really enjoy read lot of posts and i learned lot of things between 1967-1972 trucks. I just bought 68 truck not long ago and I learned abt those axles. I learned that 67 and 68 are shorter housing and axles and 69-72 are longer. What I did was to bought complete axle/housing from 1972 and swap differential with ring and pinion (if diff ratio). It works real good. Hope the info helps.

[lolife99]

67-69 rearends are the same width.
71-72 rerends are approximately 1.5" wider. (3/4" per side)

The 1970 model trucks could be either.
Some had the narrow 67-69 width rearend.
Some had the wider 71-72 width rearend.
But all '67-'70 rearends were 6-lug.

(all 71-72 rearends were 5-lug)

[big d's red67]

Yes there are 5lug conversion axles to go in your 6lug diff. I have some in my 67. You can get them from POL a vender on here or CPP or even your local rearend shop.

[kidatheart]

Thanks! I see if I can find those vendors. I would like to be able to use the diff that is in the truck already-it is low mileage and quiet(and it is already in the truck!). Thanks again.

[kidatheart]

I searched POL in the vendors, and didn't get any results. What does it stand for? thanks again.

[Clyde65]

performance on line

www.performanceonline.com/

[kidatheart]

Thanks-I will check it out!

[andrewmp6]

Or look on http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx just search 5 lug

[kidatheart]

I will give that a try. Thanks!

[djinva]

The rear went out on my 71 and I found an older one laying around. I had a buddy who works at a machine shop weld up the holes and redrill them for 5 lug. I used my old drums and put in longer studs because as stated here the older rears are narrower. I used wheel spacers. I didnt spend much and it works fine.

[54Caddy]

what about using the early rear end from 60-66 do those work also how much narrower are they??

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

what about using the early rear end from 60-66 do those work also how much narrower are they??

They're the same width from 63-70 w/the exceptions mentiond for the late 70 built units.

[chevyman68]

How about pullapart.com? Should have place in north area. U pull part urself and costs very CHEAP!!!! Can go to that website and check inventory on 67 - 72 chevy trucks. Have one near my place and that place is my junk heaven.

[lolife99]

Just remember if you convert a pre-'65 rearend to 5-lug,... you will need to swap out the spider gears to use the new 5-lug axles.
This adds to the cost of things.
http://www.performanceonline.com/196...IDER-GEAR-SET/

Might be cheaper to start with a 65-69 housing (if you want the narrow version),... or a 71-72 housing, that is 5-lug already.

[54Caddy]

okay thanks for clarifing that. Now i cant hunt for an early model rear end. Im sure i have one available from a gmc 6 lug but it is leaf spring rear end. Think the mounts would be in the same location on a 73-87??

[kidatheart]

Thanks for all of the replies, help, info, and ideas!

[djinva]

The track bar is longer on the pre 67 rear, as it mounts on the axle tube. You will have to use the track bar that came with the rear.

[hungarian1964]

I know a lot of guys will cry about this,but I just used a set of Wheel Adapters, 6 to 5 lug, there 2" Thick and that helped me space my wheel out. Over a year now and do not have any problems. $130- plus new drums, but they needed to be changed any way.

[michael bustamante]

if you look youll notice the disk front end tires stick out more than the rear. so converting the 67-69 axle to 5 lug isint an option for everyone. 71-72 rear end is the way to go. no a 1970 rear end might be what youre looking for. most 1970 rear ends are as long as a 71-72 but will still be 6 lug so you can just swap out your axles no problem. be sure and measure though before you buy. some 1970 rear ends are stil 56" backing plate to plate like the 67-69 rear ends