6 lug to 5 lug conversion, 10 bolt rear

[readymix]

Can I take the shafts and brake drums from a 5 lug and install them into a 6 lug housing?

 

[b454rat]

Pretty sure the old man and I did this to an 84 2wd he had. Truck had 2.73s, got a rear that had 3.73 grenade lock, just swapped the shafts out..

 

[toomany]

They should swap over just fine. You might have to swap the backing plate/brake shoes if the axles have differnt size rear brakes (11", 11 5/32").

 

[readymix]

we will know for sure by the end of the day. I'm in the middle of the swap right now
And thanks go out to mr. Smartass for the axle.

 

[blazin_blazer]

i believe its a simple shaft swap, i did a 12 bolt that way, have a 69 k5 that had 5 lug rear and a 68 c10 that i converted to 5 lug and i pulled the covers, the crossshaft pushed axles in pulled c-clips and swapped the shafts,put it all back together, now the 69 has 6 lug as it should have and the 68 has 5 lug, glad it worked out b/c the 68 c10 has a special housing for the panhard bar...up front i swapped a 79 frontend into it crossmember and all, just had to drill a few holes. stops so much better than 4 drums...the 69 k5 still a work in progress, it was going to be a mall cruiser and i'm now thinking of going 2wd w/it on a c10 frame which has coils at all 4 corners and bagging it...heres what i see in my head

i have the 68 front end even...or more practical

please don't hate me...i wasn't going to wheel it anyway

 

[jonathon]

That blue one is very nice. The black is too, but I don't care for the layin' frame look.

 

[blazerboss 85]

i believe its a simple shaft swap, i did a 12 bolt that way, have a 69 k5 that had 5 lug rear and a 68 c10 that i converted to 5 lug and i pulled the covers, the crossshaft pushed axles in pulled c-clips and swapped the shafts,put it all back together, now the 69 has 6 lug as it should have and the 68 has 5 lug, glad it worked out b/c the 68 c10 has a special housing for the panhard bar...up front i swapped a 79 frontend into it crossmember and all, just had to drill a few holes. stops so much better than 4 drums...the 69 k5 still a work in progress, it was going to be a mall cruiser and i'm now thinking of going 2wd w/it on a c10 frame which has coils at all 4 corners and bagging it...heres what i see in my head

i have the 68 front end even...or more practical

please don't hate me...i wasn't going to wheel it anyway

what paint was used in the flat black truck i like how smooth it looks

 

[readymix]

it didn't work. Different splines and diameter. Fock

 

[JDNobodi]

it didn't work. Different splines and diameter. Fock

Which axle had the 30 spline stuff? The 6 lug one?

 

[blazin_blazer]

couldn't you have swapped the spider gears to make the spline count fit?

i believe that black truck is just primer...b/c i have this pic and i'm pretty sure its the same truck painted silver,...

 

[mr.smartass]

So... bump... I see you're on and instead of a text I figured I'd just ask on here what the plan was.

 

[readymix]

Custom machined shafts from Moser. Just have to take a few measurements first.

The ****ty part is that I will be in CA when the shafts come in, so I will have to explain over the phone how to rebuild the axle. I think it will go pretty well up until we get to the drum brakes.

 

[mr.smartass]

So you're still going to use the axle you got from me? Is that cheaper then fixing his with the cost of custom shafts? What about switching the spider gears someone mentioned?

 

[blazerboss 85]

i think this would be worth a shot i cannot see why it wouldnt work

 

[readymix]

The shafts from Moser were installed yesterday.

The spider swap wouldn't have worked for a few reasons.
1. The spiders were bad, and the pinion shaft was shot
2. The new axle had a tru-trac installed

 

[mr.smartass]

So he's on the road now? Or does he still have to put the axle under the truck?

 

[readymix]

I fisished his truck about 1:30am so he should have made it to his house in Pensacola this morning. Not sure though. I am in Atlanta right now.

Pm me your address so we can pay you.

 

[USSkoval]

So to recap, the only reason the splines were different was because of the production date? And the only reason the different splined axles couldn't be used, was because the matching spider gears were toast? Or is the carrier different too?

So if all parts are good, and both axles are '87-prior (28 spline?), should the 6 lug/5 lug swap be possible?

 

[77crewcab]

So to recap, the only reason the splines were different was because of the production date? And the only reason the different splined axles couldn't be used, was because the matching spider gears were toast? Or is the carrier different too?

So if all parts are good, and both axles are '87-prior (28 spline?), should the 6 lug/5 lug swap be possible?

Been wondering the same thing. I have a 3.73 6 lug axle from an 89 I want to put under my 90 and convert to 5 lug. So if I swap axles and spiders as a set it should work right?

 

[broncoman6524]

Yes, the 8.5 ten bolts all had the same length shafts. And only 2 different spline counts, one was 28, the other 30. If they do end up being different (shafts/spiders) then just swap the spiders out.

It's very easy to do, easily less than one hour. IF the center pin bolt is not broke.