Axles - will they swap??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Charlie Coleman · 01-07-2004, 06:22 PM

Just for informational purposes (per a conversation I had and didn't know the answer to).

Are the rear axles inter-changeable between a 5 lug '72 axle and a 6 lug '70 axle? Meaning, can I just swap axles between these two years, or any '67-'72 for that matter?

Thanks for helping my curiosity.

1969 GMC · 01-07-2004, 06:53 PM

from what i have picked up reading this board, the 67-70 12 bolt and the 71-72 12 bolt are different widths, and it wouldn't be ideal to swap directly one for the other. but, i have heard that you can take the 6 lug axle shafts out of a late '70 model and put in some 5 luggers from a newer axle. hope this helps, and I know more people will chime in here to fill in my many gaps...

da-burb · 01-07-2004, 07:56 PM

Chances are excellent that you can swap them with the 70. It was in the 69 model year that they widened the racking width.

dinnut · 01-07-2004, 08:28 PM

ive heard it was midyear 70 they changed it... because some 70s had the wider and some didnt! tx firefighter told me this!

kaycee · 01-07-2004, 08:31 PM

Wait a minute I just did this swap with a 69 coil soring set-up and no they don't just swap out.My 72 axle was 3/4" wider on each side,I made a 3/4" spacer for each side allso used the wider drum from the 72.I was going to do this same swap on my 70 and it is the same as the 69.A board member told me that they widened the rear in 70 ???Hope this helps I thought this was going to be a direct swap allso but found out other wise, just my luck

J.Lance · 01-08-2004, 01:30 AM

All the info. I've ever been given, the axles will not swap and the diffs became wider in 71 (suppose it could have been mid year 70). I've also been told to take the six lug axles out, have a good shop weld the old holes and relocate with a five lug pattern. It has been done with some success but I don't have any personal experience. One guy told me it cost him about $50/axle to have it done. Of course you'd have to come up with the 5 lug drums as well. If I get a chance I'll take some actual measurements between the backing plates on the '70 and '71 and relay the info.

Longhorn Man · 01-08-2004, 01:41 AM

Yes, some time mid year 70, they went to the wider axle. If you have a 70, you can try it and see if they are the same size.
60 - 69 had the narrow style.

Charlie Coleman · 01-08-2004, 10:55 AM

Thanks for all your responses.

boraxman · 01-08-2004, 11:33 AM

Yes my 70 had the wider rear end threw a posi and some 5 lug axles on there...good to

swdobbs · 01-08-2004, 01:41 PM

I put axles out of an '76, the only hiccup I had was that my '70 had 2" wide drums/shoes and the drums off the donor truck were 2 - 3/4", my simple solution was to find a set of 11x2 drums off an late '70s impala.

swdobbs

Bamm · 01-08-2004, 03:10 PM

Mid 1970 they changed the width of the rears. You can find '70 rears in both widths. I bought a '70 posi rear and it was a different width than my '71 and i couldn't swap the axles. I also have seen on here where a lot of people have found the later '70 rears and had absolutely no problems swapping axles. So you just need to measure the rear before you buy it. Later............Jerry

01-07-2004, 06:22 PM	#1
Charlie Coleman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Franktown, CO. USA Posts: 533	Axles - will they swap??? Just for informational purposes (per a conversation I had and didn't know the answer to). Are the rear axles inter-changeable between a 5 lug '72 axle and a 6 lug '70 axle? Meaning, can I just swap axles between these two years, or any '67-'72 for that matter? Thanks for helping my curiosity.

01-07-2004, 06:53 PM	#2
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	from what i have picked up reading this board, the 67-70 12 bolt and the 71-72 12 bolt are different widths, and it wouldn't be ideal to swap directly one for the other. but, i have heard that you can take the 6 lug axle shafts out of a late '70 model and put in some 5 luggers from a newer axle. hope this helps, and I know more people will chime in here to fill in my many gaps... __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

01-07-2004, 07:56 PM	#3
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Chances are excellent that you can swap them with the 70. It was in the 69 model year that they widened the racking width. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

01-07-2004, 08:28 PM	#4
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	ive heard it was midyear 70 they changed it... because some 70s had the wider and some didnt! tx firefighter told me this! __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

01-07-2004, 08:31 PM	#5
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,445	Wait a minute I just did this swap with a 69 coil soring set-up and no they don't just swap out.My 72 axle was 3/4" wider on each side,I made a 3/4" spacer for each side allso used the wider drum from the 72.I was going to do this same swap on my 70 and it is the same as the 69.A board member told me that they widened the rear in 70 ???Hope this helps I thought this was going to be a direct swap allso but found out other wise, just my luck __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

01-08-2004, 01:30 AM	#6
J.Lance Too many is never enough! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Idaho Falls, ID Posts: 455	axle swap All the info. I've ever been given, the axles will not swap and the diffs became wider in 71 (suppose it could have been mid year 70). I've also been told to take the six lug axles out, have a good shop weld the old holes and relocate with a five lug pattern. It has been done with some success but I don't have any personal experience. One guy told me it cost him about $50/axle to have it done. Of course you'd have to come up with the 5 lug drums as well. If I get a chance I'll take some actual measurements between the backing plates on the '70 and '71 and relay the info. __________________ Jason 1968 K10 SWB Fleetside 1971 K2500 GMC LWB 1968 K20 (later frame, donor body) 1972 C20 LWB parts truck 1993 K2500 Suburban, tow rig, 454, 4L80E NEW!! 18' Siem's car hauler 2004 Honda Odyssey (family man!)

01-08-2004, 01:41 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yes, some time mid year 70, they went to the wider axle. If you have a 70, you can try it and see if they are the same size. 60 - 69 had the narrow style.

01-08-2004, 10:55 AM	#8
Charlie Coleman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Franktown, CO. USA Posts: 533	Thanks for all your responses.

01-08-2004, 11:33 AM	#9
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,921	Yes my 70 had the wider rear end threw a posi and some 5 lug axles on there...good to __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

01-08-2004, 01:41 PM	#10
swdobbs Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MT Posts: 98	Axle length I put axles out of an '76, the only hiccup I had was that my '70 had 2" wide drums/shoes and the drums off the donor truck were 2 - 3/4", my simple solution was to find a set of 11x2 drums off an late '70s impala. swdobbs

01-08-2004, 03:10 PM	#11
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	Mid 1970 they changed the width of the rears. You can find '70 rears in both widths. I bought a '70 posi rear and it was a different width than my '71 and i couldn't swap the axles. I also have seen on here where a lot of people have found the later '70 rears and had absolutely no problems swapping axles. So you just need to measure the rear before you buy it. Later............Jerry __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS



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