The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 8 lug to 6 lug conversion ???

HI Everyone

So I am working along on my 1952/53 Chevy 1 ton truck and I am getting the K5 Blazer rear end is roughed in but the problem is now I have a 8 lug front axle/hub that came stock on it but the Blazer is a 6 lug.

A fellow that I know gave me a pair of spindles and drums off of a 1965 C10 truck which are 6 lug. So has anybody out there swapped out the 8 lug 1 ton front hubs and put the lighter weight 6 lug front hub?? I do also want to upgrade to disc brakes on the front too.

Any insight would be great.

MikeC

Would an 8 lug rear axle be the simpler solution?

Depends on what you want the truck for? Personally I would keep 8 lug and use it like the truck it is.

Hi Grigg

The 6 lug Blazer K5 is all installed, I want the truck to be able to drive down the road and not feel like I have a bulls eye on my back due to it being so slow...so lower gears are the key, modern style braking system already attached, with parts available from the local NAPA too.
I also really don't wanna have to keep 2 separate spare rims on the truck.

I may have to swap out the front axle to a 1/2 ton one, then at least I could get a disc brake set-up easier.

Anybody else wanna chime in here?

Thanks in advance

MikeC

Sounds like you have a dilemna with that one. Is your truck a true 1-ton and not a 3/4 ton?

The 1 tons had a slighty narrower frame. Plus the frame was taller and the kick down section in the front is slightly different. With that being said, swapping in the 6 lug frontend would be a bear. You would either have to drill a half ton axle to fitter the 1-tons wider springs or machine your spindles to fit the 1/2 ton hubs.

You may be able to find bearings to retrofit the 1/2 ton hubs to the 1 ton spindle. Dig through the Timken catalog to find out.

http://catalog.timken.com/app.php?RelId=6.4.7.1&bookcode=trb12

The 65 spindles are for an independent suspension system. No way they're going to fit on a straight axle. Your best bet will probably be to adapt a later model 1/2 ton front crossmember from an early 70's pickup and eliminate the straight axle. The crossmember and the relay rod will need to be narrowed about 2" and a suitable mounting point for the idler arm and steering gear will have to be fabricated. Front disc brakes can be adapted easily to that setup. Just don't try to use an IFS designed for a subcompact car like an M2 on a full-grown truck. That's sending a boy to do a man's job.
Jerry

Back to the beginning...
If you want faster gears and modern brakes under a 1 ton AD truck the easiest and cheapest is a nerer 14 bolt rear axle swap from a GM "cab and chassis" pickup (without the pickup bed).
Then if you want front disc brakes recently a kit is available for the original axle. Has been discussed here and or in the swap meet section.

Just because you have whatever given components on hand doesn't make that the best, cheapest, or easiest option.
Consider all options and make an informed decision.

Grigg

Another option would be a Dana 60 from a Dodge or Ford van, which tend to have a 3.55 ratio. The later Fords are also very common with rear disk brakes.

I had a Dana 60 from an 80's ford van thinking it was going to fit, but it was not quite narrow enough by several inches.
What model van and width axle are you suggesting?.

The 14 bolt C&C axle I picked up if I remember correctly only 9/16" wider than the stock axle from my 52 1 ton, plenty close enough.

Grigg

So far from a size standpoint the 1985 K5 Blazer rear end appears to be fitting in place. The out to out width from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface is about 64 1/2 inches. that width should fit under the rear fenders.
For the front end I have a bearing distributor about 1/2 hour South of where I live. I am going to see if have can come up with something that will fit the thicker 1 ton spindles to the smaller 1/2 ton (but 6 lug front hubs that I have)...last night I was picking thru my pile of rusty metal and I found a pair of 1/2 ton early 1950's Chevy front drums with the hubs attached.
So if the bearing place can get me bearings to fit I should be able to make the 1/2 ton front hubs fit on the 1 ton spindles with out having to cut anything thing at a machine shop.
I also found out that a lot of the online classic truck shops now sell 6 lug disc brake kits....So I am pumped about my chances of making all these pieces work.

MikeC

As an idea, a 94 burb 1/2 t with the 14 bolt rear has a different width spacing than pickup spring perches. Other than that I believe the axles are the same as a pickup truck. 94 is the only year like this.
I have a 53 GMC 3/4 ton. Theoretically the front axle is supposed to be the same as the 1/2 ton. Not the case for me. When I sent it out years ago the shop wound up sending it from El Cajon CA to Reno NV to an over the road specialty shop to have the k-pins and bushings custom ground and fit. The 1/2 ton pins I had were way too small. The 1 tons were also too narrow. That being said, if your pins are decent,what about going to a bearing house with all your dimensions and see if you can adapt 6 lug drums. You are going to to want to install tapered roller bearings instead of the ball bearings. Just my 2¢ is all.

Great read on the 14 bolt and differences between 1 ton and 3/4 widths and applications http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/

only took me a day to install one under my truck. Why downgrade to a 6lug toothpick axle when you can upgrade to a near direct fit 14 bolt?

Good question, nicely said.

The one we did in a '49 3800 came out of a mid to late '80s Dodge B200. Other than moving the spring pads, it was a perfect fit.

Hi Diseasel

It only took me maybe a full day (4 or 5 nights) to swap out the antique 1952/53 rear end with the freebie 1985 K5 Blazer...cutting and moving perches and cutting out old broken leaf springs...

I found a 1/2 ton front axle with spindles for a decent price and I already had the 6 lug front hubs...I am also swapping out the 1 ton front springs and hangers with 1/2 ton stuff too...still need all new brake parts and brake lines installed

For me I am basically turning the 1 ton into a 1/2 ton...I want ease of parts availabity too...I want to also upgrade the front wheel bearings to more modern roller bearings which most of the current vendors all sell now...

On a side note a 1/2 ton truck is more desired (in my neck) from a resale standpoint than a 1 ton...I always have in the back of my mind if I had to sell it quickly I could better with 1/2 ton stuff on it...and I dont typically hang onto my stuff for very long....I bore really easy....

So guys thanks for all the input...I am enjoying this so far...I toil away almost every-night on my project...:)

MikeC

Do like Grigg said, get a 14 bolt(they are cheap) with 8 lugs, of whatever ratio you like, be done with it.

All I am waiting for is a 6 lug disc brake conversion kit from CPP...swapping out drag link parts as the OEM socket balls were both twisted wore out...Jim Carter to the rescue again...oh yeah shocks and tie rod ends too...Rock Auto and Jim Carter again...

Cant wait to get this thing rolling again...never been a fan of trucks on jack stands...they gather way much dust too...

MikeC

Anyone done this with a dual rear wheel 1 ton. Due to the brake parts availability and the gearing issues, I was considering a rearend swap for my 53 3800 flat bed. I know the width would not be as critical as it has no fenders. I heard that some of the F#$d trucks will have the same bolt pattern as my current dually style 18's. There has also been some progress on a possible 1 ton disc brake conversion which works with the dual rear wheel trucks. SO if that works out I can keep my current front hubs and lug pattern. I also want to ditch the 3 pc wheels for modern wheels. Whatever will end up fitting the new rearend AND the stock front hubs.

Here is the thread I've been following. Sounds like he'll get it worked out sooner or later.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1085066&page=5

Larry W.

My 14bolt was originally a dual rear wheel. I converted it to a disc brake setup. There were 2 types of dual axles, one was a Cab and chassis which is what I have, and the wider one is for a pickup, and depending on the size of your flatbed might be a better option