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Will the rearend from a 72 Chevy 1/2 ton be a direct swap into a 61 Chevy 1/2 ton?

There are differences. What are you trying to achive? It may or may not be the right solution.

In '72 the truck could have coils or leafs. Also it could be five-lug if two-wheel-drive or six-lug if four-wheel-drive.

If they are both trailing arm the swap may not be a perfect fit but I would expect it to be close.

Hell yes it will bolt right up.. I just went through this with my 1962 1/2 ton.. I have a 69 rear end on it now.. The only thing you may have to do is break the welds on the U bolts and move them.. But only if you're going from a long bed to a short bed or vise verse.. Just make sure you plum the wheels so they track right.. All the rear ends are interchange-able on those half tons from 1960 to 1972 as far as I know..
Someone correct me if I'm wrong..

Richie there are two rear suspension designs that were used in 1972. Most Chevys have the trailing arm setup with coils, most GMC's have leaf springs. Coils were optional on GMC's and leafs on Chevy's.

If the two trucks involved have the same rear suspension type then likely its as easy as you suggest. If one is coil and the other leaf, its a bit more work.

Starting in '71 two-wheel-drive trucks have five lug hubs. So unless the purpose is to change to the 5x5 pattern on the rear, this swap will require changing wheels.

Interchangeable usually means without modification. This swap could require modifications.

I hear you OldSub.. Hadn't thought about that.. When I was in the process of changing my rear end out my goal was to keep my 6 lug pattern.. My only concern was having the 12 bolt pumkin as oppose to the stock 10 bolt that came with my 62.. The 12 bolt third member pumpkins are easier to maintain and swap R&P's..
So I was only looking at 6 bolt lug pattern rears..

I have a 62 1/2 ton, and i put a 71 rear in,because i did the front member swap with disc brakes, and the 71 is 5 lug. to put the newer 12 bolt in, i had to cut off the u bolt saddles and weld new ones,the 62 trailing arms are wider apart. 63 and up is a direct bolt in. i got the saddles from CPP for 35 bucks, just be careful with the measurements and pinion angle.hope this helps.....Mark

62 Mark, I'm doing a rear end swap from a 79 C10 to my 61 and will also need the saddles you mentioned to accommodate the trailing arm suspension. Is that the technical name for these components? I cannot find them on the CPP website.

Nevermind, found them and ordered them.