The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Rear End Swap

My first post, but I'm sure not my last. My son and I are starting our first rebuild together - a 65 stepside. He is 14 so we have a couple of years to get it done before he starts driving. I came across a 1984 1/2 ton chevy - transmission's shot and the body is really rough, but it was free. I've learned through these forums I can do some upgrades to the 65 from the 84 - crossmemebr swap, power brakes and steering, etc. Swaping out the front gives 5 lug up front, but 6 in the rear. Can I just swap the rear end out of the 84 into the 65 to give the rear 5 lug?

I think that you'll have to measure the length of the rear ends

There are a few good threads on this subject here and on the 67-72 forum. Width of the '84 will be something to check, and you will also have to convert it to work with coil springs, its likely a leaf sprung rear end.

You can buy the coil spring mounts and weld them to it, but may be easier to find a 71 or 72 rear end thats coil spring and 5 lug.

You're going to find that the '84 rearend is about 2" wider. That really shouldn't be much of a problem. Something you might consider doing that will reduce the work is to do an axle shaft swap. The shafts from the '84 will work in the '65 rearend, they just need to be shortened to the same lenght as the oeriginal axles and regrooved for the C clip. Any competent machine shop should be able to do that. Use the drums from the '84, the rest of the brakes can be '65.