6 Lug to 5 Lug Conversion

[shortboxin]

I'm sure this has been covered, but a quick search online yielded pages of 5 lug to 6 lug, not vise-versa. A quick search on this site didn't get a hit either.

I'm parting a 2002 Escalade out and a guy on FB suggested I use the rear in my 86 C10 for the posi and disc brakes. I didn't originally give it much thought because of the 6 lug pattern, besides not wanting to deal with the potential hydraulic issues, parking brake conversion, leaf perch locating, etc., but he got me second guessing.

Is there an axle available that's 5x5 lug with the same length, spline count, shaft diameter, etc. to interchange with the Tahoe/Yukon/Silverado/Sierra/Escalade 6 lug axle?

 

[legopnuematic]

Honestly, in my opinion, not worth it. You would be going from a 10 bolt to a 10 bolt.

I’m not sure, but I’d suspect the limited slip would be a G80 Gov-Loc, not exactly the most desirable thing to most.

Unlikely to find axle shafts that are 5x5 in that length, as in that same era Astros and Express vans were 5x5, but narrower. Squarebodys and 2wd gmt400s are narrower as well.

Shafts could be custom made or potential plugged and redrilled.

Of course, as you mentioned, the work needed to relocate the perches and shock mounts.

GM did a nice job designing the drum brakes these trucks use, little gain would be seen from going to discs in most cases.

If you are happy with the gears in your current rear end and everything is in working order, swapping in a clutch type limited slip, is not a huge deal.

If I were you, I’d sell the Escalade rear, use that money towards the 10 bolt under your truck already. Just my 2¢. Doable, absolutely. Worth your time and effort, probably not.

 

[shortboxin]

If I were you, I’d sell the Escalade rear, use that money towards the 10 bolt under your truck already. Just my 2¢. Doable, absolutely. Worth your time and effort, probably not.

Thank you for your input. Your comments are exactly what I was looking for. Unless someone out there has a compelling argument that sways me, you've convinced me to revert back to my original position.

 

[Grit dog]

Ya know, back in the day I thought it was great when rear axles finally got switched to disk brakes.
Now 30 years later with an old CJ5 4 wheel drums and 2 squarebodys, I’ve realized that drum brakes are really good. And a lot of my previous dislike of drums was largely due to being in the rust belt and fighting the drums just so I could fight replacing the other rusted components. Oh and no brake dust on yer rimz!!

 

[DoubleDingo]

I know guy that did the 6 to 5 conversion but on a 65 C10. He was converting to front disc and there weren't any 6 lug options from what he told me. He had a shop do the work, and I didn't ask him details. I don't know if they swapped the rear axle, axle shafts, or what, but the front of course it was a spindle swap. I only got to talk to him for a couple of minutes each time I saw him, as he was store owner, always busy, but always wanted to buy my 65 even though I wouldn't have a way home...lol... All I asked him was the difference in braking, and he said it was way better.

For your application I'd say stick with what you have.

 

[TotalyHucked]

It can be done with some custom axle shafts, welding on the leaf spring perch and figuring out the parking brake but like stated above, not worth it. Just have your original 10-bolt built/upgraded. That's what I did and have zero regrets. I'm a huge fan of drum brakes in the rear of pickups over discs and it's nice being able to retain the stock parking brake setup and just order fresh cables.

 

[legopnuematic]

I know guy that did the 6 to 5 conversion but on a 65 C10. He was converting to front disc and there weren't any 6 lug options from what he told me. He had a shop do the work, and I didn't ask him details. I don't know if they swapped the rear axle, axle shafts, or what, but the front of course it was a spindle swap. I only got to talk to him for a couple of minutes each time I saw him, as he was store owner, always busy, but always wanted to buy my 65 even though I wouldn't have a way home...lol... All I asked him was the difference in braking, and he said it was way better.

For your application I'd say stick with what you have.

I’d reckon they swapped the axle shafts, should able to use a, say 1972 C10 axle shaft. Both 12 bolt truck axles, widths should be the same, but 5x5.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I’d reckon they swapped the axle shafts, should able to use a, say 1972 C10 axle shaft. Both 12 bolt truck axles, widths should be the same, but 5x5.

Probably right.

I miss that guy, he had quite the car collection, even had a shortbed square, 3 on the tree, camper shell, and he never punished the truck. He'd make a costco run every week and he'd cruise 55 down and 55 back, no hurry, just cruising along in his square letting everyone pass him.

 

[bucket]

I don't see why the shafts and rotors couldn't simply be re-drilled by a local machinist.

There would be downsides though. The rotors would need drilled whenever you need to replace them. The 1/2 ton rear discs and parking brakes were not the most reliable, in my experience.

 

[Ricko1966]

I don't see why the shafts and rotors couldn't simply be re-drilled by a local machinist.

There would be downsides though. The rotors would need drilled whenever you need to replace them. The 1/2 ton rear discs and parking brakes were not the most reliable, in my experience.

It would be interesting to see if the 5 lug and six lug patterns could both be drilled and leave sufficient metal for structure round the studs and also not have any holes intersect,not saying it can't be,I just wonder if it can be.

 

[legopnuematic]

It would be interesting to see if the 5 lug and six lug patterns could both be drilled and leave sufficient metal for structure round the studs and also not have any holes intersect,not saying it can't be,I just wonder if it can be.

Here is a quick cad drawing I did to see, 5x5, 6x5.5, 8x6.5. Should be correct but it is late and I'm tired. All holes are drawn as a 1/2" diameter.

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