12 bolt truck axle?

I'm looking for a rear axle for my 55' g***er and I keep seeing these posi rear ends out of 4x4s and trucks for pretty cheap...anything wrong with going that way? I dont have a clue about the width but if that works out seems like it'd be a good way to go.

Charlie

 

Most of those are 6 lug wheels...you can swap just the shafts for the 2 wheel drive 12 bolt shafts but you still get a 5x5 bolt pattern...if interested PM me,my neighbor has a Dana 60 5 lug fron a Mopar...HD and good price

 

the 5 lug axles were used starting in 71, and the rearend width was changed in 70, so you can only use the 5 lug axles on 70-81 rearends.

Width would be ok if you radius the wheelweels

If your car has some serious hp you'll want to make sure the rearend is in good shape, they tend to crack the pinion gear teeth

 

The problem with truck 12-bolts is that they have the same pinion diameter as an 8.2" 10-bolt (1.438" vs. 1.625" for a car 12-bolt or 8.5" 10-bolt)

Edit: wouldn't a 57-64 Olds/Pontiac rear be more period-correct?

 

hey slammed, sent you a pM thanks!

 

Hi pete, I have an Olds single leg rear end in it now but mythinking is it'll be pretty pricey to change the carrier to posi...do you agree?

 

Hi jim, the car wont see the track...just a street rod, but I suspect I'll be somewhere in the 450-550 hp range.

so the trucks went to 5 lug in 70? and then got wider in 71?
I am going to be radiusing the wheel wells (its a 55 g***er afterall!) so I guess I'm OK with a truck rear end? Do you know off hand the width of those rear ends?

 

if it were me I'd keep the Olds in it. Width on the 70s truck rears is about 63" flange to flange I think.

 

Most likely. I don't even know if anyone in the aftermarket makes a limited slip or locker for it. Mark Williams has a spool, but it's $316, and you probably don't want a spool on a street car.

 

Chevy 12 bolt truck rear end are 64 inches wide . I am swapping one out into my 53 Caddy right now. Its an even swap for me.