6 lug axle to 5 lug axle swap is it possible?

Can you convert a six lug axle to a five lug axle and or are the axle carriers interchangeable?

 

You might be able to have your axles redrilled for 6 lug pattern but I doubt you could find drums since the 5 lug drums are smaller. The 6 lug axles are 8" ring gears in larger carriers than the 5 lug which is a 7.5".

I'd just weld 5 lug perches on a 6 lug axle housing and toss it in place if you want 6 lug in the rear.

 

Are you thinking about using a 5 lug wheel? Curious why you would do this.

 

Why do you want to, because that will determine the answer

 

Ahhh yes you’re right I remember reading about the different sized ring gears

 

So I’ve been wanting to change the rear axle on my 2002 2.4L 5 speed manual base taco. She has the 3.48 or is it 3.58? Anyways I was just curious cause I’m going to be purchasing a 1999 pre runner 6 lug that was in a roll over accident. I’m getting the hood, grill, lights front bumper, seats and trying to part out the rest of it. For a split second I thought maybe the rear axels were interchangeable if it had a more favorable gear ratio than the one I have now.

 

The axle from a 6 lug truck will not bolt into a 5 lug truck. 6 lug trucks use a spring-over suspension and the 5 lugs are spring-under. I think the e-brake is different as well but I am not sure. The driveshaft might be an issue as well. Even if the e-brake/driveshaft aren't issues you would have to cut off the stock SOA spring perches on the axle and weld on SUA perches. You could keep 5 lug wheels with adaptors.

You might find more info if you search in the 5-lug forum:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/5-lug.114/

 

I think your looking at more fabrication then you want to make that happen.

Now your needing to carry 2 different spares as well.

Search for the differential gears to fit your housing with the ratio you seek.

 

yea that sounds like a lot of work (sigh). I found a 5 lug axel that I wanted on eBay but they wanted $600 for it and I don’t think that included shipping (sad emoji face). I guess I’ll just sell everything I don’t need off the donor truck.

 

Look into a ford 8.8

 

Sorry meant to post more. There is a guy who ls swapped his 1st gen on YouTube. He swaps the rear to a ford 8.8 if I remember correctly it’s bolt on maybe a little moddint

 

Toms turbo garage

 

I am sure their is more then just bolting it in

Narrowing Ford axles was a go to back in the day.

 

I don’t have time to go through it but I’m almost positive it’s a straight swap minus driveshaft adapter and I think with the 5 lugs the shock and ubolt “frame” needs to be slightly redrilled

here another guy did it too
https://youtu.be/NJ97eOMf8Cw

 

hey! Yea I had read somewhere that was an option just didn’t know there was a YouTube video on how to do it! Thank you I’ll check it out.

 

I just got through the video where he swapped them out. Yea looks like it pretty much bolted right up minus some grinding. What would be the advantage of using that ford rear end? I’m guessing they can handle more horse power? Also if you wanted disc brakes in the back?

 

Disk brakes. Stronger axle, cheaper more plentiful parts I assume. It’s an almost 9 inch ring gear too as apposed to 7.5 so beefer. Let’s call this the 5 lug equivalent to tons lol