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| | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 12 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 12 | Hi there. I have recently been gifted with a 51 Chevy pickup. no engine or tranny and in pieces of course. i have done a search but can't seem to figure out why the rear wheels are 6 lug and the front a 5 lug. any ideas. I would like to figure out what i have before i try to figure out where to take it.
thanks
Greg | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Welcome to the Stovebolt!
Originally both the front and rear were six lugs. Someone has changed the front to five. There are several ways that might be done and it would take more information to know which...
Does it have drum brakes or disks brakes on the front? Does it have leaf or coil springs in the front?
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | welcome to the shop Greg - lookin around here for awhile will fill in the blank spots for ya!
sounds like someone changed someting in the front - if it's still the original straight axle, then prolly the front hubs and drums from a 50's car were installed, not unusual when folks want to run fancy rims, which aren't as available in the 6bolt pattern - the 6 lug back axle will be original
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 12 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 12 | drums brakes with leaf springs.
thanks for the welcome | | | | | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | I would guess that someone replaced the front hub assembly with one off a car of about the same vintage.
Fred
52 3600
69 C-10
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Fred is right.
Check the brakes, backing plates and the front bearings really carefully. This is a common modification but if not done right it may be unsafe.
Hubs and drums from an early 50's Chevy car is typical and results in a 5 x 4-3/4 bolt pattern. But the same approach can put larger drums from a Pontiac, Buick or Olds of that some era so your pattern could be 5 x 5 or even something else.
The same approach can be used to put 5-lug disk brakes on the front of one of these trucks and there are kits with parts and instructions.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | |
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