The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 6 lug to 5 lug wheels

I'd like to put some older mag style wheels on my '50 3100 but it seems like everything out there is a 5 lug bolt pattern. Can I use a 6 lug to 5 lug adapter, or am I asking for trouble. Thanks

Do you have a long range plan for your truck? Are you planning on driving it on a daily basis or only occasionally? Is your driving going to be in traffic? What upgrades, if any are you planning on making?

If you intend to upgrade to front discs, you can go with a 5 lug 4-3/4" pattern. Later model diffs come with the same 5 lug patterns.

Quality wheel adaptors are expensive and create some issues that effect long-term bearing life and handling.

There are a lot of 6 lug rims from Chevy trucks that might fill the bill until you get around to switching to 5 lug. IMHO the stock steel wheels with good tires and beauty trim rings are classy looking. It's truly up to you, but I would put together a long-term plan so you don't wind up dumping a load of money on parts that you find you don't need, or worse yet, that you can't use.
Been there....done that!!!! Hope this helps!

Dave

Wheel adapters are fine and won't effect bearing life as long as they are relatively narrow width usually less than 3/8" ....When you get into the 3/4 -1" width adapters you can encounter some bearing problems.

a six to five adapter will be at least an inch thick.if you use a wheel with an inch less offset than stock you will be fine.

Thanks guys for all the info. Dave, I really only plan to drive it from time to time but I've already put a 235 in it and I'm changing from 6 to 12 volt now. Got all the stuff from Patrick's. Next it's re-wiring. Thank goodness I'm inside and heated. It's been pretty cold here in Jersey. I'm new to Stovebolt but I've had the '50 for a few years. I'm sure I'll be asking again so please be gentle to this rookie.

I've heard that there are some 6 lug wheels on Chev Blazers and some 6 lugs on the Chev Colorado's but have not checked them out yet. Somewhere someone mentioned that the Colorado's may rub the tie rod end. I'm not sure about others. I think there is a nice looking 6 lug sporty looking wheel on some vans but don't know the years. All this said I am planning on looking around for a six lug for my panel.

What backspace is correct with stock front end? Thanks!!

4" is the backspace for aftermarket wheels. American Racing has several styles of wheels that will fit a stock A.D. truck the only catch is they're only available in 15". 15 x 7 or 15 x 8 are both ok without rubbing anything.
Curt B.

You'll want something along the line of 3"-4", depending on wheel width. Use '87 and earlier 4x4 for the correct application, but do use cautuin if you get 7" rims, most places will sned rims for Jap trucks that have the wrong offset if you order 7". Also, rims from '88 and up will not work, the bolt pattern is correct, with the offset is too deep at around 5". Colorado/Canyon and Trailblazer/Envoy/Bravada/Ranier wheels are out, too. Same offset problem as late fullsize (6") and the bolt pattern is a small 6 lug (6x5).

I'm not trying to hijack "jerseyboy" thread here but I figure the info is good for him to?
IBHoggin:
buying aftermarket wheels is out. Surely I can come up with something decent other than paying high prices. However the 15x7 is what I want to use.
LongBox55:
Lets see if I have this correct. Your saying 87 and Earlier will work with no modifications. Since I plan to get them "used" I will not worry about the japs sending me the wrong thing. This is why I'm asking here so I can get used Originals and put them on. I just want to know what years/type to look at in deciding which rim to use based on how it looks. From what I'm reading I need the Rims off of a 87 Chev.Van with the "sport rim look" that has the center caps. I think I know where a set is. I'm asking questions before I actually need them so I can take advantage of bargains as they come along.

For the Sport rim look" in a 6 lug, you'll want to use the old Blazer Ralley wheel, used from '73-'91. It's a 15x8, and will work just fine. That's what I'm runing on mine, got them new for $40 a wheel. You'll need to come up with 4 rear caps, though, as the fronts have a hole in the center for the 4x4 hub. You can also adapt a later cap like I did with mine. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2731701030092261295ROodmu

Thanks longbox55....but still got questions. I like the pic of your tire but 8" may be a little big for what I want in the end??? SOOO, do you or anyone else know what the 7" rims are specific on(model). I am willing to do some research and check the junk yards but thought someone here can help save the time/money. Thanks again for the info. I have it printed out and will save it.
Alvin

What size tire are you planning to use?

How about this,,,put 5 lug car hubs on the front,,have your rear axle flanges redrilled to the 5 lug bolt pattern. I had it done abt. 15 years ago,worked out fine. Any machinist thats worth his salt can do it and do it right.
Marty

Longbox55: I'm planning on running 235x15 with 7" 6lug rims or that is what I am thinking.
Deluxe54Panel: redrilling axles is not out of the question. I have a friend having his 1968 being drilled to 5 lug this week. I'm waiting to look at how that job turns out. BTW, I once put 1955(?) hubs on the front of my 50 pickup but that was about 30 years ago! The only thing this previous owner of my panel did was rebuilt the entire front end including brake shoes etc. Just exactly what year is it that will bolt right on over the shoes just like it is. Isn't there some other years? PLUS I have a 56 rear pumpkin I'm going to put in it to get rid of the 4:11 gear and the torque tube so I'll have the axle's out. I'm just trying to start putting some things in "concrete" now as I will most likely start blasting the chassis in the next week or two and will start rebuilding, depending on weather. Thanks for your input guys. Its been a looong time since I worked on the AD's.

235's will fit just fine on the 8" rim, they'll also add a little bit more stabilty over a 7".

When i did my front hub change over,,i put the hubs from a '53 car. Just 'cause thats what i happened to find in tthe wreckin yard at the time. Theyre getting harder to come by now tho.
Best place to find them is swap meets.
Good Luck,Marty

Thanks again Bill & Marty. I actually know where a 53 is sitting if the quy will let the hubs go. Its been sitting for years and years. I also know a couple other local places I can round up some. I also agree. The 8" rims will do good on the panel. With the 8" and the stablizer bar that was on it I figure it should be good to go. I"ll start looking for a "real deal" on the 73-91 blazer wheels. Thanks

Who sells adaptors for the 6 lug to 5 lug conversion ?

You probably won't find any. Most of the adapters I know of keep the same lug stud number, just sifferent size patterns. Either way, I don't like them. Seen too many issues with safety with those. You have to keep in mind that any adapter like that is going to be at least 2-3" thick, that means the wheel has to have that much deeper offset to correct for that to make the bearings live and to keep the alignment and scrub radius angle correct. Then there is the whole issue with wheel separation. If the nuts holding the adapter are not torqued right, they will come off, usually while you're going down the road. In the shop I work at, we will not touch anything using adapters for this very reason. They're just not really very safe. The only exeption would be factory type dual wheel adapters, that are designed to be used with a given vehicle.

My post is just my own opinion-I don't care much for adapters for wheels. That being said-I have 1 request of any 'Bolter who do use them-Please be carefull! Tighten down the fasteners with a torque wrench, don't count on a 4 way or breaker bar (or impact gun either). And make sure of the wheel offsets, this can really mess up the handling and bearing life if too radicaly off.

jersey boy,I have a set of hubs and drums to convert your front axle to 5-lug..bolt on using your existing bearings and brakes..rear axles would still need to be redrilled..$60 + shipping.