The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 6lug question

ok i have a 64 6 lug i just purchased a set of 6 lug rims off of a 2002 suburban. i need to make sure that i can use these. also are the the studs the same size so i can use the lugnuts and make the center caps work. any info is always appreciated.

I think you will find the offset wrong with the 02 wheels. Also the 02 - 1/2 ton uses much larger wheel studs.

The Lug pattern should be the same, but the more modern rims will be offset further in... you may have clearance issues. Measure carefully before committing to buy.

Yes, there will be offset/clearance issues with those rims. This acyually applies to any 6 lug GM 4x4 after '88, 'Burb and Blazer after '92, and all 2wd trucks after '99. The lug pattern is the same, though, and you can put the older style offset on the newer trucks with little problems, but not the other way around. This also applies to the S10 for those using S10 parts. The 2wd and 4x4 use different offsets.
BTW- old 6 lug are 7/16" studs, the newer trucks use 14mm. There are lug nuts available to allow for using the later caps with the older stud sizes. I have them on mine, don't really know who made them, I got them from a swap meet vender. They're 1/2" diameter, so I did have to change the studs to the larger size and slightly modify the wheels by making the nut seats larger.

Ok, the next question is what is the offset of the old style 6 lug wheels? I too have contemplated picking up a set of take-off 2007MY Chevy Tahoe rims, but want to know ahead of time how they would package on my 57 3100. Thanks.

No, '07 rims will not work, offset is too deep. You need rims with no more than 4 1/2" offset, pre '87 solid axle 4x4 rims work perfectly. I like the old Blazer Rallye myself, easy to find, fit really well, and they look good, too. If you're looking at aftermarket mags, just specify an '87 1/2 ton 4x4, you'll be fine.
Be carefull if you go with American Racing, there's been alot of issues with quality of the product and the guys packaging said product, namely they're putting the wrong stuff in the boxes.

So Bill,

I have a '55.1 and want to put a tire on it whose footprint is a little larger than the stock 4" wide wheels I have. Are you saying that I can put any 16" wheel that will fit an '87 1/2 ton Chevy 4X4 on my AD truck? And 4 1/2 inches is the offset I need? Can't for the life of me remember what the Blazer Rallye wheels look like, but I'm searching for a low budget answer to this problem. How wide is that Blazer wheel BTW?

Andy

The Blazer Ralley is 15x8. It's also 4 1/2" offset. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2731701030092261295ROodmu

Thanks for the info Bill. However, I want to put 16 inch wheels on the truck. I need to know what late model 16 inch wheels will fit on my '54.

Andy

Sounds like they will techinically fit but need to have spacers to compensate for the difference in offset??

Might have to go aftermarket to get 16s, GM really didn't offer the 1/2 ton with 16s on the later trucks, then the ones that did use the wrong offset. There is one possible option, if you can come across a '88-'90ish light duty 3/4 ton 2wd. Some of those did have 6 lug wheels. They're not as common as their 4x4 kin, but they do exist. The do use the larger lug nut, that might require some searching at the flaps to get one to fit, possibly even converting to 1/2" studs to get a nut with a larger seat area.
57 vroom vroom, the thickness of spacer that would be required to make them work would also make them very dangerous, I would advise against it. You would need to change out the studs to ones at least 3-4" long to accomodate the spacer. The chance of wheel separation is greatly increased by the extra stain that the studs would be under.

this is one of those i told you so situations. i should have waited to buy the rims until after i asked the qestion. i think i still got a good deal on the rims and tires and believe i can get my money back out of them. i only paid $125 for the rims and tires and the tires look barely driven on. i guess now ill either search for the 87 blazer 4x4 rims or just find some 5lug axles and do the 5 lug disc on the front. i appreciate everyones input and advice. this will definately be a learning process.

i found this website for wheel lugs and spacers might be helpful to someone. www.ezaccessory.com/