5 lug vs 6 lug wheel choices

[pharmd]

I need to decide which route to go. I hate to rule out 5 spoke wheels if I choose to stay with the 6 lug setup. I can save some $ by staying 6 lug though. Does anyone have an compelling arguements for one way or the other? I really want to decide this now, so I can move forward and put it behind me and start shopping wheels.

[Rich 5150 69]

Its just a matter of choice of wheel, your decision. I just went with stock GM 6 lug ralleys, cheaper by far.

[66 jewels]

look on craigslist under 6 lug chevy , that is where i found my weld wheels and 35" bfg for 700.00 and they are like 1800.00 new and they look like they are

[66Freak]

With all the newer trucks being 6 lug there is a lot of wheel choices out there.

[Rich 5150 69]

The newer trucks are hub centric, older trucks are lug centric, some wheels won`t fit over the center hubs.

[pharmd]

I'm doing a pro-touring influenced rat rod (shop truck theme), and I'm doing at least 20" rims with a 4/6 drop. I'm needing to decide as to what to order a 5 lug disk brake conversion or just go with a 6 lug disk/drum setup. The 6 lug is cheaper, but I dont' want to limit my rim choices.

[willyp]

I had about 4 studs that were broke/stripped anyway, I’m doing the disk brake conversion so I just ordered the rear 5 lug axles while I was at it.

[blackedoutharley]

The 5 lug conversions are typically 5 on 5" bolt circle which I believe you may find has limited choices for wheels compared to 6 lug given that there are several vehicle mfg's still using this option, albeit on 4X4's.

I would stay with 6 lug personally but I also like the wheels I have on my truck and have no desire to change let alone try to sell my Summers Brothers (that is how I roll!) axles.

[pharmd]

Bump for people who have gone or are going thru this...

[flips72]

i went to 5 lug, disk drum, just because of wheels. 17 inch tourque thrust 2. dropped 2.5/5. but i have allways loved these wheels. i didnt order new axles though, just had mine re-drilled. 80 dollars and they turned down the center hub for the later model wheels. that also included the drums.

[Slow Build]

The only reason I would switch is to go with 5 spoke wheels with exposed lugs like the Torque Thrust II's, Boss 338's (version 3) or Coy's C5's. I really like that design so I haven't ruled it ot yet. But I figure when I redo my front brakes I'll go with a 6 lug rotor for now. It's only around $120 for the rotors as opposed to the cost of changing the rear to 5 lug and the cost of the new wheels and tires. As you can see I'm kinda limited by funding. Since I want my suspension redone yesterday I'll have to wait for a while before I can pop for new wheels and tires.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by pharmd

I hate to rule out 5 spoke wheels if I choose to stay with the 6 lug setup.

I think you answered you're own question.

Unless you like old school slots, factory ralleye rims, or aftermarket truck rims you would likely be happier with a 5 lug set-up.

My suggestion is to determine what wheel you want first, then pick the lug setup.

[flips72]

i completely understand about the funds, if i where staying six lug i would stay with rallys. they are hard to beat and usally fairly priced, i just sold mine for 150.00 with rings and centers. good luck.

[pharmd]

One of my best friends owns a tire shop, so the cost won't be too much of an issue, as I will have access to ALOT of wheel choices for pretty much cost. My issue is with the "look". I agree with some on here...I don't want to have to go with a TT2 or Coy, which seems to be on nearly every old car and truck I see at cruise in's and shows. But by the same token, what looks good, looks good. My goal is to choose the lug design that gives me the greatest range of wheel choices...preferrably on a non-custom wheel. while I'm gonna get good pricing, Boze, etc at cost are still $$, and I will be putting more $$ into the motor tranny than what I originally planned.

I got too many projects going on right now. My TBSS needs new heads, cam, intake injectors, fuel system and head stud kit before I add the turbo. My camaro was going to get a ported 243 head/cam combo ( + injectors). Then the truck needs a complete motor, tranny, posi unit install. All this from a guy (me) who is pretty much "tighter than bark on a tree" with his $$.

[Deryl]

Hey PHARMD. I had the same issue until I decided to go with five lug truck ralleys that I got for a really good price. The ralleys are hard to beat for a variety of looks depending on color and trim rings, or no rings. I had already done the five lug front discs and I was too impatient to wait to do the axle conversion so I ordered a nice set six to five lug adaptors for the rear so I could go ahead and put em on. I have since done the rear axles so if you are interested I still have the adaptors. Just another option.

[CSGAS]

Originally Posted by flips72

...80 dollars and they turned down the center hub for the later model wheels. that also included the drums.

I was hoping someone would address that in this thread.

I've noticed the total price--changing axles to use cheaper wheels, using more expensive wheels, using adapters with cheaper wheels--all ballpark about the same price in the end so it depends on other factors and what falls in my lap what I will do.

I can't find any detailed info on the exact size of the hubs and holes in later wheels (haven't had a micrometer with me when I had a chance to examine later 6-lugs off a truck) but my 70's stock wheels seem hub-centric...how much did your hubs need turning/what's the diameter of the later hub hole?

[Hottrucks]

[QUOTE=lakeroadster;3987098]Unless you like old school slots, factory ralleye rims, or aftermarket truck rims you would likely be happier with a 5 lug set-up.
QUOTE]

your right !! oh by the way what choices are left...

heres the long an short of it... my truck is pro street with 8" in front and 12" in back..yea factory slots...cost me $50 to have them widened...if you get the 5 lug set up then you can get 92 2500 under 7300lb GVW 6 lug discs they bolt right on with the same seals and bearings....keep the 5 luggers and when and if you decide to buy a new set of axles then you can swap them on and have the 5 lug...
check my build to see the rallies widened out and what it looks like

[pharmd]

[quote=Hottrucks;3989053]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Unless you like old school slots, factory ralleye rims, or aftermarket truck rims you would likely be happier with a 5 lug set-up.
QUOTE]

your right !! oh by the way what choices are left...

heres the long an short of it... my truck is pro street with 8" in front and 12" in back..yea factory slots...cost me $50 to have them widened...if you get the 5 lug set up then you can get 92 2500 under 7300lb GVW 6 lug discs they bolt right on with the same seals and bearings....keep the 5 luggers and when and if you decide to buy a new set of axles then you can swap them on and have the 5 lug...
check my build to see the rallies widened out and what it looks like

Excuse my stupidity, still half asleep this AM, but what are you saying you pulled...you got the disk brakes off a 92 model HD (2500 series) truck...and even tho they were 6 lug disks, they worked with 5 lug rotor set up?

[Hottrucks]

[quote=pharmd;3989167]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

Excuse my stupidity, still half asleep this AM, but what are you saying you pulled...you got the disk brakes off a 92 model HD (2500 series) truck...and even tho they were 6 lug disks, they worked with 5 lug rotor set up?

Umm let me see if I can clear this up

YEP!!! exactly!! JUST THE DISC...everything else is the same...diameter thickness seals bearingings..everything...I have a good parts guy!! took him a day and some homework here on the board and some test fitting but...

I know there will be some venders here that arn't going to like me much when you don't have it to spend you need to find ways to save $$$$

I so get the sleepy thing

[flips72]

as far as hub deminsions not really sure, but i do know 71 up axle hub is smaller than 69 down. a five lug rally wont fit over the axle hub of a six lug axle.(wheel centering hub on the axle). sorry i cant tell you exactly but i will find out. i didnt know there was a diffrence till the machinest ai ludlow told me.

[pharmd]

I'm pretty sure Ralley's are not in the trucks future. I'm thinking 18-20" front and 22" rear. At least initially anyway. That might change as I go foward, but based on what I have seen on others rides, it seems to produce a good look with a 4/6 drop. I will continue to review going forward, but it certainly needs to fill out the wheel well....with wheel not just tire.

Anyone that wants to throw up pics of 5 lug and 6 lug wheel choices feel free!!!! We all love rims I think!

[markeb01]

One thing I haven’t seen discussed is the design of the 5 lug versus 6 lug wheels themselves. Especially with large diameter rims - some aftermarket wheels look better with 5, 6, 8 (or more) spokes, or other design features. The cosmetic style of the wheel may be somewhat dependent on the lug pattern. If you have a specific style of aftermarket wheel in mind, I’d put my attention on which design best fits your preferences and go with the lug pattern that will provide that result.

[Malibob]

5 is the way to go. If you go witha new 6 lug wheel you need to get it machined to fit on your truck not to mention the spacing is off. You can buy a lot mor 5x5 than you can 6'ers. I made the change because of that.

[Dene Risden]

I lost a beautiful, rare 69SS Chevelle because of adapters.......
Go easy my friend, get those things off ass soon as you can afford it!
The risk is not worth the temporary savings......
Dene

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by Dene Risden

I lost a beautiful, rare 69SS Chevelle because of adapters.......
Go easy my friend, get those things off ass soon as you can afford it!
The risk is not worth the temporary savings......
Dene

I carried adapters for a couple of years so I could carry one spare tire. I never did use them. When I finally had the rear redrilled to five lug, I threw the brand new adapters in the garbage because I didn't want anyone else to use them either.

Decades ago I saw a few broken adapter plates still partially mounted on wrecked cars in the junkyard. I assumed at the time the adapters probably caused the wreck that totalled the car, so I never had much confidence in them.