Front & Rear bolt patterns different...adapter?

[Navy Mechanic]

Found out today that I have 5X5 front and 5X5 1/2 rear bolt patterns. This makes for an expensive and limited choice in rims. I can install 5X4 1/2 adapters which would help with rim selection. Never used them. Other than accounting for the extra inch when factoring back space, etc...are there any other concerns or considerations?

Thanks.

[MrDude_1]

theres mostly just the space issue.. 3/4" is alot of movement for a wheel... assuming everything clears:
first time you use them, its a pain because you SHOULD take the wheel back off after a short drive, and re-check that the adapter to axle lugs are still tight.


other then that, you just bolt them on and thats it.

[dznucks]

You should be able to swap the front spindles out to match the rears. you could also swap the rear axles out, but that could get more expensive. I would stay away from adapters.

Were they like this when you bought the truck?

[N2TRUX]

What rear axle do you have that has the 5x5.5" pattern? Is it a GM axle with re-drilled a shafts or something else? If it were me, I would spend the money on new axle shafts rather than adapters.

[Navy Mechanic]

What rear axle do you have that has the 5x5.5" pattern? Is it a GM axle with re-drilled a shafts or something else? If it were me, I would spend the money on new axle shafts rather than adapters.

I'm not sure what axle I have. Doesn't look like a ford which would be the most likely swap. It looks like your standard 10 bolt GM rear end...although the rear cap's a little different from the one on my 77 camaro. Crawling under today to see if I can ID it.

[lolife99]

I'm curious also.
You are measuring the "bolt circle" correct?
Not just between lug studs.

[Navy Mechanic]

I'm curious also.
You are measuring the "bolt circle" correct?
Not just between lug studs.

This is not the site I used but the method is the same.

http://www.mrt-wheels.com/boltpattern.html

[SCOTI]

Looks like a 10bolt but w/5x5.5" bolt pattern? Dodge truck maybe?

[Navy Mechanic]

Looks like a 10bolt but w/5x5.5" bolt pattern? Dodge truck maybe?

It's a possibility. 5X5 1/2 is listed as a Dodge & Ford truck/van bolt pattern.

Here's some pics. What do you think?

[SCOTI]

I'm betting Dodge.

One suggestion.... get some shock relocator brackets or modify those to get a better angle. It would allow your rear shocks to function better (they appear to be almost laying down).

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=359399

[Navy Mechanic]

One suggestion.... get some shock relocator brackets or modify those to get a better angle. It would allow your rear shocks to function better (they appear to be almost laying down).

They are. The bags and/or lines leak down to nothing every day. I've got a front and rear coil spring drop kit from CPP on the way. The kit includes shock relocater brackets if the angle's still bad with the new springs.

[crawdadfox]

Its a Dana rear, from the pics. looks to be a 44 which both Dodge and Ford used in the seventys and both would have a 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern. You could have the axles and drums redrilled to a 5 on 5" Gm pattern by Moser or check with some of your local machine shops. On the upside the early Dana's are non c-clip style axles and have a ton of available posi's, lockers and gear ratios available as cheap if not cheaper than GM 10 and 12 bolts.

[Navy Mechanic]

Its a Dana rear, from the pics. looks to be a 44 which both Dodge and Ford used in the seventy's and both would have a 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern.....

I checked some images online and believe you're right....looks like a Dana 44.

Had lot's of suggestions from changing axles, re-drill axle and drums, swap front spindles, etc. Total cost to utilize adapters is $115. Is there a major draw back that I'm unaware of?

[crawdadfox]

The thinest adapter that i know of is 1 1/4" thick so you will be adding an extra 2 1/2" of total track width in the mix which means custom offset rims to keep the wheel/tire under the truck (less dish ) which will be more of a problem if you plan on lowering it. If you get a chance measure the overall width of the rear and i'm sure someone here will have a stock 12 bolt measurement to compare it to.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by crawdadfox

The thinest adapter that i know of is 1 1/4" thick so you will be adding an extra 2 1/2" of total track width in the mix which means custom offset rims to keep the wheel/tire under the truck (less dish ) which will be more of a problem if you plan on lowering it. If you get a chance measure the overall width of the rear and i'm sure someone here will have a stock 12 bolt measurement to compare it to.

They do make a 1" billet adapter (I have some).
Stock 12bolts (63-mid 1970) are 62" wheel mounting surface to WMS.

[Navy Mechanic]

Stock 12bolts (63-mid 1970) are 62" wheel mounting surface to WMS.

Thanks for the measurement. I've done the math taking in consideration an extra inch for the adapters. I've got plenty of room in the rear cuz I've got mini-tubs. Up front I'm switching to a rim that's 1" narrower. If I've got my back spacing correct, the new rims should sit in the wells exactly like the current ones with no interference. I'll post before and after of the rims when I'm done. If I've goofed the math...I'll eat some humble pie and come back for more help!

[MrDude_1]

Originally Posted by Navy Mechanic

They are. The bags and/or lines leak down to nothing every day. I've got a front and rear coil spring drop kit from CPP on the way. The kit includes shock relocater brackets if the angle's still bad with the new springs.

while we're suggesting things, get a longer panhard rod, and weld the mount to the axle tube.
the longer rod will greatly reduce the side to side movement of the axle, and the weld on the tube instead of the casting will be much stronger.

[Navy Mechanic]

while we're suggesting things, get a longer panhard rod, and weld the mount to the axle tube.
the longer rod will greatly reduce the side to side movement of the axle, and the weld on the tube instead of the casting will be much stronger.

That's interesting...went for a drive this weekend and the tail got a little squirrely on me at high speed on a strait away....wonder if that's a contributor? Is there a longer mount to ensure clearance of the rear cap? I noticed some rub marks where the bar is occasionally hitting the diff cover.

[lolife99]

Get ECE's Super Track Bar. (www.earlyclassic.com)
It attaches from the frame mount all the way across, to the passenger side trailing arm.

[Navy Mechanic]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Get ECE's Super Track Bar. (www.earlyclassic.com)
It attaches from the frame mount all the way across, to the passenger side trailing arm.

Awesome! Thanks. Any help with my 2/4 drop thread? That one's got me bothered. Thanks again.