5 x 4.75" or 5"

[regan56]

so im in the garage a day ago, admiring my handy work on my 56 GMC after i mounted the springs to my rear end and for something to do i measured my bolt spacing. i had all along assumed i had a 5x5" spacing, not even thinking about it until then. turns out i have a 5x4.75" spacing. in teh meantime i have purchased (not expensive) a set of 5x5 GM rallys, that ive yet to pay for and pick up.... well f##k.

so now im in a pickle...

a) buy the rallys, swap out the entire rear end for a 5x5 set (wasnt a huge fan of the 3.08 gears anyway)and larger gears
b) buy teh rallys, swap out the axles for a 5x5 set
c) abort the rallys and stick with the 5x4.75 and find different wheels.

also, i have no front end yet so thats of no consideration..ill get one to match teh back

[mr48chev]

What's the pattern on the front hubs? That should be the deciding factor.

Finding a 5 on 5 rear axle with the right gears that will fit under the truck and not have the tires stick out too far may be the big issue. Most are also going to mean that you have to come up with another driveshaft if you already have one.

A 71/72 GMC 1/2 ton rear would give you 5 on 5 and the least hassle mounting it. It might not be in the way too wide category.

Another choice and probably not expensive might be a rear out of an early 80' full size Buick Electra, Olds 98 or Chev Caprice that had an overdrive trans. I think they had 3.5 or 3.7 gears. You have to make sure and check the bolt pattern and make sure the donor was an overdrive car. The width on those is probably close to spot on but they have a lot of scabs you will have to trim off.

[joedoh]

plenty of wheels available in 5x5 and 5x4.75.

also remember that when you are measuring a 5 lug pattern it is NOT center to center across two lugs, it is center of one to the EDGE of the other. that could be your extra 1/4 inch.

[regan56]

Originally Posted by joedoh

plenty of wheels available in 5x5 and 5x4.75.

also remember that when you are measuring a 5 lug pattern it is NOT center to center across two lugs, it is center of one to the EDGE of the other. that could be your extra 1/4 inch.

i did measure CtoC so....ya....theres that.....

[joedoh]

haha sweet. I have done it before, that is experience talking


on the plus side, your new wheels should fit!

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by joedoh

on the plus side, your new wheels should fit!

Nice save joedoh!

[regan56]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

Nice save joedoh!

yes, nicely done sir...beers on me!

[joedoh]

woop woop! I am a cheap date too, QuikTrip tea!

[my56chevytruck]

[QUOTE=joedoh;8258529]plenty of wheels available in 5x5 and 5x4.75.

also remember that when you are measuring a 5 lug pattern it is NOT center to center across two lugs, it is center of one to the EDGE of the other. that could be your extra 1/4 inch.

[/QUOTE

Some of the "internet mechanics" have shown measuring 5 lugs center to center. You're spec on joedoh

[Driver_WT]

I learned something new today. Thanks.

Wade

[mr48chev]

I cheat I have a couple of bolt pattern checkers. I actually went and checked the diagrams and yep the ones above are correct.

[_Ogre]

it's the diameter of the centerline of the pattern
even lugs like 4, 6 and 8 are measured center-center
center to edge on 5 lug patterns is a good approximation

some wheels have both patterns on the hub, like truk wheels from wheels vintiques

[Dan in Pasadena]

^^^ You can get the dual pattern on reproduction Rally wheels so it should be easy for the OP to resolve his dilemma.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

^^^ You can get the dual pattern on reproduction Rally wheels so it should be easy for the OP to resolve his dilemma.

Originally Posted by _Ogre

some wheels have both patterns on the hub, like truk wheels from wheels vintiques

I havent seen a lot of dual pattern wheels with 5 on 4.75 and 5 on 5, usually the second pattern with 5 on 4.75 (small chevy) is 5 on 4.5 (small ford)

usually with the dual pattern 5 on 5 wheels (big chevy) the second pattern is 5 on 5.5 (big ford)

[Dan in Pasadena]

Here's a dual pattern one for the OP or anyone else who might come to find this thread later:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-17x7-ALUM...oAAOSwa39Uts8V

[regan56]

just an update, just to close the loop on my end. STD GM ralleys fit as i'd hoped. crisis averted!

THX ALL

[dsraven]

just as a side bar, there are easy to download/use or make "lug pattern template tools" that are nothing more than a plastic or paper circle with the holes cut/marked at the different pattern locations. easily made with a school kids compass and protractor kit or download and print off the net for single uses like this.
nice you got the pattern figured out. it may affect the final outcome of what you will use up front I guess.
good luck

[regan56]

Originally Posted by dsraven

just as a side bar, there are easy to download/use or make "lug pattern template tools" that are nothing more than a plastic or paper circle with the holes cut/marked at the different pattern locations. easily made with a school kids compass and protractor kit or download and print off the net for single uses like this.
nice you got the pattern figured out. it may affect the final outcome of what you will use up front I guess.
good luck

..yes i thought of that. i work in CAD everyday so it would be fairly easy for me to come up with a template.

with regard to teh front end, i called Heidts to find out if they could do a 5*5 M2 (didn't see that option on their website) and they can, for an extra $90USD per hub, so its can be done.

[dsraven]

make sure to get the size of wheel studs to match as well when you order. it would suck to have 2 different sizes on the lug nuts.

[regan56]

Originally Posted by dsraven

make sure to get the size of wheel studs to match as well when you order. it would suck to have 2 different sizes on the lug nuts.

..good call, i will make sure i do that. thank you for teh heads up!