Should I keep 8 lug rims ?

[jeffrow62]

I have a question concerning the 8 lug rims that are on my truck now. They seem a bit big for my plans of lowering the truck 4 inches. Not to mention tires are hard to find.. 7.50 - 17's on this now. I want some low profile radials and some moon rims.. How do I do this ?

[dubie]

you could swap them out for the 6 lug pattern and run 15 or 16 inch rims. You can save a ton of cash if you can find good used parts rather than buying everything aftermarket

[jeffrow62]

thanks er um Dubie! do I have to do any mods? just pull off old and put on new pattern ?

[Dan in Pasadena]

IF you're changing, why go to six lug?

Again, IF... then I'd advise going to 5x5 (truck pattern) or 5x4.75 (car pattern). There are dozens of ads daily for used rims of all kinds in these patterns.

Fortunately, my truck came with 5x4.75 and I happened to have a set of 15x7 old Torq Thrust wannbe's in the garage I'd never used. Those plus $60 for brand new take-off 75 series from an F150 and I was in business cheap. Best of luck.

[jeffrow62]

thanks!

[dubie]

i'm not familiar with the year of truck like yours as far as compatability goes. I swapped mine out for the 5 x 4.75 car bolt pattern when I installed a power disc brake kit

[jetnow1]

If your truck is 8 lug it is at least a 3/4 ton- the spindles are different than the 1/2 ton so
the brake swaps to car 4.75 or truck 5 pattern will not work. Easy way is to find a 1/2 ton
front end take off and swap the axle/spindles which allows the brake swap. 3/4 ton and
1/2 ton used the same front springs so you only loose a few lbs capacity due to the lighter
axle. You could also get a lowered axle from Sids- either 1/2 or 3/4 ton. There are smaller
8 lug wheels also- a smaller diam tire would also lower you. My 3/4 ton came with 15 inch
wheels- stock widowmakers.

[jeffrow62]

What did you do to your truck? I'm getting the feeling buying the 3/4 ton was a mistake, maybe 3100 would have been better choice.
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[jeffrow62]

Thanks jet for the reply. I'm changing my game plan a bit. Changing all the front and back axels might be a bit out of my knowlage and finances. I got quoted at a pick a part for a rear end for 200.00. I've heard people gett
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[jeffrow62]

Getting them for 75.00?!
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[mr48chev]

Getting what for 75.00?

It would be easy enough to get a set of 15 x 7 or 15 x 8 wheels that were 8 lug and run some fairly low profile tires on them to drop the truck a few inches with no other changes.

Still it's what the plans for the truck are and how you intend to use it. One thing that I hate to see guys do is spend money on stuff as a "get by move" and then have the money for the build tied up in the get by stuff.

[jeffrow62]

Sorry Mr48chev, the thread dropped me.. A rear axel for $75.00. I've decided to keep the truck stock with the exception of the rims. I will go to a smaller 8 lug rim like the 15by 7. Everything else will be stock. I will lower it 4 inches with a set up from Sids and taking a few rear leafs out. I just cant see stripping all the axels off the truck, for money and time reasons. Looks like its going to be low and very slow. I'm a little bummed and concerned about the top speed being 40mph. But for me the car is some american history, Im just going to bring it back to life as best I can. Wish me luck !!

[jetnow1]

Rear end will vary in cost depending on which rear end and where you are.
Around here I can get an explorer rear end for about 150., but a 9 inch
ford would be much more. GM used the same rear end into the 60's- there
are some that have better gearing but they are hard to find. There are reports
of some later 8 lug pumpkins fitting these rears also, if so that would open
up your choices. Front axles from a 1/2 ton that is getting an independent
front end are easy to come by if needed.

GM switched to bendix brakes about 1953 in the 3/4 tons- would give you better brakes while keeping originality close to impossible for anyone to
tell.

My truck is going to get a 1/2 ton axle w/ a disc brake conversion as well
as the explorer rear axle. There is very few ways to build a truck cheaply,
you will always here about someone who did it cheaper but you have to wonder what they are not including.

[Coach529]

My 3600 was a 1949 and had worn out Huck brakes. Parts were either astronomical or unavailable.

I installed a 1998 Blazer rear end which I think I pad $75 for.

Front I went with a 1/2 ton front axle and a Speedway front disc kit.

Could not be happier.