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Old 06-19-2013, 11:24 AM   #1
hath
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Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

Why are guys converting their trucks form 6 lug to 5? I'm looking to stick some old painted steel wheels on a 6 lug truck, plus give it a static drop. Any foreseeable issues?
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Old 06-19-2013, 11:39 AM   #2
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Re: Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

I think it has to do with the availability of after-market wheels/brake systems.
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Old 06-19-2013, 11:39 AM   #3
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Re: Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

The main reason is the disc brake switch. In 71 the factory went to 5 lug with disc brakes so most people just upgrade to that.
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Old 06-19-2013, 12:15 PM   #4
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Re: Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

They hit it, disc brake conversions and aftermarket wheels are 2 of the biggest reasons. There are a BUTT load of 5 lug front and rear disc brake conversions. A few front and rear disc brake conversions for 6 lug, and 1 front 8 lug disc brake conversion. And the disc brake conversions for 6 & 8 lug are pretty much stock parts with modified brackets. The 5 lug conversions are available in 1, 2, 4, even 6 piston calipers, different size rotors, etc.

I personally like the 8 lug, of course I was given 3 options when I went for a set of 22s, and 1 of those options even said "offroad" on the rim lip. There's no way I'm going to throw a 5 or 6 lug conversion on the rear just so I can have 4 wheel disc.

If you're on 6 lugs now, and you're going with steel wheels anyway, then don't change. If you want 4 wheel disc but don't plan on racing your truck, it's available, and cheaply. If you want aftermarket wheels, they're available everywhere.

Of course the very best reason to do any conversion is for the toys. If I was going to do a conversion it would be for the suspension parts. The 8 lug c10 gets 0, yup a big whopping 0 options for worthwhile suspension upgrades. But do a google search for A arms for a 5 lug c10 and see if you can count them all. I would love to get my hands on some ridetech control arms, drop spindles, etc, but I don't want to change out the K Member. I thought about swapping out my K member and rear end JUST for the suspension parts. (not now that I've spent $2300 on rims and tires, but IF)

For giggles you can go backwards and convert to 8 lug, I'm sure there's a few dozen guys who'd love to trade for your 6 lug gear. :P
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Old 06-19-2013, 12:42 PM   #5
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Re: Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

back when I converted mine there were no aftermarket 6 lug rotors available.so if you wanted discs,you got 5 lug.if I could have bought 6 lug rotors and not had to swap rear axles I would have been happy to.the downside is aftermarket sources can go out of business and you cant run down to your local parts store and buy a 6 lug rotor
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Old 06-19-2013, 12:51 PM   #6
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Re: Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

Quote:
Originally Posted by volksworld View Post
back when I converted mine there were no aftermarket 6 lug rotors available.so if you wanted discs,you got 5 lug.if I could have bought 6 lug rotors and not had to swap rear axles I would have been happy to.the downside is aftermarket sources can go out of business and you cant run down to your local parts store and buy a 6 lug rotor
88-98 Light Duty C2500s have the correct 6 lug rotor...


With the availability of 5 and 6 lug disc brake conversions now, the real issue is wheel choice. 5 lug offers many more choices in wheels, especially with the classic "5 spoke" look. Since the OP is looking to keep stock looking steel wheels, he will have no issue, except that some stock steel wheels do not fit over the disc brakes.
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Old 06-19-2013, 12:56 PM   #7
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Re: Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

There isn't any way to compare stock 1960s/70s brakes to a modern 4 wheel disc setup. I remember way back in the day how much work it was to do conversions. Now it's all bolt on. I did a few cars without any issues. The custom brake kits could have that concern of "holy crap! wilwood went under! now what?" issue (not that wilwood would go under anytime soon, but it's possible). The last car I did was done with the right stuff detailing kit. they use factory gm parts with their brackets. I like it because even if they go under and I can no longer get my free pads, I can just go down and buy some Cadillac pads.
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Old 06-19-2013, 03:26 PM   #8
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Re: Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

GCncsuHD...good to know about those rotors...checked and the wheel bearings are the same...swear I've never seen them mentioned on the disc conversion threads...of course,they didn't exist either when I converted mine in 1980...
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Old 06-19-2013, 03:51 PM   #9
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Re: Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

The other thing is that many of the stock 6 lug wheels don't clear discs.And later wheels have a different offset.
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Old 06-21-2013, 07:27 AM   #10
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Re: Why not stick with 6 lug wheels?

I'm keeping mine 6 lug. I bought the CPP 6 lug brake kit for mine. I'm running my 15x8 steelies and I have no reason to change to 5 bolt.
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