8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ncC20 · 01-04-2007, 11:01 PM

Ok heres my problem i have a 72 c20 truck.Which is an 8 lug and i cant find any nice wheels for. So i want to convert it to a 5 or 6. My ? is what parts do i need to do this. Is there a factory set up that will bolt up

poorboy · 01-05-2007, 12:27 AM

You can get a rear end from a 1/2 ton. In the front you will have to swap arms and spindels.

ncC20 · 01-05-2007, 06:01 PM

Will only the 67-72 spindles fit ?

manimal · 01-05-2007, 08:42 PM

No. You can bolt on a set of 73-87 uppr/lower arms and spindles from a 1/2ton 2wd. If you have leaf springs I think you can also find a 12 bolt rear end from same 73-87 1/2 ton truck and it will bolt in.DONT QUOTE ME ON ANY OF THIS FOR I TOO AM LEARNING THE SAME!!

corn · 01-05-2007, 09:14 PM

Isnt this truck a 3/4 ton?

1969K10 · 01-05-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncC20

Ok heres my problem i have a 72 c20 truck.Which is an 8 lug and i cant find any nice wheels for.

I don't think your looking much - JMHO
It'd be easier & cheaper to find some nice 8 luggers...

72slam · 01-05-2007, 11:01 PM

I just changed my 72 c20 to c10. I took my old rear axle to the junkyard and they gave me an even trade for a 1975 12 bolt rear. The front I used ECE drop spindles designed for c20 to c10 conversion. Bolts right in, then use standard c10 brake rotors. You can use existing calipers.

poorboy · 01-05-2007, 11:48 PM

I would think you would have a better rim selection with all the newer 3/4 tons on the road. You see everything from stock size replacements to 22's on them.

Toms Truckin · 01-06-2007, 01:04 AM

I have found the same problem for my 72 8 lug. There are a few rims out there that look decent for it. But, with my axle stubs sticking out so far, I couldn't get a single dust cap to fit over them. I will be doing the same thing to my truck. There's obviously more options out there in the 5 lug world, they are definitely sportier. Plus I am looking forward to ditching my 4.11 rear end for something a little more gas friendly. And I'd get a good chance to clean it up before installing it.

Fred T · 01-06-2007, 01:10 AM

Rim selection for the 8 lug is poor. And the 4.10 gears are lousy.

I would go to a junkyard and get parts off a 73-87 1/2 ton. The entire front crossmember and steering gear. It's almost a bolt-in. From the back, get the differential and springs. This will have your truck riding on 1/2 ton suspension with disc brakes up front, power steering and power brakes (if you don't have them, get the parts) and better gearing for driving. You will also need a u-joint to go from your 3/4 ton driveshaft to the 1/2 ton, but any good auto parts store should have that.

ncC20 · 01-06-2007, 02:16 PM

Hey thanks form the info guys. I had been told by a guy b4 that the 73-87 would work but wasnt 4sure he new what he was talking bout. Hey corn u have ne more pics or info on the two pics u posted i really like what i see

01-04-2007, 11:01 PM	#1
ncC20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 13	8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion Ok heres my problem i have a 72 c20 truck.Which is an 8 lug and i cant find any nice wheels for. So i want to convert it to a 5 or 6. My ? is what parts do i need to do this. Is there a factory set up that will bolt up

01-05-2007, 12:27 AM	#2
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: 8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion You can get a rear end from a 1/2 ton. In the front you will have to swap arms and spindels.

01-05-2007, 06:01 PM	#3
ncC20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 13	Re: 8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion Will only the 67-72 spindles fit ?

01-05-2007, 08:42 PM	#4
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: 8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion No. You can bolt on a set of 73-87 uppr/lower arms and spindles from a 1/2ton 2wd. If you have leaf springs I think you can also find a 12 bolt rear end from same 73-87 1/2 ton truck and it will bolt in.DONT QUOTE ME ON ANY OF THIS FOR I TOO AM LEARNING THE SAME!!

01-05-2007, 09:14 PM	#5
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: 8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion Isnt this truck a 3/4 ton? Last edited by corn; 10-04-2007 at 06:37 PM.

01-05-2007, 11:01 PM	#7
72slam Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 19	Re: 8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion I just changed my 72 c20 to c10. I took my old rear axle to the junkyard and they gave me an even trade for a 1975 12 bolt rear. The front I used ECE drop spindles designed for c20 to c10 conversion. Bolts right in, then use standard c10 brake rotors. You can use existing calipers.

01-05-2007, 11:48 PM	#8
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: 8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion I would think you would have a better rim selection with all the newer 3/4 tons on the road. You see everything from stock size replacements to 22's on them.

01-06-2007, 01:04 AM	#9
Toms Truckin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Salinas Posts: 21	Re: 8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion I have found the same problem for my 72 8 lug. There are a few rims out there that look decent for it. But, with my axle stubs sticking out so far, I couldn't get a single dust cap to fit over them. I will be doing the same thing to my truck. There's obviously more options out there in the 5 lug world, they are definitely sportier. Plus I am looking forward to ditching my 4.11 rear end for something a little more gas friendly. And I'd get a good chance to clean it up before installing it. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra Grande

01-06-2007, 01:10 AM	#10
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: 8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion Rim selection for the 8 lug is poor. And the 4.10 gears are lousy. I would go to a junkyard and get parts off a 73-87 1/2 ton. The entire front crossmember and steering gear. It's almost a bolt-in. From the back, get the differential and springs. This will have your truck riding on 1/2 ton suspension with disc brakes up front, power steering and power brakes (if you don't have them, get the parts) and better gearing for driving. You will also need a u-joint to go from your 3/4 ton driveshaft to the 1/2 ton, but any good auto parts store should have that. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

01-06-2007, 02:16 PM	#11
ncC20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: north carolina Posts: 13	Re: 8 lug to 5 or 6 conversion Hey thanks form the info guys. I had been told by a guy b4 that the 73-87 would work but wasnt 4sure he new what he was talking bout. Hey corn u have ne more pics or info on the two pics u posted i really like what i see



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