07 20" wheels on 72?

[snakeplisken]

I would like to put a set of the new 20" wheels off a Tahoe (6 x 5.5") on my 72 Chevy 1/2ton short bed. Has anyone done this or know what it would take to do it? The truck is an all stock (2wd) 72 Super Cheyenne that was restored before I purchased it. Only thing missing is the factory radio and wheels. I think it would look nice to add a little new school factory look to it but not sure if it is possible.
This is my first time so be easy on me.

[LOW DOUGH]

Your 72 is a 5 lug truck. The 20's are six lug. You could convert the front to 69 or earlier spindles and do a disk brake conversion and find a 69 or later rear axle. 67-69 1/2 tons are 6 lug. And so are 60 to 66.

[snakeplisken]

The bolt pattern guide I am looking at shows 67-87 all being 5 x 5" (1/2 ton 2wd). Were the 67-69 different? It doesn't show the 60-66. Thanks for the help.

[LOW DOUGH]

Yep, That is correct. I changed tires for 5 years so I saw it all. I can't help it when i pull up to a light, I look at the cars tires beside me. So, I see the wheel too. It would be a costly job to do the conversion just for those wheels. The 07 Tahoo is a 6 lug truck right?

[snakeplisken]

Yes the Tahoe is 6 lug. I can pick up the wheels and tires (275/55/20) for around $1300. They would look so nice on this truck so I wouldn't mind spending some money to have something different than the rest but still somewhat of a factory look. I just need to locate the correct parts and plan of attack and will have to pay someone to do the work. I was hoping someone had already tried it since there so many of the factory 20's out there for sale.

[70rs/ss]

Spend the $1300 on 5 lug wheels with the correct offset for your truck. The new stuff sets in about 2"'s further than our trucks like. You'd have to switch to 6-lug, then open the hole up in the center of the wheel, then you'd need a 1-2" wide spacer to get the wheels to look correct. So ya, go by a set of wheels for your 5 lug truck with the 4-5" BS and be done with it.

[snakeplisken]

I know I'm reaching here but I saw spacers somewhere that would convert 5 x5" to 6 x 5.5". The reason I didn't try one was because they were 2" thick. (that would bring me out the 2" needed to make it look right??) also the reference I am looking at shows the center bore the same size on the 72 and 07.(78.3) Yeh I know I should buy the 5 lug but love the look of the new wheel if I could make it work somehow. Thanks for the reply

[70rs/ss]

Those spacers from one lug pattern to another are like $100-200 a piece!! Try to find an aftermarket that look like the OE wheel, cause you'll be fighting and uphill battle. Check the backspacing on the new wheel, I'll bet they sit in too far, and the center hole is too small on the factory wheels. It can be done, but a lot of $$$ and time will be spent to get it to work and half the $$$ could be saved by doing an aftermarket, bolt up type wheel.

[Longhorn Man]

If the wheels you are looking at or from a 4X4, then the hub pilot hole might be the same as the old wheels, but i am not certian of that. I do know, the hub pilot hole is in fact smaller on late model stuff.
Before shelling out any money for spacers, check the local legality. There are regulations on the use of those in some states, and for good reason. I would recomend installing new lugs, and lug nuts if you go that route. Broken studs suck, esp if more than one go at a time.
I totally agree that you are looking at a bunch of money to get wheels that may or may not look good. New 6 lug rotors can be found for 160 bucks, then you'd have to swap out the axle shafts... a later '70 rear would have the shafts you need... the early 70 had a narrower rear, so you'd have to make sure of the length. You would be able to sell your 5 lug shafts, probably for more than the 6lug ones would cost, so there's no real cost on that end. Once you tried to install the wheels, you'd discover that the hole in question does in fact need bored out, after shelling out money at a machine shop, you'll be able to put the wheels on, however, esp with the extreem width, you'll probably find that they will rub on the inside. Up front will probably be when you crank the wheel all the way to one side or the other, and if not, then certinaly upon hitting a pump with the wheel cranked... like entering a driveway. The rear may not rub, but you'll also need to look at when the truck is loaded, or when you hit a bump, becouse the track arm makes the axle move to one side upon compressing the coils. So now you'll need the spacers that may or may not be street legal in your area, the only ones that are almost worth having are VERY expensive, as mentioned before. If your truck is lowered, it'll possibly agrivate the problems, if it isn't, it'll kinda look like a Donk, which would be a bad thing.
Are these the wheels you want?

[snakeplisken]

Those are the wheels! I am pretty sure the center hole is the same. The ones I measured came off a 2005 4wd. The spacers are about $250 a set and obviously not returnable so that route would be a loss if they don't fit. I can always sell the wheels or put them on my 01 truck. The tires on the truck now are 275/60/15 and were very close to the same width as the 275/55/20 that I looked at. The 20's were about 2-3" taller. So about $160 for new 6 lug rotors (is that for the set?) How much would the rear axle shafts be? Any idea how many hours the job would take to swap out those parts? Thanks for your help

[72short]

how much does a set of those wheels cost? i have 6 lug on my truck and fits 295's under it would they fit on my truck?

[snakeplisken]

They are on E-bay all the time for $1200-1400 with tires. How did you end up with 6 lug on your truck?? Is it 4wd?