5 or 6 lug

[wphilipw]

Hey guys. I'm about to start my first build. It's a 70 C10 that was my grandparents. I plan on starting off with brakes and suspension going discs and a small drop. Thinking 2/4. I see a lot of 5 lug conversations but that would make me change axles. What's the pro/con? Is 5 lug worth the extra work? Thanks for the help.

[jocko]

Welcome wphilipw - my personal preference on a pre-71 is for a 6 lug front disk brake kit - I also like ECE https://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog...&keys=&=Search. If you go this route, you can go stock height or accomplish a planned drop in the process with drop spindles, if that floats your boat. A little less expensive because you can leave the rear totally stock. Some people feel there is an expanded wheel selection by converting front and back to 5 lug - but it all depends what wheels you want to run on your truck. Several companies sell rear 5 lug conversion kits that are fairly straightforward to install. If you want to run stock steel wheels so you can run stock caps or wheel covers, keep in mind that pre-71 6 lug steelies will not clear the caliper - you would need 71-87 6 lug wheels off of a K5 or K10. They clear calipers but retain the same bolt circle etc as pre-71 6 lug wheels. Also keep in mind that a front crossmember swap from a 71/72 will also accomplish your 5 lug disk brake conversion - then you just need to convert the rear to 5 lug. While some people mix 5 front and 6 back, I don't really recommend it - they only look the same if you're running 5 and 6 lug steelies with a cap or wheel cover and you'd need 2 spares unless you feel really lucky.

If you select the 67-72chevytrucks.com radio button in the search window above and type in disk brake conversion or swap or whatever, you'll find about a million threads on this subj.

Good ref for you starts at post #4: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456889

[wphilipw]

Thanks for the info jocko. I'm going to check that link out. ive got big plans but little experience so I'm sure I will have many more questions.

[Mike C]

My preference was to convert my 69 to 5 lug. I want a 2x4 dropped hot rod with appropriate rims and the 6 lug wheel choice is lousy IMO.

$100 I saved on the front by doing 5 went to buy a Craigslist ‘72 5 lug rear. In the end cost a little more than doing just the front 6 lug swap, but the MUCH cooler wheels I wound up with were worth every $.

[sircrunch]

what kind of wheels do you want? if you want steel wheels with caps, just stay with the 6 lug.

If you want almost any other wheel, go with 5 lug.

[wphilipw]

I'd like to go with something similar to a Foose legend. 18 or 20. I understand the 6 lug has 7/16" lugs also. Prob another strike against aftermarket wheels. I was planning on freshening up the rear end eventually anyway. I assume I can swap the axles to 5 lug without too much trouble?

[LH Lead-Foot]

That is the $2,000 question. 6 lug rear axles are longer than 5 lug stock. You will have to purchase aftermarket 5 lug axles or the another diff housing complete. As for the front, I look around and see six lug on everything newer. I did not want to drop mine, but want disc/drum for a reliable daily driver. The lower control arm (Empty/Bare) come from a C20. The control arm shaft is the same so re-use or get new as it is 50 years old, I went new. Fitment is C10, C20, P30 68-89, P30 68-98, G30 Van 70-96...remains the same. A disc brake spindle/knuckle is harvested from C1500 heavy-half 88-98, C2500 88-99 GVW 7200 (Light Duty), Lower BJ, C1500 heavy half 88-92, Upper BJ, C1500 88-99 heavy half G2500 Van GVW 7200 96-02, Outer TRE G2500 Van GVW 7200 96-02, Inner TRE Caprice 77-96, Impala 77-96, etc. TRE Sleeve 11/16" 4.25" length application Chevy 66-04 all, 12" brake hose ACDelco 18J2172, Calipers GVW 7200 Astro 90-92, C2500 88-98 LD, K2500 88-98 Fleetwood 90-92, Deville 90-93, banjo bolts, washers, brgs, dust cap, etc. Bone yard spindles $44, Rock Auto, all other $300. I have the ACDelco pads 17D369CH ceramic w/hardware. This front suspension is 1/2 - 3/4 ton up to 2002 applications and for around $360, using Pacer Wheels 187P-6883 ET-10, 8X16 sell for $110 each. Tires, your choice. The ET-10m off-set from center places the center of the tire near to zero-scrub while clearing suspension components. Brake hose will bolt on with 3/8 -24. Change the proportioning valve, brake booster and off-set bracket if needed. Other issues, purchase hub center/bore rings to support the wheels. The factory is 90mm, wheels 101.6mm. New front spindles will have smaller hub bores. It is a change to replace worn parts, using common off the self parts and install new springs...remember, it's 50 years old. Just a suggestion.

[demian5]

I'm staying 6-lug when I convert. My plan is to get transport wheels or similar down the road, or leave it looking like the time capsule it is.

[GASoline71]

Just get the Moser 5-lug conversion axles for the narrower 1967-1970 rear end housing. I have a 1969 housing that I put the Moser axles in and they are perfect. From Summit racing they are $260 bucks free shipping to your doorstep.

Gary

[wphilipw]

Dang. Lead Foot is dropping some knowledge. Gonna read through that and take some notes. Also gonna check on the moser conversation. That sounds like what I had in mind GASoline71. Thanks for all the info. Got a lot to learn.

[Justin Jones]

We are going to do a 5 lug conversion on our '69 GMC. We'll still use steel wheels with hubcaps. The 6 lug rotor is a conversion rotor. The 5 lug rotor can be bought from a parts store if desired. If you order all of your parts, that's not a big deal to get the 6 lug rotor. There may be a 6 lug off the shelf rotor that can be used but I'm not aware of one.

[wphilipw]

That's a good point Justin. Hadn't though of that.

[bbrriiaann1973]

5 lug 2wd

6 lug 4wd