55.2-59 Help me decide......

[toymanbob]

what to do. I welded on a Camaro front clip and installed a 454 and turbo 400 trans and with the deal, I got a rear clip from an '85 with these cool wheels. I never considered that they were 5 on 5" and wouldn't fit the front. I jumped on the chance for two more free ones only to discover the wouldn't fit the front. It all would have worked out if it weren't for the need of the 1 1/2" adapter needed to fit the wheels. Now they sit too wide and hit the fenders. I rolled the fenders a little but don't want to flare them so, do i
Buy narrower front wheels that are 5 on 5, or
Do a body lift, or
Replace the tired old Camaro coils to raise the front, or
??????
I'm so ready to make my first test drive, everything else is done. Well, I still need to bolt the seat, put on a door, etc, etc

[Getter-Done]

I would probably replace the springs and see what that does.

Here's a flip.

















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[1project2many]

Hmmm... What year Camaro front? Maybe a guy could find front rotors with 5 on 5 pattern? Maybe a guy could have the rotors redrilled?

Used to be one could buy universal Cragars that fit both patterns. Maybe a set will fall into your lap? Maybe you already have that type wheel?

If you have a leaf spring rear, maybe locating a different axle with already matching pattern would be a good solution?

[SFFD103]

What’s your cheapest option?

[MiraclePieCo]

Lifting the suspension or body will ruin your stance. Wheel change is the quickest, easiest option, with unlimited options of size, diameter, offset, backspacing, etc. No one will know they are different lug patterns.

[mr48chev]

I'm too tired to do the research right now but Some snooping might let you figure out if you can swap GM big car spindles with the 5 on 5 bolt pattern and larger brakes.

Something off a 79 or so Caprice. Several of those smaller body 77/82 or so GM full size came with a 5 on 5 bolt pattern while the less expensive model had 5 on 4-3/4 and smaller rotors.

You would have to find out if the spindles fit the ball joints or the big car ball joints will fit the the control arms.

[mick53]

Does the 5 X 5 lug pattern limit your wheel choices?

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by mick53

Does the 5 X 5 lug pattern limit your wheel choices?

He is only wanting to do that because he already has the "dream set of wheels" that he didn't measure first.

Rear axles and drums can be redrilled but often rotors can't

[mr48chev]

I'm rested up and while my photos from Hot Rod-A-Rama load on the Hamb (not too many AD or TF trucks there) I'll see if I can figure out something.


Going with a 75 Camaro as a starting point.

Upper Ball joint using Moog numbers is a K-5208
Lower Ball joint is a Moog K5145T

outer tie rod ends are MOOG ES441RL

Going with a 79 Chevy caprice

Upper ball joint is a K5208

Lower is a K 5145T

79 caprice outer tie rod ends are MOOG ES2019RLT
Meaning you should be able to put 79 (that series) front spindles straight on your Camaro Stub and have 5 on 5 as long as you find the spindles with 5 on 5. You might have to juggle tie rod ends a bit to get the right length and fit. Length is close to the same but without having two laying on the bench it is hard to find out the difference.

First thing though is to go see your buddy at the parts house and have them dig out the outer tie rod ends for a 75 Camaro and for a 79 Caprice and see what the actual difference is. Main thing to look are the thread diameters on the end and the size of the tapered studs.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by toymanbob

I'm so ready to make my first test drive, everything else is done.

sorry, i'm not seeing that first test drive unless it stays in the driveway

[mr48chev]

What's the plan for the rear axle? That deep of a reverse is going to put the tires well outside the fenders unless you have a real narrow axle.

[toymanbob]

I really appreciate all the input, some good ideas. I'm leaning toward redrilling the rotors as that would be the cleanest solution. I could remove the adapters and that would move the wheels inboard 1 1/2" which should fix my problem. The drill guide is available from Hellsgate Hotrods for about $135. That is a savings over other solutions. Any thoughts ? Bob

[1project2many]

Drilling is often an easy solution. I've drilled rotors before and I think the guides can make it easier.

I tend to think like Mr48 though... If you can find a 5X5 rotor that fits without drilling it might be a better choice.

Good luck!

[dsraven]

all said and done, lower control arms need to be level with the ground, side to side, for proper geometry and steering, so it makes sense to get that part right and then see what ride height you have after that. they also need to be level fore to aft so get that right and see if you like the rake angle like that. THEN worry about wheels and bolt patterns etc. you can use some threaded rod in place of the shocks to get the control arm adjusted level. see if you need to change the springs or not after that. install tires of the correct size that you will use when done so the ride height and rake angle will be correct as well as the fender clearance.
sorry, don't mean to rain on your parade, just trying to help you get through to your road test safely.
proper wheel and tire size is important. sometimes we opt for the cheaper, cooler looking option rather than doing the math and figuring out what we actually want/need to make things work with our set up. if you have a cool set of wheels that will not work it is better to raffle them off now rather than modify the truck to fit the wheels. I know, you didn't wanna hear that. sorry. been there, spent more money and time doing that.

[6DoF]

quick, easy, cheap ... you only get to pick 2

are you in this build for looks or for performance?

did you cut off the inner lip that's rolled into the fender? you could probably flare the fender a touch more without to much notice too, or do a lot and own it. good shocks and bump stops to limit up-travel. does the 'Guldstrand mod' work on that year Camaro suspension for more negative camber gain? could section 1/2" out of the control arms to narrow things up, but then you better not care about geometry. i bet you can find some 1" wheel adapters. i know you can find/make a wheel stud re-drilling jig to put a dual pattern in those hubs.

find some junkyard doughnut spare tires (i mean drag skinnies) to run for the first test drive?

[toymanbob]

I got smart and found some wheels that don't rub. They are American Racing mags, old school that look similar to the fake Cragars on the rear. The first drive was fun! There must be excessive smoke in those rear tires as a lot escaped! It will need a posi soon. Bob

[Getter-Done]

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