Legacy 59

[autowrench]

The rear axle is from a big Pontiac and is 64" wide already. I can get adapters that are 1" to 1.25" thick. I realize it is a possible weak link. My main goal now is to have 4 wheels that are the same to move it around when I get the MII suspension installed. Also I can remove the spacers and that change is not permanent. I have a donor van with 4 5x5 wheels available to me. That's a part of why I'm looking a options again.

[autowrench]

I am also looking in to finding just rotors with a 5X5 pattern that would work with the brake calipers and mounts I have. I tried Fatman Fabrications a while back and they could only sell me a whole new kit with rotors, calipers, bearings and such. Now they are out of business. I'm not sure I could be accurate enough to drill out the holes for new lugs on the existing rotors. Either way, I need to upgrade to Premium membership so I can sell off the extra parts I'm going to have. Front axle, steering box, Camaro clip...

[autowrench]

Okay, I just sent off to upgrade my membership. The trouble is that nearly everything I want to unload is big or heavy and located in Montana!

[dsraven]

you can easily drill your existing rotors and axles using this tool.drill your new pattern between the old pattern. i made my on tool. the hardest part was getting the old studs out and the new ones in without removing the axle. thats not hard either and could be done when you pull the cover, check the diff guts, clean it, flush it, swap in a new cover gasket and change the diff fluid/anti slip additive

https://www.hellsgatehotrods.com/pro.../drill-guides/

[dsraven]

here is another drill guide
https://m.roadkillcustoms.com/wheel-...ill-guide-jig/

[autowrench]

Thanks, Dennis! After looking at the links you sent, I should be able to drill a new pattern with that drill guide. Way easier than finding a pair of rotors that work with my disc rotors. I will need to get some 5X4.75 wheels from a salvage yard or somewhere. I need to examine the internals of the rear axle anyway before assuming it's all good.

[dsraven]

S10? Pretty common. Maybe pick n pull. Gotta know your offset desired first. Also remember they gotta fit over the calipers

[autowrench]

No pick n pull close to here. Maybe Spokane or Missoula. I have a S-10 spare wheel I can use to test fit. It is from a 1990. Should work with disc brakes. I'm hoping to clear out my garage
and get started soon. Right now I just want to make it a roller with the new front suspension.

[autowrench]

The drill guide only is available in 1/2-20 or 7/16. No metric sizes. So much for having the rear same as the front. I don't have to do anything immediately, so I can kick that can down the road a ways. Front disc brake rotors are 5x4.75, 12MM-1.5. The studs are countersunk into the rotor from the back side. That is why I focused on the rear at first. looks like it won't be the easy one!

[dsraven]

check on the napa or dorman sites or others that manufacture or sell wheel studs. they don't have to be countersunk into the rear axle, they just gotta have the same diameter and thread as the front wheels have. you could drill the axles to fit the knurled area of the new stud, that creates the press fit, and then install a wheel stud that would fit the drilled hole. when I did my last set I found some common studs that had the same diameter, thread pitch and were long enough to allow for the axle flange thickness, the rotor thickness and wheel thickness. then I drilled the axle flanges to the correct size for the press fit on those studs.

[autowrench]

Math was never my strong suit. I was perhaps looking at things the wrong way and should have started my calculations based on 7/16 studs upsizing to 12mm. When I looked at the product reviews, some of them said they converted to 12mm studs. At least one said they went with the 7/16 drill guide. I just don't think I could freehand drill it with just a template and achieve any accuracy. But I will ask Hellgate Hotrods what size bit the 7/16" drill guide uses and what the recommended knurl size of the stud is. Then I can look at what is available. Lots of other stuff going on as well!

[dsraven]

see what you can find for a stud that matches and is long enough. then get the drill guide that works, OR, get the smaller drill guide and first drill the holes slightly smaller, then use a tapered drill reamer to finish drilling to the correct size for the new studs. the smaller drilled hole will guide the reamer. you would need to remove the axles of course. OR, with the axles removed a machne shop could drill and press in the studs for you. thats the spendy option unless you know somebody with a lathe

https://canadaweldingsupply.ca/produ...42524256960685

[dsraven]

if you have access to a drill press you could drill/ream the holes straight.

[autowrench]

Thanks! I will keep looking in to available wheel studs and check with the drill guide supplier about what size bit comes with the 7/16' set. I did find 1/2-20 lug nuts with a 3/4" hex. At least I could use the same lug wrench that way.

[autowrench]

Well, Dang it! I got the 59 over to the garage and decided to mock up the Chassis Engineering bolt in crossmember withe the parts from Fatman. I wanted to see which way the axle centerline was going to move. The lower control arm wouldn't fit! It was noticeably too narrow to mount up and put the bolt in. So back to the drawing board. Thankfully, I should be able to leave it in the garage for a long time if I need to this Fall. I put out a feeler to Chassis Engineering to see what it's going to cost me to use more of their parts. It's looking like I may end up selling the Fatman kit or parts of it to someone willing to use it.

[autowrench]

Update: I got lower control arms and steering rack extension kit from Chassis
Engineering/Heidt's. Great customer service! I also got a pair of Vision Rally wheels from Jegs. Salvage yard wanted $40 each. These were $66 each plus shipping. I did NOT expect center caps to be included! So, small progress.

[autowrench]

Guess I should have resized the picture a little bit. Now to buy some cheap tires to move it around on when I get to that point. I swore I wasn't going to buy wheels until later in the project. At least they didn't break the bank.

[B52bobardier1]

Hello,

I ran a set of those wheels, rings and center caps on my 70 El Camino for maybe two years before giving up on them on the two front wheels. I kept losing those plastic center caps that would pop off the front wheels upon hitting rough roads.

I still have these on the back wheels with no problems. I eventually got a set of original Rally wheels, center caps and rings from the CTC Auto Ranch in Denton, TX for the front wheels. Great price, they look good and I have yet to lose another center cap.

I certainly hope that your experience with your center caps will be different.

Rick

[autowrench]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm a long way from driving this truck. I appreciate the warning about the center caps. If I stick with these wheels, I will look into better quality caps.