Why switch from 6 to 5 lug?

[maschka]

I have been poking around the site and have noticed that a fair amount of people are switching from a 6 lug to a 5 lug. Is there a reason that I am not seeing for this or is it just because people want to? I am getting ready to swap over to 4 wheel disk brakes and this is the time to swap if its important. Thanks for the help.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Wheel choice is the #1 reason. Some form or another of 5 spoke wheels has been extremely popular for a long time and you can only get them if you have 5 lugs.

Also, aftermarket 6 lug rotors are $ so when doing a disc brake upgrade, etc, people swap to the more common 5 lug.

[Mr Chevorlet]

I think its because there are more wheel choices, but don't hold me to it.

[michael bustamante]

definatly wheel choices. also 5 lug rotors ( and other assoc. parts) are available still at the auto parts stores. 6 lug rotors are ordered thru our vendors, not avail thru autozone.
also some people like the idea of the rear axle being wider as well.

[SeniorVerde]

It's mostly a matter of personal preference and like you said, when you are at the point of an upgrade, there's your time to do it (or not).
I changed to 5 lug because I didn't like the looks of anything I could find in 6 lug pattern.
However, there are tons of 6 lug options when you factor in all the stock and take-offs from newer larger diameter GM stuff (Escalades, Avalanche, Trail Blazer)... As well as the 6 lug Toyota stuff.
Not too long after my swap to 5 lug (of course) GM issues these on newer suburbans in a 6 lug which I think would have looked great.
Well, guess I need to buy another truck with 6 lugs now!

[69 GMC Daily Driver]

I did the switch on my 70 GMC. On my 70 Chevy I did not. There is an advantage to wheel selection with a 5 lug pattern....... but with the wheels I wanted for my 70 Chevy, both were available. I did a major brake upgrade on my 70 Chevy and it's still 6 lug.......

[Me&My53]

Most 6 lug wheels are also kind of narrow. Where if converted to 5 lug you could get wider wheels.
When I bought my 53 it had been converted to 5 lug but they left the drum brakes on all 4 corners as well.
and they had put some hidious old school aluminum 14" wheels staggered with 8" wide on the front and 10" wide on the rear.
Joe

[boraxman]

Yup wheel choice...I am running 20" Centerlines in 6 lug though/

[cleanfreak]

Might have simply started because of parts availability. It was a cheap upgrade to disks when used parts were easier to find in the wrecker, and parts trucks were everywhere. With 6 lug disk kits being easier to buy , and less 5 bolt part trucks laying around , the choice becomes a little different.

[Heavymetl]

Simply laziness. Tightening 6 bolts every time one removes and replaces a wheel is just too much work. By the time you've done all 4 you've nearly installed a fifth five lug wheel!

But seriously, wheel choice is easily the biggest factor. 5x5 is common as corn and allows some nice variety and sizing. I feel like every six lug truck I see is running the same ol' stuff. Rallies, stockers, slots, or some "unconventionally attractive " wheel.