5 Lug vs 6 Lug

[engrdean]

Alright, this may be a dumb question, but what is the difference between 5 lug and 6 lug wheels, other than the obvious fact that there is an additional lug? I assume that it is to distribute the stresses felt at the wheel across 6 studs as opposed to 5. Is one more widely available than the other? If 6 lug is stronger, would there be any reason to convert to 5 lug wheels?

[jimmydean]

5 lug has a lot more wheel choices.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

5 lug has a lot more wheel choices.

Not necessarily true. Look for a wheel you like, then see what lug pattern it is available in. I just got through doing this and I liked and saw many more 6 lug wheels than 5. Just personal preference.

[71chevylowrider]

if we're talking specifically about 67-72 chevy/gmc 1/2 tone trucks then it goes something like this, 67-70.5 are 6 lug drum brake & the rearends are slightly narrower (I think about 2" total) 70.5 to 72 had 5 lug drum breaks & came with the wider rearend, & alot of the rear disk brake options (junkyard finds for instance) are usually always 5 lug.

[Longhorn Man]

no 5 lug drums ever made... not on these trucks.
6lug would be up to and including 70, then in 71, they went to 5 lug, which was disk.
If you are lookin at goin with disks, I say stick with the 5 lug stuff, that way you can get rotors from any parts house in the nation, on any day of the year.

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by jlaird

Not necessarily true. Look for a wheel you like, then see what lug pattern it is available in. I just got through doing this and I liked and saw many more 6 lug wheels than 5. Just personal preference.

I am talking pure numbers. There are many more 5 lug wheels made than 6 lug. There are also a lot of wheels made in both 6 and 5, but I would say the vast majority of wheels are 5 lug.

If you're looking at "truck" style wheels, then you will find a lot of 6 lug wheels you might like.

[corn]

Ive got 6 bolt on mine but overall I think 5 lug is easier to live with, wheels, rotors, spindles...

[engrdean]

I appreciate all of the responses. Future conversion to disc brakes is what prompted the question as I have a '70 C10, so 4 wheel drum with 6 lug wheels. I take it from the response that there is no mechanical advantage to 6 lug wheels, at least not enough of one to be a concern? 5 lug does seem a little more common, but I am still not sure it is worth the cost of swapping rear ends or at least axles. Thanks again for the response.