Corvette wheels on a 72 truck

[wtstephens]

I would like to put a set of 78-82 aluminum corvette wheels on my 72 truck, I know that the lug pattern is different, but things that I don't know are: will the depth/spacing of the corvette wheel fit and will the center hole fit over the grease cap in the front and over the hub in the rear. If anyone as any experience with this swap I sure could use your help!!!

Thanks,
Wayne

[GruntyPants]

Wayne,
If I recall those Corvette wheels are 15" x 8" with a 4" offset, so they should clear just fine. Is the 5 lug truck bolt pattern 5x5 or 5x4.5? The Corvette wheels should be the smaller 5x4.5. I can't be certain about the center holes of the wheels, but the cars used the same type of hub/bearing assembly, so you may be in luck.

[BarryB]

Yes, the truck lug pattern is 5 x 5 while the corvette is 5 x 4.5. There's alot of work involved in getting the lug pattern changed.
But another problem, is the truck hubs are bigger, than the ones on cars. I measured mine, it is 3" Diameter. Where a car wheel I have is 2.5 - 2.75. So the hub is to big for a car wheel.

[GruntyPants]

Ok, I thought the lug patterns were different, I just wasn't sure about the hub holes.

[wtstephens]

Guys,

Thanks for the information, I have adaptors for the lug pattern issue. Also, I can have a guy at work that can machine the center hole out, if that will work, but do you think once I get the wheel mounted on the truck that there would be enough clearance for the tire or wheel not to rub while turning?

Thanks again!
Wayne

[danman987123]

i have already done this on my 68......its actually 4.75 bolt pattern on the vette. Now this pattern is the same as camaro, so you buy camaro rotors, chevelle or camaro calipers with spindles, just put new bearings and its all good to go. or if you really going to do it all brand new.....nolimit.net they will sell you the complete kit....it works just as good if you dont though, i never bought the kit...

[BarryB]

Originally Posted by danman987123

i have already done this on my 68......its actually 4.75 bolt pattern on the vette. Now this pattern is the same as camaro, so you buy camaro rotors, chevelle or camaro calipers with spindles, just put new bearings and its all good to go. or if you really going to do it all brand new.....nolimit.net they will sell you the complete kit....it works just as good if you dont though, i never bought the kit...

That is very interesting I didn't know that would work. And I did mis print the lug pattern differnece. 4.5 is a ford or small Dodge pattern. Or typical utility trailer wheels.

Do you have a pictures of your swap??? I am interested in seeing these. How did the ball joints work. I thought the ball joint shafts? would be different size.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Is this what you are looking for? Sorry, I do not have any specifics on this truck though. WES

[wtstephens]

Wes,

Basically yes, but I want to use the 76-82 corvette wheels with the almost square slots. I don't know if the size of the wheels are the same.

Thanks,
Wayne

[LUV2XCLR8]

Interesting, Might ponder this idea a lil deeper

[LOW DOUGH]

neat

[danman987123]

i actually do not have pictures. sorry. http://nolimit.net/prodinfo.asp?number=ED%2D6370C now on that link......thats where i got my parts list......then off to the junk yard i went....i did have a little trouble getting right bearings to fit but it took a while of trial and error just get some try it on get some try it on till i got the right one...and on my back end i pulled a rear end of a 98 z28 camaro cut off all the brackets and dropped it n the rear http://www.ecklerstrucks.com/product...dept%5Fid=1861 that link is where i got the idea to hold my rear end down to my truck. instead of paying 160 for that kit i bought some steel and made the bracket myself....this is how it came out.....

[danman987123]

i am doing the entire conversion to 5 by 4.75....because everything is from corvette or camaro in my truck....engine and trans are from 91 vette....rearend 98 z28...and i will most likely be using c6 vette wheels.....only because i found them in 20''...

[Boog]

Or if a fella only wants 'vette wheels on his truck there is most likely some adapters available out there. I know of a 90's Chevy truck with this vette style wheel on it, no adapters needed. ( like on the red one above that Wes posted )

Not to discount your accomplishment Danman.

[byrd]

Originally Posted by wtstephens

I would like to put a set of 78-82 aluminum corvette wheels on my 72 truck, I know that the lug pattern is different, but things that I don't know are: will the depth/spacing of the corvette wheel fit and will the center hole fit over the grease cap in the front and over the hub in the rear. If anyone as any experience with this swap I sure could use your help!!!

Thanks,
Wayne

Wayne,
I have an easy solution to your troubles. I have the wheels pictured in my garage. They were on a parts truck I bought a few years ago and I kept the wheels. They are not exactly the corvette wheels you are wanting to use, but they are so close everybody thought they were corvette wheels. The best part is that they are 5 on 5 lug pattern and will bolt right up to your 72 without any mods at all, saving you quite a bit of time and $$$. The fronts are 15x8 and the rears are 15x10, they are in great shape and just need to be polished up and they would look like new again.Here is a couple of pics of the wheels and one of them on my old parts truck. I have cleaned up the fronts since the pics were taken and they will polish back out, just need to spend alittle time with them. If you are interested in the wheel just send me a PM and we can talk about them. If you click on my build thread in my sg andn on the first two pages is where we had discussed the wheels and what they are.

Randy