whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70clone · 01-10-2009, 01:20 AM

just curious thought i would throw the question outhtere maybe there is something i dont know

lowriden58 · 01-10-2009, 01:24 AM

better wheel selection and disk brakes.

DoobieBrother · 01-10-2009, 01:42 AM

Some argue better wheel selection. guess that depends on what kind of wheels you want. But disc can be had in 6 lug too. So I don't think that's really a reason.

lowriden58 · 01-10-2009, 01:58 AM

i think that most choose the 5lug setup since you can find replacement parts more easily and cheaper vs the 6lug disk parts. not 100% on that tho

thirdstreettito · 01-10-2009, 02:17 AM

I was going to convert my 68 to 5 lug. But then I said, "Nope, that for the price of converting it over..."

ERASER5 · 01-10-2009, 06:42 AM

Not knowing that 6 lug rotors are readily available. Yea, they cost a bit more, but WAY less than replacing the rear axles. A whole lot less work too.

Andy4639 · 01-10-2009, 07:03 AM

Wheels, brakes, that's about it. The cost for swaping it over really depends on how you do it.
Complete axle swap or just redrill, just depends.
Back in the old days I would have said to change it but now with the parts available for these trucks it's just a matter of what you want for the truck.
Cost, availablity of parts isn't that big of a factor anymore.

brad_man_72 · 01-10-2009, 01:09 PM

PRICE i have about $200 in my disc brake 5 lug conversion including 12 bolt373 posi rearend and conversion kit. got 4 15x7 ralleys to go with it. swaybar. (runing driving 1976 parts truck $600, scrap -$300, engine -$100, trans -$100)

that and i hate the selection of aftermarket wheels offered for 6lug, this is where i sound stupid, they all look like truck wheels.

stock or 4x4 i would consider keeping 6 lug, hot rod, custom, or lowered 5 lug.

Mayo · 01-10-2009, 01:34 PM

The reason why I would conver to 5 lug is because I love the 5 lug truck rallys and have never been big on the 6 lug versions.

68gmsee · 01-10-2009, 04:01 PM

Lots of axles and wheels available is one reason. Remember that the 5 lugs in our trucks came out in 71 and up and stayed 5 lugs for about 20+ years. GM made millions of 5 lug axles and wheels. The selection is endless for the different combinations.

That being said, I don't see any other reason other than if you already have either an axle or front disks and wanted to make them the same. A lot of newer trucks and suv's have 6 lugs now.

tinlid · 01-10-2009, 05:58 PM

I'm fairly old and grew up around, and just plain love, American 5 spokes. That's enough reason for me.

*mrhino* · 01-10-2009, 06:42 PM

I wanted out of my 6 lug shoes and thought since i was changing over to disc brakes I would convert it to 5x4 3/4 you know camaro bolt pattern. I thought the wheel choice would be endless. well I was wrong very tough to find 20's that looked cool with the right backspacing. the next one will be 5 on 5 . for sure

1LoC10 · 01-10-2009, 06:50 PM

5 lug 5 spoke wheels, are classic, and look perfect on anything...period...lol

**CMACDONALD1** · 01-10-2009, 08:02 PM

Better wheel selection and nicer wheel selection.I canot think of any 5 spoke wheel that looks nice in a 6 bolt pattern.My opinoin.

Pillow · 01-10-2009, 09:43 PM

FWIW Wheel Vintiques makes 6 lug Rallye wheels. Also in 16 and 17" sizes

Granted if you want the Torq Thrust look you need 5 lug.

Out of pure ignorance is the old 6 lug and new 6 lug the same spacing?

70clone · 01-16-2009, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillow

FWIW Wheel Vintiques makes 6 lug Rallye wheels. Also in 16 and 17" sizes

Granted if you want the Torq Thrust look you need 5 lug.

Out of pure ignorance is the old 6 lug and new 6 lug the same spacing?

the same bolt patter but not backspacing 6 lug is mainly for 4x4 and has offset like front wheel drive.

70clone · 01-16-2009, 05:02 AM

to me just seems like alot of trouble to do the swap from what i understand u have to have the lca uca front crossmember prop valve master cylinder.ill just keep my 6lug setup switch to disc and call it a day.i like to drive my truck and really hate for it to be down for more than a day

**nightmare** · 01-16-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70clone

to me just seems like alot of trouble to do the swap from what i understand u have to have the lca uca front crossmember prop valve master cylinder.ill just keep my 6lug setup switch to disc and call it a day.i like to drive my truck and really hate for it to be down for more than a day

you don't need to swap the front crossmember, or the lca's and uca's for that matter. all you really need is the ball joints for a '71-'72, then the spindles.

*Shane* · 01-16-2009, 11:01 AM

years ago it was an advantage, now days not so much with as many wheel and brake upgrades available for these trucks.

lts70 · 01-16-2009, 12:07 PM

When I did my disc brake conversion and drop I stayed with the 6 lug because I had no money after doing so to buy any thing more. The cost of new rims and rear axles was not in the budget at the time.

Then after running that set up for awhile and saving some money up for rims I could not find any 6 lug that I liked. I then went ahead and bought my 5 lug axles and the 5 lug rims I wanted.

So to me it all depends on your circumstances. If you have to buy new wheels anyway thats one equalizer. If you go through rotors alot the 5 lug are less expensive to replace and for sure will never go out of production. If you plan on adding rear disc brakes down the road 5 lug makes it more affordable and you have more kit choises and opertunity to build your own kit.

70clone · 01-16-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lts70

When I did my disc brake conversion and drop I stayed with the 6 lug because I had no money after doing so to buy any thing more. The cost of new rims and rear axles was not in the budget at the time.

Then after running that set up for awhile and saving some money up for rims I could not find any 6 lug that I liked. I then went ahead and bought my 5 lug axles and the 5 lug rims I wanted.

So to me it all depends on your circumstances. If you have to buy new wheels anyway thats one equalizer. If you go through rotors alot the 5 lug are less expensive to replace and for sure will never go out of production. If you plan on adding rear disc brakes down the road 5 lug makes it more affordable and you have more kit choises and opertunity to build your own kit.

now that makes alot more since is everyone switching uca and lca just because of balljoint

Texasbigblock · 01-16-2009, 01:35 PM

One word.....CRAGARS

thirdstreettito · 01-16-2009, 01:41 PM

Wheels. Much more hot wheels in 5L than in 6L. Even though all the new truck are 6, have you looked at the new wheels? EW!

01-10-2009, 01:20 AM	#1
70clone Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: JACKSONVILLE FL Posts: 200	whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes just curious thought i would throw the question outhtere maybe there is something i dont know

01-10-2009, 01:24 AM	#2
lowriden58 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chesapeake Beach, MD Posts: 812	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes better wheel selection and disk brakes. __________________ 71 cheyenne lwb 300rwhp best 1/4 time so far 12.8 @103 http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...en58/001-2.jpg

01-10-2009, 01:42 AM	#3
DoobieBrother Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US Posts: 184	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes Some argue better wheel selection. guess that depends on what kind of wheels you want. But disc can be had in 6 lug too. So I don't think that's really a reason.

01-10-2009, 01:58 AM	#4
lowriden58 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chesapeake Beach, MD Posts: 812	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes i think that most choose the 5lug setup since you can find replacement parts more easily and cheaper vs the 6lug disk parts. not 100% on that tho __________________ 71 cheyenne lwb 300rwhp best 1/4 time so far 12.8 @103 http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...en58/001-2.jpg

01-10-2009, 02:17 AM	#5
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes I was going to convert my 68 to 5 lug. But then I said, "Nope, that for the price of converting it over..." __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

01-10-2009, 06:42 AM	#6
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes Not knowing that 6 lug rotors are readily available. Yea, they cost a bit more, but WAY less than replacing the rear axles. A whole lot less work too. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

01-10-2009, 07:03 AM	#7
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes Wheels, brakes, that's about it. The cost for swaping it over really depends on how you do it. Complete axle swap or just redrill, just depends. Back in the old days I would have said to change it but now with the parts available for these trucks it's just a matter of what you want for the truck. Cost, availablity of parts isn't that big of a factor anymore. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

01-10-2009, 01:09 PM	#8
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes PRICE i have about $200 in my disc brake 5 lug conversion including 12 bolt373 posi rearend and conversion kit. got 4 15x7 ralleys to go with it. swaybar. (runing driving 1976 parts truck $600, scrap -$300, engine -$100, trans -$100) that and i hate the selection of aftermarket wheels offered for 6lug, this is where i sound stupid, they all look like truck wheels. stock or 4x4 i would consider keeping 6 lug, hot rod, custom, or lowered 5 lug. __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

01-10-2009, 01:34 PM	#9
Mayo Cool Truck Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bowie,MD Posts: 1,869	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes The reason why I would conver to 5 lug is because I love the 5 lug truck rallys and have never been big on the 6 lug versions. __________________ 1968 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn "Cool Truck" 1937 Chevrolet Pickup - Project Looking for a patina'd 68 50th Anniversary longbed

01-10-2009, 04:01 PM	#10
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes Lots of axles and wheels available is one reason. Remember that the 5 lugs in our trucks came out in 71 and up and stayed 5 lugs for about 20+ years. GM made millions of 5 lug axles and wheels. The selection is endless for the different combinations. That being said, I don't see any other reason other than if you already have either an axle or front disks and wanted to make them the same. A lot of newer trucks and suv's have 6 lugs now.

01-10-2009, 05:58 PM	#11
tinlid Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 95	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes I'm fairly old and grew up around, and just plain love, American 5 spokes. That's enough reason for me.

01-10-2009, 06:42 PM	#12
mrhino Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,223	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes I wanted out of my 6 lug shoes and thought since i was changing over to disc brakes I would convert it to 5x4 3/4 you know camaro bolt pattern. I thought the wheel choice would be endless. well I was wrong very tough to find 20's that looked cool with the right backspacing. the next one will be 5 on 5 . for sure Attached Images Last edited by mrhino; 01-10-2009 at 06:46 PM.

01-10-2009, 06:50 PM	#13
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes 5 lug 5 spoke wheels, are classic, and look perfect on anything...period...lol __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

01-10-2009, 08:02 PM	#14
CMACDONALD1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Red Deer Ab Canada Posts: 756	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes Better wheel selection and nicer wheel selection.I canot think of any 5 spoke wheel that looks nice in a 6 bolt pattern.My opinoin. __________________ 1966 427 biscayne with a 5 spd tremec on old school torque thrusts. 1972 Cheyenne Short Bed 1958 Apache short fleet 1980 Chevy short bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761005 1959 "Henry" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=670461 1966 Biscayne http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444419 1972 Suburban http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478828

01-10-2009, 09:43 PM	#15
Pillow Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Warrenton VA Posts: 144	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes FWIW Wheel Vintiques makes 6 lug Rallye wheels. Also in 16 and 17" sizes Granted if you want the Torq Thrust look you need 5 lug. Out of pure ignorance is the old 6 lug and new 6 lug the same spacing? __________________ '71 C-10 with 5.3 LS2 cam & NWC T5 - Patina King! '83 Jeep Cherokee w 5.3 LS9 cam & SM465 NP208 swap in progress '92 Volvo 960 wagon w 5.3 LS7 cam & WC T5 swap in progress '79 Porsche 911 SC '48 Spartan Mansion 30' travel trailer '10 Porsche Cayenne S - Daily Last edited by Pillow; 01-10-2009 at 09:45 PM.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

01-16-2009, 05:02 AM	#17
70clone Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: JACKSONVILLE FL Posts: 200	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes to me just seems like alot of trouble to do the swap from what i understand u have to have the lca uca front crossmember prop valve master cylinder.ill just keep my 6lug setup switch to disc and call it a day.i like to drive my truck and really hate for it to be down for more than a day

01-16-2009, 11:01 AM	#19
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes years ago it was an advantage, now days not so much with as many wheel and brake upgrades available for these trucks.

01-16-2009, 12:07 PM	#20
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes When I did my disc brake conversion and drop I stayed with the 6 lug because I had no money after doing so to buy any thing more. The cost of new rims and rear axles was not in the budget at the time. Then after running that set up for awhile and saving some money up for rims I could not find any 6 lug that I liked. I then went ahead and bought my 5 lug axles and the 5 lug rims I wanted. So to me it all depends on your circumstances. If you have to buy new wheels anyway thats one equalizer. If you go through rotors alot the 5 lug are less expensive to replace and for sure will never go out of production. If you plan on adding rear disc brakes down the road 5 lug makes it more affordable and you have more kit choises and opertunity to build your own kit. __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

01-16-2009, 01:35 PM	#22
Texasbigblock Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 252	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes One word.....CRAGARS __________________ -Scott- 1970 C10 shortbed 396 1969 C30 dually flatbed "Vidalia"

01-16-2009, 01:41 PM	#23
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: whats the biggest reasoning for switching to 5 lug other than disc brakes Wheels. Much more hot wheels in 5L than in 6L. Even though all the new truck are 6, have you looked at the new wheels? EW! __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.