converting a 85 c-10 to 6 lug

[lowhoe]

Im about to start a 85 c-10 project and i would like to convert it to a 6 lug pattern. I know a 90's model spindal bolts up, and could then run a 90's model lite duty 3/4 ton rotor which is a six lug. Just not sure if i would run into any other issues. Has anyone done this,,,or can provide any info? Ive searched and read a few simular threads but have found no clear answer. Big thanks.

[lolife99]

No need to change anything up front,... except the rotor. There are several companies that make them. Look at ECE. (Early Classic Enterprises) They use these all the time to put disc brakes on the front of the 63-70 pickups and keep them 6-lug. They take the same bearings as your five lug rotors. I think they are about $85 each.
For the rear,... I'd just swap in a 4x4 rearend, to get the 6-lug pattern.

[lolife99]

Here's my ECE rotors I just put on my '69.

[jdurant]

Could you just change axels in the rear?

[jdurant]

anybody?

[heavychevy79]

Originally Posted by jdurant

Could you just change axels in the rear?

No, I'm pretty sure a different mfg. made the 6 lug axles so the parts won't interchange.

[lowhoe]

Originally Posted by lolife99

No need to change anything up front,... except the rotor. There are several companies that make them. Look at ECE. (Early Classic Enterprises) They use these all the time to put disc brakes on the front of the 63-70 pickups and keep them 6-lug. They take the same bearings as your five lug rotors. I think they are about $85 each.
For the rear,... I'd just swap in a 4x4 rearend, to get the 6-lug pattern.

looks like their 6 lug rotors only go up to 1970, and im building a 85

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lowhoe

looks like their 6 lug rotors only go up to 1970, and im building a 85

That would be because 6-lug trucks stopped in 70; 71 & later were 5-lug. Not many guys want 6-lug discs on their post 70 trucks (but the rotors still swap over). The suspension & brakes don't know what year they are.

[lowhoe]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

That would be because 6-lug trucks stopped in 70; 71 & later were 5-lug. Not many guys want 6-lug discs on their post 70 trucks (but the rotors still swap over). The suspension & brakes don't know what year they are.

Yes thank you i am aware of when 6lugs stopped and 5 lugs started. I just wasnt sure if i could just swap rotors with 6 lug rotors made for a 70 or prior, or if maybe a company made a 6 lug rotor specifically for my 85. And my reason for wanting 6 lug is because there are 100x more wheel choices for the 6 lug pattern.

[lolife99]

These rotors are a direct bolt on to your '85 spindles as long as your rotors are 1-1/4" thick.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by lowhoe

....And my reason for wanting 6 lug is because there are 100x more wheel choices for the 6 lug pattern.

I don't agree with this, but won't argue your point. I will say you should take a close look at the back space offered on the wheels you are considering. You might have to rethink your plan.

[lowhoe]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I don't agree with this, but won't argue your point. I will say you should take a close look at the back space offered on the wheels you are considering. You might have to rethink your plan.

its just a fact bro. i have wholesale accts with atleast 20 different wheel distributors, each carrying many different brands. i hookup friends and many guys in the truck scene at cost. And its just a fact that most of the new wheel designs that come out are made to fit 6 lug or other 5 lug patterns but not many will fit a 5x5 pattern. Yes, there are still many wheels out there for the 5x5 pattern but not near as many as for the 6 lug. And with those limited wheels to choose from, its not always easy to be different and still find a design you like. This is the same reason i converted my 99 2dr tahoe to 6lug. How many other obs trucks have you seen with this wheel? None that i know of
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[sdavid]

Originally Posted by jdurant

Could you just change axels in the rear?

Yes. As long as it is the same axle. As in a 10bolt or 12bolt. Spline counts are different on axle shafts in 10bolt axles though. 6 lug 10bolts are 28 until you get to '88, then they switch to 30 splines. Or atleast that is how K5s are.

[N2TRUX]

Ok, valid point about the 6 lug wheels to fit late models. Usually you don't find a backspace that will fit our year trucks.

Regarding the wheel you posted, I like it but it looks similiar to a black Rhino wheel that I "think" will fit our truck.

So you can get killer deals on wheels..hmmm...

[bagged74]

yeah man there is like a thousand more 6 lug wheels available..i mean who cares if they fit worth a $hit? right? i mean as long as they are cheap.

[N2TRUX]

My bad, it's not a Black Rhino I was thinking of, it's a Boss 335. It looks very similiar to the wheel you posted.

[Rollinsqrbdy]

I also agree with lohoe, Ive also been considering to go to 6 lug. Around here alot of the places dont even want to deal with 5 lug wheels. The only thing that holds me back is I love the 5 spoke wheels like coys, tt2's, kmc novas and many others. ahhhhh crap I think i just changed my mind and want to stick with the 5 lugs. lol

[Rollinsqrbdy]

yuuuuuuup uhuhhhhhh Im sticking with the 5 hole. yuuuppppp

[lowhoe]

the wheel i posted up is the boss 330. Its the same design as the boss 335 except the 330 have 6 bars and the 335 has 5

[N2TRUX]

Yeah after looking closer at it I see they are the same wheel.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lowhoe

..... Yes, there are still many wheels out there for the 5x5 pattern but not near as many as for the 6 lug. And with those limited wheels to choose from, its not always easy to be different and still find a design you like. This is the same reason i converted my 99 2dr tahoe to 6lug. How many other obs trucks have you seen with this wheel? None that i know of . . . . . ..... the wheel i posted up is the boss 330. Its the same design as the boss 335 except the 330 have 6 bars and the 335 has 5

So, w/so many more designs available in 6-lug, you went through the trouble of the 6-lug conversion only to install wheels that are offered by the same company, in the same style, in a 5-lug. The big difference in your 'example' of wheels that have "100x more choices" is one more lugnut & one more spoke.

The wheel choice isn't what sets your OBS Blazer apart. The overall look & the 6-lug conversion is.

[lowhoe]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

So, w/so many more designs available in 6-lug, you went through the trouble of the 6-lug conversion only to install wheels that are offered by the same company, in the same style, in a 5-lug. The big difference in your 'example' of wheels that have "100x more choices" is one more lugnut & one more spoke.

The wheel choice isn't what sets your OBS Blazer apart. The overall look & the 6-lug conversion is.

well im going to have to disagree with the point you attempted to make. First of all the 335 isnt offered in a 24" wheel which is the size i ran with the boss 330. And that is the first set of 3 different 6 lugs wheels that i had on the tahoe. And in my opinion the wheel choice on any ride can make or break the overall look. The fact that the majority of new wheels released are 6 lugs patterns or others besides 5x5 is just pure fact. The rest of all this is just individual opinion, and its also way off the subject of the thread.

[jdurant]

I don't know if you have followed my "wheel opinions" thread. But Pyrothechnic posted this link-http://www.skulte.com/product_info.p...products_id/77

They enable you to convert from 5 lug to 6 lug. I think that is the way that I am going to convert. That way if you ever wanna go back, you can. But, of course you would loose backspacing this way. They have to be atleast 1.9" wide.

One thing that some people aren't understanding is that not all 6 lug wheels are built positively offset. Besides, you can get a 6 lug wheel custom made for the offset that you desire. Just like a 5 lug.

I feel you.

Besides, isn't doing something different what hotrodding/custom car building is all about?

[SCOTI]

Wheel adapters can range from 1~4". Skulte @ one point in time even made them in 7/8" (I have a set). Since it was felt the thread was getting "off subject", for an 'easy' swap to 6-lug pattern on a 73-87 you can.....

• Use wheel adapters F/R

• Use aftermarket 6-lug rotors on 71-87 spindles & swap in a 73-87 4x4 rear axle housing

• Purchase custom aftermarket axles in a 6-lug pattern

• Use 88-98 6-lug Lt.Duty 3/4 ton front brakes

[jdurant]

Moser quoted me $320 with studs.