Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 08-14-2011, 12:37 PM

I think to much about my projects. My plan was to rebuild the front end of a '79 C-10 and install it under my '69 GMC. The advantages are: power steering, heavier a arms, better bushings, power brakes, anti-roll bar, and 5-bolt hubs. The install is actually pretty easy. I have a nice set of 70's rally wheels that will fill-in until I can afford Torque Thrust IIs.

The plan was to buy 5 bolt axles for the rear end and just swap them in.

Now I'm second-guessing - keep it original or not? Buy a disc-brake conversion kit and just go with that? I saw a picture of some 6 bolt torque thrusts in another post that looked pretty good.

Advice, counseling, and experience is welcome.

oldblue1968chevy · 08-14-2011, 01:21 PM

What're you wanting? Disc brakes or 5 lug for certain wheel or what?

You can get a aftermaerket 6 lug rotor from early classic enterprizes that'll fit a 71+ 1 1/4" rotor size spindle

msg lolife99 hes the guy to talk to im pretty sure im correct but ask him

bluec10 · 08-14-2011, 01:29 PM

Right now the truck has drum brakes up front and an L6 engine. I want to upgrade to a 350 so I'll need better brakes. The brakes are the big issue, the 5 bolts are secondary, but it is easier to find wheels for 5 bolt hubs.

oldblue1968chevy · 08-14-2011, 01:34 PM

How much do ya wanna spend?

Get a 73+ front crossmember clean it up rebuild it put a swaybar on if there is not one and I believe its pretty much bolt in with a few holes you gotta drill (leme find a faq)..

Do you wanna go lower? you can get drop spindles that fit your existing balljoints etc that'll accept a 71+ rotor or the aftermarket 6 lug rotor to match your rearend..

**oldgold70c10** · 08-14-2011, 01:49 PM

It seems I have read more than one thread here where it was stated that the 5 on 5 lug pattern was dead pattern because it is harder to find the variety of wheels for it. I hear there are kits that let you use the 5 on 4-3/4 pattern that has the most options It sems that 6 on 5-1/2 isn't too bad, since a lot of new full-sizr trucks went back to this.

bluec10 · 08-14-2011, 02:13 PM

The '79 crossmember will slip right under the '69 frame without an issue. I'll need to drill 2 holes to bolt the new crossmember to the '69 frame. I'll also have to do a bit of drilling for the swaybar, but that's no big deal. That's it.

Others may know more than I do about wheel availability. GM used the same 5-bolt pattern all the way from '71 to '87, and maybe beyond that. I'd be interested in hearing any advice on this matter.

I've been tripping over the transplant crossmember in my garage for months.
My father-in-law was helping me with another project in the garage and he "ordered" me to do something with the crossmember before the next time he comes to visit. He lives on the east coast, so he doesn't come down all that often, but as a matter of pride I'd like to make a decision about it.

hdzammo · 08-14-2011, 02:47 PM

I stayed with 6 lugs thinking that with the new vehicles going back to that bolt pattern ther would be a better selection of wheels, not so, backspacing is not close, hubs on wheels are too small. I think as far as wheel selections there is more for the 5 luggers. My advice would be to go to summit website do a search for both bolt patterns with the correct backspacing and let that help you decide.
Posted via Mobile Device

oldblue1968chevy · 08-14-2011, 05:15 PM

install the front member get your disc brakes and get it off the shop floor so pop wont complain,in the spare time hunt a 5 lug rearend or convert your axles over.

Shyguy · 08-14-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluec10

I think to much about my projects. My plan was to rebuild the front end of a '79 C-10 and install it under my '69 GMC. The advantages are: power steering, heavier a arms, better bushings, power brakes, anti-roll bar, and 5-bolt hubs. The install is actually pretty easy. I have a nice set of 70's rally wheels that will fill-in until I can afford Torque Thrust IIs.

The plan was to buy 5 bolt axles for the rear end and just swap them in.

Now I'm second-guessing - keep it original or not? Buy a disc-brake conversion kit and just go with that? I saw a picture of some 6 bolt torque thrusts in another post that looked pretty good.

Advice, counseling, and experience is welcome.

Since my swb stepper is not going to be any specific year I am taking all the 68-6 lug drum brake stuff off and replacing all the suspension and drive train with the 5 lug stuff off a '71 lwb truck.

My swb stepper will be licensed as a '67 but will be made up of at least 5 different year trucks. Heck the tail gate is off an early 60's GMC with the kind of fancy style letters.

Like others said there are a good selection of 6 lug rims now days so it just depends on which way you want to go.

**N2TRUX** · 08-14-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldgold70c10

It seems I have read more than one thread here where it was stated that the 5 on 5 lug pattern was dead pattern because it is harder to find the variety of wheels for it......

I'm not sure what you have read, but thats far from correct. There a gazillion wheels available for the 5x5 pattern. Yes they do make lots of wheels for the others you mentioned, but most of them will give you back space concerns.

Go with the 73+ parts and a fresh new axles. You will be miles ahead when your done.

brad_man_72 · 08-14-2011, 10:21 PM

79 crossmember and rear end in my 67. I haven't gotten new wheels yet but the swaybar and brakes are worth the swap. Tons of good hotrod and custom wheels for the 5 on 5. All of the 6 lug stuff looks like truck wheels....

don't forget when going from drum to disc you need a diff master cylinder and porportioning valve.

you can go ahead and put the sway bar on your truck. Easy and one of the best mods.

oldblue1968chevy · 08-14-2011, 11:13 PM

sway bar probably best bang for buck upgrade for these trucks

and headlight relays

and disc brakes

go for it

mcampbell · 08-14-2011, 11:46 PM

Have my 70 pickup on blocks now doing the same upgrade. I found a 71 disc suspension that is going under it. Such a difference between dics brakes on the 72 2wd blazer and drum brakes on the 70 pickup. I kind of justify the cost by saying it is a safety issue to upgrade.
Last year a local car lot had 3 pre 71 trucks and all were 6 lug. They looked good from a distance with 20" rims but all 3 had drum brakes. I'm not an expert but it seems I read the bigger the rim the more braking power is needed.
I can't advise you on the 6 lug but trucks I see with newer factory rims need spacers or the offset looks funny.

08-14-2011, 12:37 PM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? I think to much about my projects. My plan was to rebuild the front end of a '79 C-10 and install it under my '69 GMC. The advantages are: power steering, heavier a arms, better bushings, power brakes, anti-roll bar, and 5-bolt hubs. The install is actually pretty easy. I have a nice set of 70's rally wheels that will fill-in until I can afford Torque Thrust IIs. The plan was to buy 5 bolt axles for the rear end and just swap them in. Now I'm second-guessing - keep it original or not? Buy a disc-brake conversion kit and just go with that? I saw a picture of some 6 bolt torque thrusts in another post that looked pretty good. Advice, counseling, and experience is welcome. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

08-14-2011, 01:21 PM	#2
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? What're you wanting? Disc brakes or 5 lug for certain wheel or what? You can get a aftermaerket 6 lug rotor from early classic enterprizes that'll fit a 71+ 1 1/4" rotor size spindle msg lolife99 hes the guy to talk to im pretty sure im correct but ask him __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

08-14-2011, 01:29 PM	#3
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? Right now the truck has drum brakes up front and an L6 engine. I want to upgrade to a 350 so I'll need better brakes. The brakes are the big issue, the 5 bolts are secondary, but it is easier to find wheels for 5 bolt hubs. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

08-14-2011, 01:34 PM	#4
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? How much do ya wanna spend? Get a 73+ front crossmember clean it up rebuild it put a swaybar on if there is not one and I believe its pretty much bolt in with a few holes you gotta drill (leme find a faq).. Do you wanna go lower? you can get drop spindles that fit your existing balljoints etc that'll accept a 71+ rotor or the aftermarket 6 lug rotor to match your rearend.. __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

08-14-2011, 01:49 PM	#5
oldgold70c10 Who's got steelies? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Morrison, Oklahoma Posts: 1,026	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? It seems I have read more than one thread here where it was stated that the 5 on 5 lug pattern was dead pattern because it is harder to find the variety of wheels for it. I hear there are kits that let you use the 5 on 4-3/4 pattern that has the most options It sems that 6 on 5-1/2 isn't too bad, since a lot of new full-sizr trucks went back to this. __________________ 1969 C10 LWB W/ 250 I6 & 3spd 1970 C10 with '67 small window cab, 68 front end, blue; 305/TH350, 3.08 limited slip rear end, manual brakes, power steering; & 4-wheel drums-My daily driver. 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe 350/th350 mint green 1970 C20 Suburban 350/700R4 4.10 gearing green & white 1978 Big 10 Silverado 350/th350, working ac, 2 tone blue-My summer daily driver 1983 GMC 1500 Sierra 305/SM465 2.73 rear end How to add a trip odometer to your 67-72 stock speedometer How to rebuild your Q-Jet My Truck Page My Youtube Channel

08-14-2011, 02:13 PM	#6
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? The '79 crossmember will slip right under the '69 frame without an issue. I'll need to drill 2 holes to bolt the new crossmember to the '69 frame. I'll also have to do a bit of drilling for the swaybar, but that's no big deal. That's it. Others may know more than I do about wheel availability. GM used the same 5-bolt pattern all the way from '71 to '87, and maybe beyond that. I'd be interested in hearing any advice on this matter. I've been tripping over the transplant crossmember in my garage for months. My father-in-law was helping me with another project in the garage and he "ordered" me to do something with the crossmember before the next time he comes to visit. He lives on the east coast, so he doesn't come down all that often, but as a matter of pride I'd like to make a decision about it. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

08-14-2011, 02:47 PM	#7
hdzammo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: san antonio, texas Posts: 95	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? I stayed with 6 lugs thinking that with the new vehicles going back to that bolt pattern ther would be a better selection of wheels, not so, backspacing is not close, hubs on wheels are too small. I think as far as wheel selections there is more for the 5 luggers. My advice would be to go to summit website do a search for both bolt patterns with the correct backspacing and let that help you decide. Posted via Mobile Device

08-14-2011, 05:15 PM	#8
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? install the front member get your disc brakes and get it off the shop floor so pop wont complain,in the spare time hunt a 5 lug rearend or convert your axles over. __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

08-14-2011, 10:21 PM	#11
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? 79 crossmember and rear end in my 67. I haven't gotten new wheels yet but the swaybar and brakes are worth the swap. Tons of good hotrod and custom wheels for the 5 on 5. All of the 6 lug stuff looks like truck wheels.... don't forget when going from drum to disc you need a diff master cylinder and porportioning valve. you can go ahead and put the sway bar on your truck. Easy and one of the best mods. __________________ 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,

08-14-2011, 11:13 PM	#12
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? sway bar probably best bang for buck upgrade for these trucks and headlight relays and disc brakes go for it __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

08-14-2011, 11:46 PM	#13
mcampbell Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Clara, Utah Posts: 48	Re: Thinking Too Much - Should I Convert to 5 Bolt? Have my 70 pickup on blocks now doing the same upgrade. I found a 71 disc suspension that is going under it. Such a difference between dics brakes on the 72 2wd blazer and drum brakes on the 70 pickup. I kind of justify the cost by saying it is a safety issue to upgrade. Last year a local car lot had 3 pre 71 trucks and all were 6 lug. They looked good from a distance with 20" rims but all 3 had drum brakes. I'm not an expert but it seems I read the bigger the rim the more braking power is needed. I can't advise you on the 6 lug but trucks I see with newer factory rims need spacers or the offset looks funny.



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