8 lug to 5 lug conversion - what do do with the rear end - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

G-NUT · 05-28-2014, 12:31 PM

I'm considering changing from a 8-lug wheel pattern to a 5-lug wheel pattern. With the front I am thinking about going with EarlyClassic.com's C20 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton spindles and getting the 5-lug rotors.

My question is what do I do with the rear end. It is an 8-lug 14 bolt rear.

The truck is a 1985 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 3/4 ton crew cab LWB. The ultimate goal is to install a PorterBuilt DropMember front and rear.

chevy_mike · 05-28-2014, 03:31 PM

You will likely need to swap out the rear end for a 5 lug 1/2 ton version. Should be tons of them available in any junk yard. Find one with the right rear end ratio that you want. Should bolt right. You might need the 1/2 ton driveshaft as well, as I think the u-joints are different then 3/4 ton.

tinydb84 · 05-28-2014, 03:46 PM

They make conversion hubs but they are expensive. It would be cheaper to find a used 5 lug.

You can get conversion spacers (though there is a safety concern with that for some).

chevy_mike · 05-28-2014, 04:11 PM

Biggest issue is likely going to be the center hub size. 8 lug hub bore is huge compared to a 5 lug setup. I don't think you would find 5 lug wheels that would fit over the hub, unless you used an adapter that made it flush with the end of the hub.

my67c20 · 06-03-2014, 05:05 PM

The real question is why?

moregrip · 06-03-2014, 05:23 PM

http://offroad-review.com/new/index.php?page=360

chevy_mike · 06-03-2014, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moregrip

http://offroad-review.com/new/index.php?page=360

Cool find. Great idea but at $400 for the pair, likely finding another axle is way cheaper. Other issue is the 5 lug pattern is for a 5 on 5.5 or large Ford/Jeep. Chevy would be 5 on 5. 6 lug would be fine though.

G-NUT · 06-03-2014, 08:49 PM

I am going to install a full Porterbuilt air ride suspension on it; bought it with this sole intent. I thought keeping with the 8-lug setup would help make is standout a little from other dropped C10's but the wheel selection is severely limited with the 8-lug for the sizing and fitment I'm looking for versus the 5 lug patter.

my67c20 · 06-04-2014, 12:32 PM

Answers my question.

tinydb84 · 06-04-2014, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-NUT

I am going to install a full Porterbuilt air ride suspension on it; bought it with this sole intent. I thought keeping with the 8-lug setup would help make is standout a little from other dropped C10's but the wheel selection is severely limited with the 8-lug for the sizing and fitment I'm looking for versus the 5 lug patter.

There are tons of wheels for 8 lugs. Plus with a 14 bolt you can get cab and chassis hubs which narrow the rear end an extra 4 inches which allows you to run a bigger tire.

Check out these (you have to scroll down a bit to get past all the dually rims): http://4wheelonline.com/American_Force_Wheels.29008

05-28-2014, 12:31 PM	#1
G-NUT Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baldwin County, Alabama Posts: 163	8 lug to 5 lug conversion - what do do with the rear end I'm considering changing from a 8-lug wheel pattern to a 5-lug wheel pattern. With the front I am thinking about going with EarlyClassic.com's C20 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton spindles and getting the 5-lug rotors. My question is what do I do with the rear end. It is an 8-lug 14 bolt rear. The truck is a 1985 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 3/4 ton crew cab LWB. The ultimate goal is to install a PorterBuilt DropMember front and rear. __________________ '84 Suburban C10 Silverado - laying pinchweld to the ground on 22/24. /Porterbuilt / Accuair / Bonspeed / Landsail / Auburn Gear / Richmond Gear / Moser / Raybestos / ProMaxx / Edlebrock / Street Demon / Taylor Wire / K&N / MSD / KillMat / SOLD: 1985 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 3+3 Crew Cab Long Bed

05-28-2014, 03:31 PM	#2
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: 8 lug to 5 lug conversion - what do do with the rear end You will likely need to swap out the rear end for a 5 lug 1/2 ton version. Should be tons of them available in any junk yard. Find one with the right rear end ratio that you want. Should bolt right. You might need the 1/2 ton driveshaft as well, as I think the u-joints are different then 3/4 ton. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

05-28-2014, 03:46 PM	#3
tinydb84 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose Ca Posts: 2,871	Re: 8 lug to 5 lug conversion - what do do with the rear end They make conversion hubs but they are expensive. It would be cheaper to find a used 5 lug. You can get conversion spacers (though there is a safety concern with that for some). __________________ David Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991 My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985 Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557 Instagram: myfabguy

05-28-2014, 04:11 PM	#4
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: 8 lug to 5 lug conversion - what do do with the rear end Biggest issue is likely going to be the center hub size. 8 lug hub bore is huge compared to a 5 lug setup. I don't think you would find 5 lug wheels that would fit over the hub, unless you used an adapter that made it flush with the end of the hub. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

06-03-2014, 05:05 PM	#5
my67c20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tucson AZ by way of WI & CA Posts: 510	Re: 8 lug to 5 lug conversion - what do do with the rear end The real question is why?

06-03-2014, 05:23 PM	#6
moregrip Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 811	Re: 8 lug to 5 lug conversion - what do do with the rear end http://offroad-review.com/new/index.php?page=360 __________________ 1983 Chevy C10 250/3spd (current project truck) 1976 Chevy C10 350/350 Heavy Half (future project truck)

06-03-2014, 08:49 PM	#8
G-NUT Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baldwin County, Alabama Posts: 163	Re: 8 lug to 5 lug conversion - what do do with the rear end I am going to install a full Porterbuilt air ride suspension on it; bought it with this sole intent. I thought keeping with the 8-lug setup would help make is standout a little from other dropped C10's but the wheel selection is severely limited with the 8-lug for the sizing and fitment I'm looking for versus the 5 lug patter. __________________ '84 Suburban C10 Silverado - laying pinchweld to the ground on 22/24. /Porterbuilt / Accuair / Bonspeed / Landsail / Auburn Gear / Richmond Gear / Moser / Raybestos / ProMaxx / Edlebrock / Street Demon / Taylor Wire / K&N / MSD / KillMat / SOLD: 1985 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 3+3 Crew Cab Long Bed

06-04-2014, 12:32 PM	#9
my67c20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tucson AZ by way of WI & CA Posts: 510	Re: 8 lug to 5 lug conversion - what do do with the rear end Answers my question.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.