Help. I have a lug problem

[americanmusc1e]

6 lugs in the rear and 5 lugs in the front


My 70 C10 was a 6-lug truck from the factory. I converted it to front disks several years ago when I wasn't aware that 6-lug disk brake kits existed. I drove for years with 6-lug wheels on the back and 5-lug wheels on the front and two spare tires in the bed. Now I would like to remedy that without spending a lot


The front of my truck has McGautys factory height conversion spindles. (they use the 67-70 ball joints and accept 71-72 rotors) and 72 crossdrilled rotors 5x5"


The rear is a '69 (manufactured in 10-68) 6-lug 12-bolt. that I salvaged from another truck. It didn't have any brake hardware on it so I grabbed a nice set of 11x2.75" drums off a scrap 4x4 squarebody 12-bolt axle.

AS I see it, I have three options.

1. replace the rear axles with aftermarket 5-lug because I'm pretty sure the pre-69 axles are a different length. I'd have to replace the drums as well, and I'm not sure they made the big drums in 5-lug.

2. convert the front back to 6-lug. I'm guessing I'd need a a set of factory 67-70 spindles which I don't think I have anymore. And then I'd need a 6-lug conversion kit.

3. Leave the different lugs front and back and hopefully find a dual-drilled spare. I haven't turned up any results for a wheel drilled 5x5 and 6x5.5.


Am I missing any ways to do this? I'm getting ready to buy new wheels

[ETsC10]

I bought 6-lug rotors for the '71 f.e. I put on my '68. I was running 6-lug original vintage centerlines plus I wanted to retain the stock appearance.

I'm going to move you to the suspension forum where they deal with this stuff a lot more.

[Renzo]

If you want to stay 6 lug all u would need is a set of 6 lug rotors for the front.
If you want to go 5 lug like a lot of people do you would need to change to 5 lug axles in rear and new drums.

[michael bustamante]

get the 6 lug rotors from mcgaughys, they fit that spindle no problem

[chevy_mike]

Cheapest/easiest is getting aftermarket 6 lug rotors, which would drop on your spindles and keeps all your brake stuff as you have it now.

[SCOTI]

Depends on your long-term plan.

Do you want the 6-lug pattern or are you possibly considering 5-lug wheels? Choose your path based on that decision. Aftermarket 6-lug rotors or aftermarket 5-lug axles & HD 5-lug drums (HD 5-lug drums were available for 73-87's).

[andrewmp6]

Depends how you want the truck in the long run,If your happy with stock rims change the front to 6 lug,If you want aftermarket rims i would change the back to 5 lug have more options on wheels.

[americanmusc1e]

Wow! you guys are awesome! It looks like I'll be swapping to 6-lug discs in the front.

I now have to decide the best wheel and tire combo for my fairly limited budget. I have an old set of 15x8 outlaw IIs that have been on the truck forever, but I really wanted to reduce the sidewall a bit to increase the performance.

What is considered the ideal wheel size for handling? I'm aware that reducing sidewall profile reduces sidewall flex and heavier wheel/tire combos increase unsprung and rotational weight. But what's the best balance for a street truck? I know that's a very open ended question, and I doubt the truck will ever see an autocross track with it's SM465 dump truck transmission. I just want something a little better than stock.

[BigMike]

Another thing to consider is wheel choices. The 5x5 wheel selection is far greater than the 6 lug choices. It's a contributing factor as to why so many people convert to the 5 lug to begin with. Just some food for thought.