Would a '72 SWB 1/2 ton have 6 lug wheels from the factory?

[Ad Cam]

Newbie here. I'm looking at an ad for a '72 SWB half ton C10. The pictures show 6 lug wheels. I thought GM had them converted to 5 lug for 1972? The SPID shows it as a '72. Is it possible this is how it was built? I appreciate any info (my forum search didn't turn up much.)

[68Gold/white]

Would ONLY be 6 lug in 72 if it was 4 wheel drive.

[Ad Cam]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Would ONLY be 6 lug in 72 if it was 4 wheel drive.

I forgot to mention that it's a 2WD.

[72 tigger]

Probably a 70 or earlier chassis. In 71 GM went with disc brakes and 5 lug. Does the SPID show the wheelbase?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Ad Cam

I forgot to mention that it's a 2WD.

Some people swap to 6-lug to run aftermarket wheels.
Any pics of the truck you are looking at?
A lot of stuff has been done to these trucks in the last 40 years,...

[Ad Cam]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Probably a 70 or earlier chassis. In 71 GM went with disc brakes and 5 lug. Does the SPID show the wheelbase?

SPID shows it as a 115".

[Ad Cam]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Some people swap to 6-lug to run aftermarket wheels.
Any pics of the truck you are looking at?
A lot of stuff has been done to these trucks in the last 40 years,...

Here it is

[lolife99]

If the front steel brake line connects to the rubber brake hose on the front side of the crossmember it’s a 71-72 crossmember in the truck.
If it connects on the back side it’s a 67-70 crossmember.
Someone probably body swapped your cab onto a short bed frame.
While you’re looking, check to see if it was once a long bed truck.
Lots of people cutting up long beds since real shortbrd prices are through the roof. $$$

[68Gold/white]

Man, I don't know your skills, and I'm not trying to come off as a Beavis...

I'd be very wary of this pickup, A LOT has obviously been done to it!!! Who knows if all or any of the modifications have been done properly??? If it's got front drum brakes, that's definitely not a plus..........

Even though it's 6 lug, which would indicate it's got an older frame,

I wonder if it has front disc brakes???????????? You need to find out!!!

Several companies make 6 lug conversion disc brake setups, to avoid having to convert front to 5 lug disc AND then having to convert rear also...

[raggedjim]

It looks solid, if it you like it buy it. But it has obviously been converted to six lug in one way or another. As mentioned, I'd check for disc brakes in front and go from there.

Good luck, Rg

[jocko]

People don’t normally go out of their way to convert TO 6 lug, so my guess is a pre-71 frame swap - and it is either still drum brake or has been converted to aftermarket 6 lug disks. It could also actually be a pre-71 truck just dressed up as and advertised as a 72 - but I kinda doubt that because when folks play dress up, they normally become Cheyenne Supers. The emblems in the pic are 71-72 only Custom Deluxe.

I’d ask the following questions:
Why does it have 6 lug if it’s advertised as a 72?
Drum or disk front brakes?
What’s the VIN on the metal tag, frame, and SPID?
What’s the wheelbase on the SPID?

With that info, the rest can be ferreted out.

[cypressbog]

Sounds like a Franken-truck to me.

[72 tigger]

The SPID shows 115" WB & the VIN is a 72

[jocko]

SPID VIN or metal tag cab VIN? Either way, I'd also be leaning toward assuming it's a pre-71 chassis being underneath it like you mentioned Tigger.
If it has 6 lug drums, then I'm not sure what else could be the case (it's just too much trouble to swap a pre-71 front suspension under a 72 and lose disk brakes in the process, why do it?)
If it has 6 lug disks, then it's either still a frame swap that had a disk brake mod done, or it's a 72 that someone swapped 5 lug disks out for 6 lug disks and 6 lug rear axles.
Who knows, ha. Could be a lotta different routes to its present state, but the most likely seems to be a pre-71 frame and susp was swapped in place of the 72.

Quickest route to the answer is to check the frame VIN and see if the serial matches the truck VIN.

It just has steelies (which I like), so it's not like they needed to go 6 lug JUST to support wheel choice - that's usually the reason people do the opposite - that and to gain disk brakes.

It's a nice looking truck. Clearly a little modified, if not a LOT modified.
Nothing wrong with a frankentruck, if it's a well done hot rod, and this could be.

If op is asking because of a concern over originality (and I don' think he necessarily is, just seeking some explanation for the lugs), I'd skull away from this one, it's not original no matter how you slice it. But if it's what the op is looking for, and clearly it's grabbed his interest, then it might be a great truck to buy. It's a good catch by the OP and, I will admit, it's a bit of an odd scenario for a 72, ha.

[OARNGESI]

No 72c10 had disks from the factory period and no one without personal knowledge of this truck can tell you anything further without more detail. Does the seller claim them as factory?

[Boog]

3/4 ton suspension maybe?

[Andy4639]

To begin with, 72 had 5 lugs all around.

The only question you need to know is why it has 6 lugs on a 2 wheel drive 72 model they came with 5? If he can't answer that then walk away.

Look under the truck right behind the rear cab mounts, look for the frame to be welded up form being cut down.

[Ad Cam]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Man, I don't know your skills, and I'm not trying to come off as a Beavis...

I'd be very wary of this pickup, A LOT has obviously been done to it!!! Who knows if all or any of the modifications have been done properly??? If it's got front drum brakes, that's definitely not a plus..........

Even though it's 6 lug, which would indicate it's got an older frame,

I wonder if it has front disc brakes???????????? You need to find out!!!

Several companies make 6 lug conversion disc brake setups, to avoid having to convert front to 5 lug disc AND then having to convert rear also...

I will definitely pass on this truck. It caught my eye while surfing craigslist. Seller sent me a pic saying the truck was factory radio delete, but the SPID lists it having an AM radio. Too many red flags for me on this one. I have my eye on one farther away that I may check out this weekend. Thanks for the info everyone!

[cypressbog]

Originally Posted by Boog

3/4 ton suspension maybe?

Uhh, that would be a big fat NO!

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

No 72c10 had disks from the factory period and no one without personal knowledge of this truck can tell you anything further without more detail. Does the seller claim them as factory?

Every '72 c10 had front disc from the factory.

Rg

[Boog]

Originally Posted by cypressbog

Uhh, that would be a big fat NO!

Why would you say that? Are you familiar with that truck?

[jocko]

I'm assuming he said that because the truck in questions has 6 lug wheels. 3/4 ton suspension would give it 8 lug wheels, which nobody has mentioned.
Unless I'm missing something here, which is always a possibility, just ask my wife

[Boog]

True dat!