[Quick66]

I have a 66 Chevrolet C10 truck, and I am currently trying to figure out the best way to change the rear from 6 lug to 5 lug Chevrolet Car pattern. I am aware of drilling out the axles, but I do not know anything about the process or the price. I thought that i had a set of converters, but I was mistaken. I have drum brakes on the rear, and any information or advice is greatly appreciated.

[Bumpstick]

Not sure what would be the best route for changing it to a car pattern...? (assume 5 on 4 3/4" pattern...?) Possibly some custom axles from Moser or...?

It would be alot easier to switch to the 5 on 5 pattern of the later trucks though... (simple axle change to do this...) Also the drums should interchange also...?

One other solution...? What my truck had when I first got it was a Ford 9" also had redrilled rotors on the front...

[custommccannix]

hey there is a lot more simple way. go to www.truckin.com they make custom billet wheel adapters any bolt pattern to any bolt pattern. prices i believe start around $39-up. i have seen them on cars and trucks and never heard any complaints.

if you use aftermarket rims you will be able select the correct backspacing. but if you use stock style rims certain ones may stick out a bit.

good luck.

[39 chev]

I changed my 69 stepside from 6 to 5 so I could run 8" vette ralleys. I used adapters on the front drums, and if I remember right rear axles from a 65 impala slipped right in the truck rear end .I just had to redrillthe drums. to 5 lug pattern. I am not positive about the axles,but I am pretty sure that this is how I did it.

[johnsongrass1]

Redrilling an axle is only $30 per side around these part's.

Consider having it done.

[Quick66]

I'm really not interested in going to truck pattern, because I prefer the wheel selection the car pattern offers me. I've been looking into the Impala axle option though, and that looks promising. As it turns out, the axles from a 65-70 impala will work. I think I really need to find a better machinist. I went to mine and talked to him about it, and he said that it couldn't be done. Can't imagine why he said that.

[66GMC]

Originally Posted by Quick66

I'm really not interested in going to truck pattern, because I prefer the wheel selection the car pattern offers me. I've been looking into the Impala axle option though, and that looks promising. As it turns out, the axles from a 65-70 impala will work. I think I really need to find a better machinist. I went to mine and talked to him about it, and he said that it couldn't be done. Can't imagine why he said that.

Hmmm, interesting thread...
I was looking at exactly the same scenario with my 66 GMC ... here's what I found:

I was also compelled to change to 5-stud in order to improve the wheel selection as you have mentioned, but have convinced myself that there are plenty of 6-stud choices as well (Toyota and 70's/80's GM 4x4's, as well as late-model (i.e. 2000 C1500 2wd) trucks have the same 6-bolt pattern), and that the 6-stud design is both stronger and gives my truck more "period-correct character".

66 (12-bolt) has 30-1/2" long axles, but the newer 5-lug axles are 31-9/32"

Superior axle MAKES a conversion axle to convert to 5-lug truck.
http://superioraxle.com/pdffolder/su...atalog2004.pdf

CPP makes 6-lug rotors that fit on the 71-87 stock spindles.
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...ruck/CP4R5.htm

This is the route that I'm going. I actually installed a front suspension clip from a 1976(?) C10. (See my project journal ... it was a fairly easy swap)
I have ordered the rotors and they're here now, but I haven't installed them yet. Other than that, I'm at the "rolling chassis" stage.

The larger rear brakes (11-5/32" x 2-3/4") will bolt right on as well, and you can use 4x4 (6-stud) rear drums with this setup to gain a little more stopping power. The stock rims will NOT clear the fins on those drums, however.

I'm thinking that perhaps your machinist said what he did because of differences in the hub diameter? I would expect that the truck axles have a larger "pilot" diameter at the wheel center contact area. (I hope I'm describing this clearly enough for you to understand what I mean)

6-stud axles have a 5.5" (?) bolt circle, while the cars have what 4.75" (?)
If I've assumed these pattern sizes correctly, that would mean that all studs would have to be drilled 3/8" closer to the center, which may not leave enough room to clear the center?

Don