This has probably has been asked and discussed before, but here goes.
What is the easiest way to convert my 51 F1 from a 5x5.5 bolt pattern to a 5x4.75 bolt pattern. My truck sits really low so my only issue would be the front wheels clearing the front fenders if I go the "spacer" conversion route. I can get a heck of a deal on a set of tourqe thrust II. They have about a 2" "lip or dish". I'm not exactly sure what the offset is.
Thanks for any links or suggestions.

 

4.75 is a "GM only" pattern. Going with the brake conversion kit up front you can get the common 4.5 pattern (uses Ford Ranger rotors) whereas an even better deal for wheels may come along, since 4.5 is so common. My two cents.

 

another thing to ponder.... two different bolt patterns..... two spares....

john

 

Unless he has a GM rearend.

 

Disc brake swap kits are available in the 4 3/4 bolt pattern. So you can drop $400 on a disc kit, and another couple hundred on a used 10 bolt Camaro rear, plus installation parts, and there's a good platform for your cheap wheels.

 

Have the rotors redrilled. If you don't have discs, get discs and have those drilled.

 

This might be a totally stupid? Could I have my drums re-drilled and remove my old studs and use new studs.

 

I'd make sure the wheels will fit over the center hub before going any further.

 

That's a very good point. Ford trucks have a much larger center hole, for a reason, than most if not all GM vehicles.

 

52 merc has it right. If you also go with a new master cylinder w/ booster for this new setup your looking about 650, plus the cost of the rear if it needs to be rebuilt. Almost seems just as pricey to leave the truck the way it is and buy the rim/tire combo you want in the bolt pattern you have now.

 

I would think ordering custom wheels to your liking would be the easiest fix? Now cheapest fix may have a different answer.

There are many manufactures that have wheels in stock with our bolt patern. Many of them will also do custom should you not like the in stock wheels with the 5x5.5 bolt pattern. There are many other wheel companies that also do custom.

I have the torq thrust 309's on mine they came stock with our 5x5.5 bolt pattern from Jegs, do a search, they look similar to the II's you mention. I have 7 inchers on the front and 8.5 inchers on the rear all 4 with 4 inches of backspace. I paid less than $700 delivered. They can be polished for an extra charge.

 

If you converted to disc brakes on the front, kits are available with the 5x4.75 pattern. That would be the easiest way to convert it and improve your brake system at the same time....

 

John,
I Have 2 bolt patterns, Jag/chevy up front and 9 Inch ford rear. Given the reliability of tires today I many not carry any kind of spare. I can't remember my last flat tire-over 10 years. If I do decide to carry a spare(s) I will carry one with a spacer (which I happen to have).

 

front disc kit from Speedway - $250
brake booster and mastery cylinder - $160
prop valve and residual pressure valves - $100
fabricating your own brake lines - priceless!

MUCH better brakes, and you can pick the bolt pattern you want...

My truck already had a 9 inch rearend installed that has a 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern, so I just changed the front to the same bolt circle

 

If you get the right wheel for a spare you don't even need spacers. Most aftermarket steel wheels are made with both the Chevy and Ford patterns on the same wheel (10 holes). You can find them in swap meets occasionally. I'm running a Chevy rear and a Volare front and the same wheels fit both front and rear. The aftermarket wheels also have a larger center so they fit over Volare and Ford hubs...