So, I have been blessed with owning a truck previously modified.....The front wheels are stock and I believe them to be a 5 1/2" diameter 5 lug pattern. What is the easiest way to measure to be sure. It looks like the rear might be 5 on 5" (maybe a GM rear end?)
I don't want to have to put a new rear end in the truck, so I also wonder if there are any adapters of any sort to match the from and rear so I only need one spare tire?
Thanks,
doug

 

The bolt pattern or bolt circle is the diameter of an imaginary circle formed by the centers of the wheel lugs. Bolt patterns can be 4, 5, 6, or 8 lug holes. A bolt circle of 4x100 would indicate a 4 lug pattern on a circle with a diameter of 100mm.

The diagram indicates the proper measuring methods. 6 lug wheels are measured like the 4 lug wheels.









<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=175 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#555555 colSpan=2>Conversion Table</TD></TR><TR><TD class=carthead align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>Inches</TD><TD class=carthead align=middle bgColor=#ffffff>Millimeters</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>4 x 3.93</TD><TD align=middle>4 x 100</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>4 x 4.25</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>4 x 107.95</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>4 x 4.33</TD><TD align=middle>4 x 110</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>4 x 4.50</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>4 x 114.3</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>4 x 5.12</TD><TD align=middle>4 x 130</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>4 x 5.51</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>4 x 140</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>5 x 4.00</TD><TD align=middle>5 x 100</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>5 x 4.25</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>5 x 107.95</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>5 x 4.50</TD><TD align=middle>5 x 114.3</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>5 x 4.53</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>5 x 115</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>5 x 4.72</TD><TD align=middle>5 x 120</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>5 x 4.75</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dddddd>5 x 120.65</TD></TR><TR><TD class=carthead align=middle>5 x 5.12</TD><TD class=carthead align=middle>5 x 130</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
For more measuring info:
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/tir...1/article.html

 

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for!!!!

 

Doug,

There are wheel adapters made for just about any application. Summit carries a pretty good selection and most are just $39.95 a pair. Although I have never had problems with adapters some folks here have...so I'd use them only as a last resort and consider matching the front/rear bolt patterns some other way. Also. they are not usually recommended for trucks but if your truck is to be a cruiser and not a work horse carrying heavy loads you can get by with them. I ran adapters on the back of a 36 Ford pickup for years with no problems but I never carried anything heavy in the bed.

 

Thanks Vern. I don't ever plan to haul anything more than a few 2x4's ( and I mean a few) or a little yard maintenance stuff. She's a daily driver, but I don't like to work too hard, if you know what I mean.
I'm planning to do a disk brake conversion soon, and I see that you can order the spindles / rotors for most any size you want. I would like to match the fronts to the rears, since I really don't want to change out the rear end.

 

downloaded this from somewhere... might be helpful... print it out and put it in your wallet for those salvage yard trips..

john






Lug Bolt Patterns:

5 Lug on 4.5” Bolt Circle - 545
This is the standard 5 lug bolt pattern for the vast majority of boat trailer hubs and rims. It is also known as the small Ford bolt pattern.
5 Lug on 4.75” Bolt Circle - 5475
Old Chrysler product and other very limited application. Rims may be hard to find.
5 Lug on 5” Bolt Circle - 550
This is the standard Chevy/GM 5 lug bolt pattern. Due to the wide availability and economical price of these automotive rims, this bolt pattern is found on many utility trailer applications.
5 Lug on 5.5” Bolt Circle - 555
Commonly referred to as the “big” Ford bolt pattern. This rim size is found on many recent year Ford trucks.

 

Ok, the verdict is in.......5 on 5" rear, 5 on 5 1/2" front. ......well I suppose the easiest thing to do is if I put on disk brakes is make the front match the rear. Then buy matching wheels for the front and actually have a spare.....hurrah!

 

I own 2006 2x4 2006 ranger looking buy after market wheels, where the best place look, also will old style pick-up wheels fit.

 

The standard way to measure is from the outside of one lug to the center of the third lug...I know it sounds screwy but that's the standard way it's done on 5 lug patterns.

 

5" bolt pattern, 2 15/16" between lugs, 4 3/4" bolt pattern, 2 3/4" between lugs, 4 1/2" bolt pattern, 2 5/8" between lugs

 

Charlie, the short answer is no/maybe. In 97 Ford went with a metric wheel pattern. You'll need new metric bolt pattern wheels. Only your supplier will be able to tell you if they have an old style wheel. I'm sure somebody makes one.

Guys, this thread is 6 months old.