Wheel bolt pattern adapters
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Bristol TN.
Wheel bolt pattern adapters
Hey guys, I just recently found a great deal on some cragar wheels and bought them. They are uni lug and fit 5x5, 5x4.75, and 5x4.5. I have 5x4.5 on front end of truck and 5x5.5 on the back. I don't want to go threw changing axles and stuff as I'm trying to stay on a budget. I found 2 billet aluminum adapters for $70 bucks. I researched on this site where if they are torqued to a flat surface of the drum they would work fine. I believe it was julie that discussed this with another person in another thread. Is this ok? I also read something about wheel adapters not being good on DRIVE wheels...which that is what they would be on with my truck (rear wheels). I know they wouldn't make adapters if they didn't work and all that I'm just worried you know. I went to bristol dragway one time and a little fox bodied mustang was doing a burnout and then pow!...his wheel starts to roll down the dragway, they anounced that it was a wheel spacer failure. I'm not going to drag race my truck but still.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Most wheel adapters are not rated for trucks. I suppose this is because trucks are heavier and sometimes carry heavy loads. If you drive your truck normally like a car (no heavy loads and no burnouts or drag racing) you would probably be okay with the wheel adapters. I have used them off and on for many years and have never had a failure. However, you have to be vigilant about keeping the lug nuts tight and they are notorious for making sqeaking noises. I would try to figure out another way and use them only as a last resort...
The guy drag racing with them was NUTS!
The guy drag racing with them was NUTS!
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Riverside, CA
Spacers can be used safely but take a little extra care. First never use spacers made from cast aluminum as these are the ones that blow apart. Good spacers are made from billet aluminum and machined to the exact size. Also, they need to be torqued to a specific spec and after a few hundred miles they should be re-torqued to make sure they are seated. Don't trust your local tire shop to get this correct, check it yourself. They also make what they call hubcentric spacers, which means the center of the wheel fits snugly exactly to the diameter of the hub, which helps keep the wheel centered and balanced. Spacers will also add some width so you will need to measure carefully. Don't look for a deal when shopping for spacers, a good set custom made for your application will probably cost $80 to $120 each or more.
New User
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: sussex, new brunswick CAN
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
I have adapters on my front wheels and have not had any problems since I ground the lip off the brake drum around the lug holes. But that drum has to be absolutely flat. If not, any high spot will start to eat into the billet and subsequently the adapter becomes loose. It (the entire wheel) will fall off in about 30 miles if this happens.
Here's a pic of the ridges I'm talking about around the brake drum stud holes (I just ground them flat on my drums):
So, you need to have absolutely flat brake drums and after about 5 miles of driving, you need to retorque the lug nuts holding on the adapter (and probably check it again at 40 miles) I also used thread lock on those on my truck.
I got my adapters from the Lug Nut King:
Lugnutking
Here's a pic of the ridges I'm talking about around the brake drum stud holes (I just ground them flat on my drums):
So, you need to have absolutely flat brake drums and after about 5 miles of driving, you need to retorque the lug nuts holding on the adapter (and probably check it again at 40 miles) I also used thread lock on those on my truck.
I got my adapters from the Lug Nut King:
Lugnutking
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Auburn, Il
My truck had adapters on it for over 25 years and I didnt even know it untill I ordered my wheels. I would check every so often to make sure the lugs havent come lose on you and as long as you drive normal you should be fine...
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Bristol TN.
Thanks guys I appreciate all the info. So if I torque them correctly and then check them after so many miles and torque again they should be good. Thanks again!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 429
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From: Paso Robles, CA
Many folks confuse wheel spacers and wheel adapters.
Wheel spacers are generally horrible.
Wheel adapters (that bolt to the axle, then new wheel studs attach the wheel.) are fine to use. As mentioned previously, make sure the adapter is securely fastened to the axle.. the full face of the adapter needs to be seated against the drum.
Wheel manufacturers tend to suggest rechecking lug torques for the same reason.
Wheel spacers are generally horrible.
Wheel adapters (that bolt to the axle, then new wheel studs attach the wheel.) are fine to use. As mentioned previously, make sure the adapter is securely fastened to the axle.. the full face of the adapter needs to be seated against the drum.
Wheel manufacturers tend to suggest rechecking lug torques for the same reason.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
Ive got 5 X 5.5 to 5 X 4.5 wheel adapters for my rear wheels. They work great, no probs yet, really havent driven it down the track drag racing, but so far so good. I think mine are 1.25 billet alum. About $65 a piece.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 2
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Wheel adapters
Hey guys, I just recently found a great deal on some cragar wheels and bought them. They are uni lug and fit 5x5, 5x4.75, and 5x4.5. I have 5x4.5 on front end of truck and 5x5.5 on the back. I don't want to go threw changing axles and stuff as I'm trying to stay on a budget. I found 2 billet aluminum adapters for $70 bucks. I researched on this site where if they are torqued to a flat surface of the drum they would work fine. I believe it was julie that discussed this with another person in another thread. Is this ok? I also read something about wheel adapters not being good on DRIVE wheels...which that is what they would be on with my truck (rear wheels). I know they wouldn't make adapters if they didn't work and all that I'm just worried you know. I went to bristol dragway one time and a little fox bodied mustang was doing a burnout and then pow!...his wheel starts to roll down the dragway, they anounced that it was a wheel spacer failure. I'm not going to drag race my truck but still.
Are we there yet?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 64
From: NW Valley AZ
I have billet adapters from this place. They are holding up well.
https://ezaccessory.com/
Don't over torque them and they should fine.
https://ezaccessory.com/
Don't over torque them and they should fine.
TORQUE REFERENCE https://ezaccessory.com/pages/torque-reference
These torque specs are recommended for the installation of all our lug nuts:- 70 ft/lbs for 7/16" lug nuts or studs
- 80 ft/lbs for 12mm lug nuts or studs
- 85 ft/lbs for 1/2" lug nuts or studs
- 95 ft/lbs for 14mm lug nuts or studs
- 130 ft/lbs for 9/16" lug nuts or studs
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