How do you measure wheel bolt pattern.

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Dec 19, 2004 | 08:35 AM

Walston

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From: Greenville, SC

How do you measure wheel bolt pattern.

Forgive my ignorance, but I am trying to determine the wheel bolt pattern size that is on my truck. 160 F-100. If I measue the center of bolt circle it looks to be 5 1/2 inch. Am I doing this correctly?

Dec 19, 2004 | 08:37 AM

himmelberg

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From: Midland, Texas

Yes. That is correct. himmelberg

Dec 19, 2004 | 09:04 AM

truckfarmer

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From: Illinois

Ford F100/F150 used the 5 1/2" bolt pattern from 1948-96. The quickest way I have ever used to measure the bolt circle on 5 lugs is to measure across the wheel, from the center of one lug to the outside of the oppsosite lug.

Dec 19, 2004 | 12:35 PM

oldfordtrucker

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It sounds like you have your answer: 5 1/2 inches. Wheel shops and other places have a "ruler" that measures from the center of one bolt hole to the adjacent bolt hole that specifies what diameter bolt pattern you have based on the distance from bolt hole to bolt hole. It is easy and accurate. Once you have one, you can run copies on and give them to your friends. I have one that is on the back of a business card.

Dec 19, 2004 | 07:55 PM

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

Measuring from one bolt to the adjacent one (center-to-center) the differences aren't as distinct as when you measure to the second bolt away; these are the numbers:

Bolt circle........ Distance to next ...............Distance to 2nd
5-1/2" .................3.23 ..............................5.23
5" .......................2.939 ............................4.76
4-3/4" .................2.792 ............................4.52
4-1/2" .................2.645 ............................4.28

It's roughly a 1/4" difference when you skip a bolt, not much chance for error. (This is for 5-bolt wheels only, 4 bolt are simple)

-- Ross

Last edited by ALBUQ F-1; Dec 19, 2004 at 08:00 PM. Reason: additional text

Dec 20, 2004 | 05:23 AM

Walston

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Cargo Master

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From: Greenville, SC

This is great, Thanks Ross

Dec 20, 2004 | 04:27 PM

theGman

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From: Waynesboro, Virginia

The standard way to measure on a 5 bolt wheel is from the back of one to the center of the 2nd bolt hole. See this site for a lot of cool info:

http://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html