put this in Doug's post but thought it might get lost... downloaded it from somewhere... thought it might be helpful... print it out and put in your wallet.. might come in handy on those salvage yard trips..

later
john



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.

 

Good stuff! Thanks!

 

That's pretty cool John! I bought this thing off ebay made of red plastic that looks like a big donut with holes in it. You just slip it on and move it around 'till it fits over the bolts. Good idea...

 

I thought I saw that somewhere before......thanks again

 

No wonder those 4.5 lug rims didn't fit my 5.5's. Just kidding!!!! LOL...

 

Great info! Thanks.

Just a couple of notes:
as you said, the small Ford pattern 5 on 4.5 is pretty common and fits most trailers but it also fits Dodge cars and 1/2 ton trucks
5 on 4.75 will fit most most of the mid sized GM products, the bigger cars, light trucks, and vans have the 5 on 5 (I think)

Thanks again
Bobby

 

Some Ford wheels won't fit Chrysler products even though the pattern is the same. I have several in my garage that won't fit the front end of my Volare suspension because the hole in the middle isn't big enough. They fit the rear okay...

 

Another way on a 5 bolt pattern is to measure the distance from the center of one stud the the furthest edge of the adjacent stud = bolt pattern. Very easy to do with a ruler or tape measure even when there is a wheel or a dust cover on the hub.

 

Vern,

Now that you mention it, I've run into that too. Its always something isn't it.

And since we are talking bolt hole patterns and hub diameters, here's on for the big guys. All Ford, Chevy and Dodge 8 hole wheels have the same bolt hole daimeter but the Chevys have a smaller hub so that Ford/Dodge 8 holes will fit GM but gm won't fit Ford/Dodge

Bobby