I have a later model 9 inch rear with 5 4.5 bolt pattern and want to change it to a 5 5.5 bolt pattern to run 35/36 wire wheels how thick does the spacer have to be 1" or 1 1/4 inch? Any help would be great thanks!! 27
If I remember right, you'll need at least 1 1/4 inch. Adapters that are available are about 1 inch thick. If your brake drums are the tapered earlier style (1 3/4, 2 inch shoes) you may have enough clearance. Just have to try it....
I'm doing close to the same thing. They need a spacer even if you upgrade to 5 on 5.5 axles. it's not real thick probably the 1/4 you need. There is a guy here on the HAMB that I got mine from. Check the cl***ifieds. I think he has a bunch of them. I think you could use this spacer with the spacer adapter with maybe slightly longer studs. This setup would push the wheel to far out for my taste. Something i was concerned with that's why i decided to upgrade the axles. But adapters should be able to be made to whatever spec you need. Troy
i did that exact thing on my T, except i'm running 19" A wires. i built these adapters 5-4.5 to 5-5.5 1.25" thick, 8"o.d. i also added a hub centric ring to help keep everything centered. the thickness is just enough to clear the drum.
Dont forget to put a step ring to support the inner part of the wheel. if you forget this,when you tighten the lugs the wheel distorts leading to lugs loosening or wheel failure.
In order to fit the 35 wires on my T with F-100 brakes, I needed a spacer approx 1 1/4 to 1 3/8 thick. I also used a support ring as mentioned.
what about pulling the axles and drums and having them re drilled for the 5 on 5 1/2 pattern, and putting in new wheel studs. any reputable machine shop should be able to handle this im about to have my 9" changed from 5 on 5 1/2 to 5 on 4 1/2. or is there drum clearances issues running '35 wire wheels on a 9"? maybe we can just swap axles and drums, and we'll both be happy
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